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willrefuge's review against another edition
3.0
3.0 / 5 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2020/09/06/the-awkward-black-man-by-walter-mosley-review/
The Awkward Black Man collects the stories of Walter Mosley, an author who’s been telling stories of inner city African American men since before I was born. While I’ve read some of his science fiction, it’s his mysteries that have always drawn my attention. My dad introduced me to Mosley’s books about a decade ago, when he started me on the Easy Rawlins series. While i was never the fan that my father was, I enjoyed some few of Mosley’s books because of the culture that they referenced were so dissimilar to my own.
Most of the narrators are black men (unsurprisingly), and most of them are also awkward. You can glean as much from the title. While Walter Mosley doesn’t shy away from talking about the disparity of racism, neither does he neglect that the bigotry cuts both ways. But while the Awkward Black Man isn’t about race, but it’s also not not about race. Prejudice colors the undercurrents of many of the tales. While sometimes it’s overt, other times it’s casual. It was always depressing.
Mostly these are just stories about life. Not how to live, nor how not to live. Mostly just how to be human. The characters within are entirely human (save the science fiction), which is probably the best thing I can say about the book itself. It paints a realistic picture of life—one that could be anyone’s life, and might as well be.
Several of these stories were just depressing, though. Some even seemed pointless. Rufus and Frank both appeared multiple times, enough that I learned that I didn’t want their lives, even though they proved to be equal parts entertaining, exciting, depressing and super, super awkward. Another thing to note is that I’ve never been a fan of the author’s science fiction—mostly it seems too far out there, too unrealistic, even silly—and the few scifi reads within didn’t disprove this.
My favorite stories were: Almost Ayce, where a man’s life spirals out from under him, but he does his best to claw it back, while staying true to himself. Between Storms, when a disaster strikes, a man’s life takes an unexpected turn, but when it is pulled from the ashes, he must decide whether or not to own up to the fear that led him to the brink. Local Hero, about a boy who always idolized his cousin, and what happened when that idol was laid low. Reply to a Dead Man, which reminded me of several different movies, and yet fit none of them.
TL;DR
The Awkward Black Man paints a realistic picture of life—be it through the eyes of an old, black man, dying in his bed; a young, white woman who is shallow but not awful; a young, black man that has the life he’s always wanted, even if it isn’t his own; and many more. There exists racism within, yes, but it’s a double-edged sword, one that proves horrid no matter which end you’re on. Walter Mosley has never shied away from the awkwardness of race—and why would he start now? But while some of these stories center around racism, few of them are defined by it. Some are depressing for the racism within. A lot are just depressing. Others are ridiculous. Some are even pointless. But most are at least humanizing. At the end of the day, these are stories about people being people. A decent read—even if several of them are really depressing.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2020/09/06/the-awkward-black-man-by-walter-mosley-review/
The Awkward Black Man collects the stories of Walter Mosley, an author who’s been telling stories of inner city African American men since before I was born. While I’ve read some of his science fiction, it’s his mysteries that have always drawn my attention. My dad introduced me to Mosley’s books about a decade ago, when he started me on the Easy Rawlins series. While i was never the fan that my father was, I enjoyed some few of Mosley’s books because of the culture that they referenced were so dissimilar to my own.
Most of the narrators are black men (unsurprisingly), and most of them are also awkward. You can glean as much from the title. While Walter Mosley doesn’t shy away from talking about the disparity of racism, neither does he neglect that the bigotry cuts both ways. But while the Awkward Black Man isn’t about race, but it’s also not not about race. Prejudice colors the undercurrents of many of the tales. While sometimes it’s overt, other times it’s casual. It was always depressing.
Mostly these are just stories about life. Not how to live, nor how not to live. Mostly just how to be human. The characters within are entirely human (save the science fiction), which is probably the best thing I can say about the book itself. It paints a realistic picture of life—one that could be anyone’s life, and might as well be.
Several of these stories were just depressing, though. Some even seemed pointless. Rufus and Frank both appeared multiple times, enough that I learned that I didn’t want their lives, even though they proved to be equal parts entertaining, exciting, depressing and super, super awkward. Another thing to note is that I’ve never been a fan of the author’s science fiction—mostly it seems too far out there, too unrealistic, even silly—and the few scifi reads within didn’t disprove this.
My favorite stories were: Almost Ayce, where a man’s life spirals out from under him, but he does his best to claw it back, while staying true to himself. Between Storms, when a disaster strikes, a man’s life takes an unexpected turn, but when it is pulled from the ashes, he must decide whether or not to own up to the fear that led him to the brink. Local Hero, about a boy who always idolized his cousin, and what happened when that idol was laid low. Reply to a Dead Man, which reminded me of several different movies, and yet fit none of them.
