A review by aliciagw
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A novella which is based upon H.P. Lovecraft's "A Horror at Red Hook".  It is told from the perspective of a Black man named Charles Thomas Tester, who ends up being known as, I'm sure your guessed it, Black Tom.

I found it to be an interesting and exciting story, written and told well.  It was a quick read.

I had not actually read "A Horror at Red Hook" prior to reading this story, and I don't think it is really necessary.  The story stands well on it's own.  I ended up reading Red Hook after this, and found it a bit disappointing compared to this story.  I've never really been a Lovecraft fan I guess.