MAN GONE DONE by Michael Thomas (Grove Atlantic, 2007)
In this debut novel a broke, educated black writer crashes at a wealthy friend’s house in NYC, while his white wife and bi-racial children stay with his wealthy mother-in-law outside of Boston. Ever conscious of race, gentrification and his own poverty, the narrator laments not teaching, not writing and his inability to land a job to pay the rent and tuition. Depressed, often bitter and in a funk, he ends up working temporary construction while resisting the temptations of drink and sexual seduction. Via a series of flashbacks to his broken, bi-racial childhood in Boston, he wonders if he is “too damaged” to achieve happiness and success. He is cynical and hostile, edgy and self-conscious – not terribly likeable. Brimming with introspection and moments of intensely rendered detail – New York City especially comes to life – in the end, this story lacks real, compelling action (7/10).
No comments:
Post a Comment