A review by eggbeater
Deacon King Kong by James McBride

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this book. It was a 5 star book for me until the ending ruined the perfection. This line alone took it down a star:

"What is a woman but her labor and her children?"

That sentence made me livid. It was totally out a character and a disgusting opinion. No man decides what women are worth.

There were other things at the end that I did not appreciate, but I don't want to spoil it. I will just say that as an atheist, certain crap makes me roll my eyes.

However, I appreciated the humor and sense of community surrounding the church that is very much a central part of this book. I adored these characters like they were my own neighbors. At first it seemed like I had to go to a lot of effort to keep track of everybody, but it was worth the small challenge. I was highly entertained and felt transported to the New York projects in 1969.

I just so regret the ending.