TL;DR
The Awkward Black Man paints a realistic picture of life—be it through the eyes of an old, black man, dying in his bed; a young, white woman who is shallow but not awful; a young, black man that has the life he’s always wanted, even if it isn’t his own; and many more. There exists racism within, yes, but it’s a double-edged sword, one that proves horrid no matter which end you’re on. Walter Mosley has never shied away from the awkwardness of race—and why would he start now? But while some of these stories center around racism, few of them are defined by it. Some are depressing for the racism within. A lot are just depressing. Others are ridiculous. Some are even pointless. But most are at least humanizing. At the end of the day, these are stories about people being people. A decent read—even if several of them are really depressing.
bunnyb11's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ggrillion's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
queenjojo7's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nairobit's review against another edition
5.0
What a great collection of short stories. It’s so rare to hear the black male voice in literature, so glad that I read this.
constantreader471's review against another edition
3.0
I was drawn to this book because I had read 2 previous mystery books by this author. I like to read mysteries. However these short stories are not mysteries, but character studies, each one about an "Awkward Black Man" in today's American society. These short stories were uneven, ranging from depressing, about a homeless alcoholic, to the paranormal. In some cases, the man achieves a better place in life.
This quote is from the book blurb: "Mosley presents exceptional characters as they struggle to move through the world and navigate relationships, and paints a subtle, powerful portrait of each of these remarkable black people."
The stories do give the reader some insight into the lives and perspective of Black people in the US today.
One quote: "But a man like me, a man whose ancestors were kidnapped, chained, and dragged over here centuries ago is not and cannot be a hyphenate. At least not the kind of hyphenate that you say. You might call me an Abductee American, an originally Unwilling American. You might say that I'm a partly Disenfranchised American."
3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheAwkwardBlackMan #NetGalley
This quote is from the book blurb: "Mosley presents exceptional characters as they struggle to move through the world and navigate relationships, and paints a subtle, powerful portrait of each of these remarkable black people."
The stories do give the reader some insight into the lives and perspective of Black people in the US today.
One quote: "But a man like me, a man whose ancestors were kidnapped, chained, and dragged over here centuries ago is not and cannot be a hyphenate. At least not the kind of hyphenate that you say. You might call me an Abductee American, an originally Unwilling American. You might say that I'm a partly Disenfranchised American."
3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheAwkwardBlackMan #NetGalley
bellygames's review against another edition
4.0
Walter Mosley is a supremely talented writer. There is something so tender in the way he handles the men in these stories, and the ones focused on friendship were my favorite.
Confession: at the halfway mark of the book I'd decided this collection was not for me, but I kept reading because the writing was good and I was hoping I'd eventually come across a story that resonated with me. I'm glad I decided to stick with it, because I loved almost the entire second half of the collection.
There are a lot of reoccurring themes here. Unfaithful wives and older men having affairs with women decades younger. But there are also themes of loneliness, race, and depression from a viewpoint outside of the scope I'm familiar with. I'm grateful to have been given a look.
Confession: at the halfway mark of the book I'd decided this collection was not for me, but I kept reading because the writing was good and I was hoping I'd eventually come across a story that resonated with me. I'm glad I decided to stick with it, because I loved almost the entire second half of the collection.
There are a lot of reoccurring themes here. Unfaithful wives and older men having affairs with women decades younger. But there are also themes of loneliness, race, and depression from a viewpoint outside of the scope I'm familiar with. I'm grateful to have been given a look.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
3.0
A bleak collection of stories about black men. Beautiful, but also very dark.
Stories seemed to blend together after a while
Stories seemed to blend together after a while
zellm's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Mosley's range is evident here, in stories that range from speculative fiction to historical to coming of age and beyond. They are all so well told, with such relatable and well-rounded characters. I loved just about every story in this book, and walked away from some of them saying out loud "holy crap, that was fantastic". Mosley is an extremely talented author, and these stories were such great snapshots of the lives of unique and diverse black men.
nuhafariha's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Now available.
One of my current regrets is that I haven't come across legendary Black author Walter Mosley until this collection of short stories. By turns bizarre, comedic and tragic, "The Awkward Black Man" is a series of musings by an aging Black man. Every story has a powerful voice, a new perspective, a wild plot chase. My personal favorite was the love affair with mad scientist who kept altering people to achieve their "God Potential". What a tongue in cheek, adventurous narrative! Like the best literature, "Awkward Black Man" is a collection that will force you to look at the world just a little bit differently, with newer, fresher eyes and perhaps a little jolt of energy. Take a walk with Walter Mosley and you might never know where you'll end up.
Now available.
One of my current regrets is that I haven't come across legendary Black author Walter Mosley until this collection of short stories. By turns bizarre, comedic and tragic, "The Awkward Black Man" is a series of musings by an aging Black man. Every story has a powerful voice, a new perspective, a wild plot chase. My personal favorite was the love affair with mad scientist who kept altering people to achieve their "God Potential". What a tongue in cheek, adventurous narrative! Like the best literature, "Awkward Black Man" is a collection that will force you to look at the world just a little bit differently, with newer, fresher eyes and perhaps a little jolt of energy. Take a walk with Walter Mosley and you might never know where you'll end up.