Scan barcode
A review by apollo0325
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
I love seeing modern takes on Lovecraftian/cosmic horror in a vast array of media because people can take this literature that is chest deep in racism and xenophobia and class to breathe it new life. I had high hopes for the Ballad of Black Tom, but I think it falls into the inherit problems of Lovecraft’s work.
The character motivations are messy and confusing and/or characters are simply one dimensional with no substance and simply lets the story happen to them. The vagueness can be effective, but I felt in the Ballad of Black Tom, it didn’t work in its favor. This story didn’t scratch the cosmic horror itch I was hoping, and it’s probably been one of my most disappointing reads of this year alongside the Last Tale of the Flower Bride.
It’s very short though so that’s a plus.
The character motivations are messy and confusing and/or characters are simply one dimensional with no substance and simply lets the story happen to them. The vagueness can be effective, but I felt in the Ballad of Black Tom, it didn’t work in its favor. This story didn’t scratch the cosmic horror itch I was hoping, and it’s probably been one of my most disappointing reads of this year alongside the Last Tale of the Flower Bride.
It’s very short though so that’s a plus.