Deacon King Kong, James McBride, Riverhead Books, 2020, 365 pp
I read this for the reading group I call Carol's Group. I was excited because my husband loved it and it got great reviews. Well, I had a hard time getting going with it. Lots of characters and and time shifts.
Deacon King Kong is a deacon in a predominately Black neighborhood church located near the projects in 1960s south Brooklyn. He is also a drunk who stays mildly intoxicated all day long on a concoction his best friend brews up and calls King Kong.
The entire neighborhood scene is humorously chaotic with some sad overtones. Many of the characters have nicknames. The Deacon's is Sportcoat. Mixed in are Latinos and Italian mobsters. Plus there are drug dealers, a murder or two, cops, love affairs and at least two mysteries.
That was a lot to keep track of but once I got past the feeling that the story was just spinning its wheels, I came to enjoy it and wanted to find out how it would end.
James McBride does not simplify what life is like among these people for the reader. I approve of that. Life in any community is messy. His characters are not stereotypes, but rich and complicated. Nothing is black and white for anyone and that is not a pun. However, Black lives are unique in their own way and the novel makes both of these truths quite clear.
I am glad I read it. I feel I understand some things I did not have clear before.
There are neighbourhoods and lifestyles we can barely imagine!
ReplyDeleteSo true, David.
DeleteI have an audio review download of this one so I hope to start it soon.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Deletei'd give this one a try just out of curiousity...
ReplyDeleteI hope you do!
DeleteI'm glad you were ultimately able to enjoy the book. I agree there is a lot happening there and the community portrayed is a complex and changing one. Nonfiction books on the Black experience in America have been best-sellers this year, but McBride's books are a good example of why I feel that I often get more enlightenment from fiction. The fiction writer is free to emphasize certain points in order to better explicate an issue. That's what the best fiction does.
ReplyDeleteI agree, completely, Dorothy. I think the nonfiction books are important too because some people just don't read much fiction, though I wish they would for the reasons you mention.
DeleteHey! Some of us just don't like fiction!
DeleteOkay, I am kidding because we all know I have been reading more and more fiction lately. I will make room for this one down the road.
It's all good, Sarah.
DeleteThis sounds an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteEspecially for Americans! But for anyone who wants to see how the races get along.
DeleteI really want to read this! I watched James McBride's live Q&A with the National Book Festival online yesterday. He's been one of my favorite authors for years. I'm sure you can still watch him on the National Book Fest website of you're interested! He was comfortingly optimistic about our political situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will find that Q&A! I could use some optimism about now.
DeleteIt sounds, at the very least, like an entertaining read!
ReplyDeleteYes, you could say that.
DeleteThis book sounds like a book you have to be very focused on to be able to remember everyone's nicknames and plot. I'm not really sure if this is a book I can be reading half asleep! Regardless, it sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
DeleteVery thoughtful review, Judy. Sounds like a beautifully complicated work of art.
ReplyDeleteI too have troubles often with novels that have lots of characters and time shifts and (for me) nicknames ... so I haven't been drawn to pick this one up -- though it's gotten great reviews etc. I think I'd like to try some of McBride's other books first ... which I still haven't gotten to -- but still intend to. thanks for your honest review.
ReplyDeleteI first read his memoir, The Color of Water. It is astonishing and great. I also really liked The Good Lord Bird.
DeleteNice review, Judy! I have DEACON KING KONG in my 'to be read' pile and will hopefully read it next year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! I am sure you will enjoy it.
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