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A review by dustyloup
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
adventurous
dark
3.5
3.5 * another one read for book riot's read harder challenge 2020. " Retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color. "
My biggest exposure to the Lovecraft universe has been through boardgames and card games, like Arkham Horror. So for me this story was like the Jim Culver character come to life.
In the end I liked Tommy's backstory more than the story of black Tom, mostly because afterwards the story suddenly shifts to Malone's perspective, which now that I read a bit more about the story it's based on (murder at red hook), I *guess* it makes sense but it was supposed to turn the Lovecraft genre on its head and in fact returned the agency and perspective into Malone's hands.
I really like how it critiques today's issues around race and immigration, while looking back at the historical context. The historical backdrop of the 20s was much more interesting to me than the horror elements.
My biggest exposure to the Lovecraft universe has been through boardgames and card games, like Arkham Horror. So for me this story was like the Jim Culver character come to life.
In the end I liked Tommy's backstory more than the story of black Tom, mostly because afterwards the story suddenly shifts to Malone's perspective, which now that I read a bit more about the story it's based on (murder at red hook), I *guess* it makes sense but it was supposed to turn the Lovecraft genre on its head and in fact returned the agency and perspective into Malone's hands.
I really like how it critiques today's issues around race and immigration, while looking back at the historical context. The historical backdrop of the 20s was much more interesting to me than the horror elements.