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softrosemint's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and engaging exploration of the transformation of African beliefs and traditions and their translation into pre-abolition US. The short story manages to successfully incorporate this into a commentary on slavery, taking advantage of both the core narrative of the story and a series of 4th-wall-breaking notes that appear to act as editor comments by the (presumed) author's father. In that sense, I imagine Wilson also opens a dialogue with his own heritage. It is a multi-layered gem of a story.
ominousspectre's review
challenging
dark
tense
4.75
*Mind the content warnings!*
I loved Sorcerer of the Wildeeps, so seeing Kai Ashante Wilson's writing style paired with horror is such a treat. Truly one of my top authors to look out for right now.
This can be a tough one if you're someone who hates non-linear storytelling, but I especially like that for horror. The mix of magic and historical events worked really well, especially for this theme of the loss of generational stories and how that harms the community. I get very existential about cultural loss ALOT, so this itched something.
The cherry on top is the dad's notes throughout the story, especially his suggestions/edits. I loved that touch so much.
I loved Sorcerer of the Wildeeps, so seeing Kai Ashante Wilson's writing style paired with horror is such a treat. Truly one of my top authors to look out for right now.
This can be a tough one if you're someone who hates non-linear storytelling, but I especially like that for horror. The mix of magic and historical events worked really well, especially for this theme of the loss of generational stories and how that harms the community. I get very existential about cultural loss ALOT, so this itched something.
The cherry on top is the dad's notes throughout the story, especially his suggestions/edits. I loved that touch so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual violence, and Slavery
dude_eternal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
tietie's review
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
saltycorpse's review
4.0
I went into this thinking it was a novel, but really it is a short story. I think it would have benefitted from either being part of an anthology or being fleshed out into a novel. Still, it was a really well-written, fucked up, dark, intense story and I hope Kai Ashante Wilson writes more, because it's good shit. When horror and horrific true history meet, it can be a punch to the gut, which is what The Devil in America is.
chirson's review
4.0
When I finished this utterly unsettling, strikingly original and deeply creepy story, I started wondering whose writing it reminded me of. I couldn't put my finger on it until, scrolling down the page on Tor, I noticed a link to Wilson's appreciation of Lanagan. Of course. Wilson praises Lanagan for "that class of consolation available only from fiction that attends to life’s most painful aspects without flinching" - this is what Wilson does in this short story, so compelling and horrifying. I'm not a reader of horror (now that I'm no longer 12 and know better), but there is a very special kind of pleasure to be had from reading something that creeps you out, a pleasure known to children reading the scariest of fairy tales--or, in my case, way too much Catholic propaganda about demonic possession. So I was clearly predisposed to enjoy this.
I don't think all the elements of the story quite fit together perfectly (the metafictional fragments in particular feel a little gimmick-y), but all the same, it was fascinating and terrifying. (Recommended fiction pairing: either Lanagan or Veronica Schanoes's Burning Girls, for more on creepy deals you can't get out of easily.)
I don't think all the elements of the story quite fit together perfectly (the metafictional fragments in particular feel a little gimmick-y), but all the same, it was fascinating and terrifying. (Recommended fiction pairing: either Lanagan or Veronica Schanoes's Burning Girls, for more on creepy deals you can't get out of easily.)