Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Tor.com (2016). Presumed first edition. 152 pages. $13.99.
Description
People move to New York looking for magic and nothing will convince them it isn't there. Charles Thomas Tester hustles to put food on the table, keep the roof over his father's head, from Harlem to Flushing Meadows to Red Hook. He knows what magic a suit can cast, the invisibility a guitar case can provide, and the curse written on his skin that attracts the eyes of wealthy white folks and their cops. But when he delivers an occult tome to a reclusive sorceress in the heart of Queens, Tom opens a door to a deeper realm of magic, and earns the attention of things best left sleeping. A storm that might swallow the world is building in Brooklyn. Will Black Tom live to see it break?
User reviews
LibraryThing member andreablythe
The Ballad of Black Tom is a fitting tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. It’s a novella that draws up the doom-ridden horror of the elder gods, while also addressing the unsettling prejudice of Lovecraft’s writing. “I grew up worshipping the guy so this issue felt quite personal to me,” explained
The story centers around Tommy Tester, a young black man in 1920s Harlem. In order to avoid the hard life his father led as a laborer, Tommy turns to hustling in order to make his living. He has learned to disguise himself, donning a suit, a guitar case, and a shuffling step to mask himself against the watchful eyes white folks and the cops, who might see him as threatening otherwise. He knows how to put on a bit of theater and draw in a certain subset of clientele. But after he delivers an occult tome (with a page conveniently missing) to a reclusive sorceress in Queens, he earns her wrath, which brings destruction down on him and leads him into awakening powers best left sleeping.
Racism serves as an ever present backdrop, a constant shadow laid across the vivid descriptions of Harlem and other regions of New York that make their appearance. This racism takes several forms, both subtle and overt, from the cops who hassle him and steal his money to the patronizing rich white man who promises “salvation” for the downtrodden. Some of these moments are eerily familiar to current events. This is an intricate part of what makes this story so horrifying. If the world is so hateful, then how can ancient, powerful, and indifferent beings be any worse? Thus, Tom’s descent into darkness is frightening, blood soaked, and to a certain extent understandable.
The Ballad of Black Tom is fast read and a brilliant horror story.
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Victor LaValle. “I wanted to write a story set in the Lovecraftian universe that didn’t gloss over the uglier implications of his worldview.”The story centers around Tommy Tester, a young black man in 1920s Harlem. In order to avoid the hard life his father led as a laborer, Tommy turns to hustling in order to make his living. He has learned to disguise himself, donning a suit, a guitar case, and a shuffling step to mask himself against the watchful eyes white folks and the cops, who might see him as threatening otherwise. He knows how to put on a bit of theater and draw in a certain subset of clientele. But after he delivers an occult tome (with a page conveniently missing) to a reclusive sorceress in Queens, he earns her wrath, which brings destruction down on him and leads him into awakening powers best left sleeping.
Racism serves as an ever present backdrop, a constant shadow laid across the vivid descriptions of Harlem and other regions of New York that make their appearance. This racism takes several forms, both subtle and overt, from the cops who hassle him and steal his money to the patronizing rich white man who promises “salvation” for the downtrodden. Some of these moments are eerily familiar to current events. This is an intricate part of what makes this story so horrifying. If the world is so hateful, then how can ancient, powerful, and indifferent beings be any worse? Thus, Tom’s descent into darkness is frightening, blood soaked, and to a certain extent understandable.
The Ballad of Black Tom is fast read and a brilliant horror story.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I borrowed this as an audiobook from my library.
Audiobook Quality (4/5): This audiobook was well done and pleasant to listen to. No complaints about the audiobook quality.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this quite a bit. This was a unique book with some good
Charles Thomas Tester (Tom) hustles to put food on the table for him and his father in their house in Harlem. Then Tom runs a job delivering an occult book to a mysterious old woman and next thing he knows he’s getting paid big money to sing for a strange old man. That’s when things get real odd and Tom finds himself dealing with events both eldritch and evil.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The first part of the book is told by Tom and then we switch to a private investigator for a bit. Both viewpoints are interesting. This was a great look at 1920’s Harlem through a black man’s eyes. It was also an excellent look at how immigrants were treated in New York City at the time. Additionally, I liked the creepy descent into evil and realities not quite of this earth.
This is a somewhat subtle read but also strangely vicious at parts. I found the journey Tom took to be fascinating. I think the ending has just enough closure to wrap things up well but it also leaves you wondering about both the future of New York City and Tom just a bit.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well done historical fantasy. I enjoyed both the 1920’s New York setting and the heavy Lovecraft elements throughout. The whole story is well done and really makes you think. I would recommend this to those who enjoy Lovecraft retellings or are intrigued by the idea of a dark fantasy set in the 1920’s.
Audiobook Quality (4/5): This audiobook was well done and pleasant to listen to. No complaints about the audiobook quality.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this quite a bit. This was a unique book with some good
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history and some Lovecraft overtones to it as well. In fact, it is a retelling of “The Horror at Red Hook” by Lovecraft. Charles Thomas Tester (Tom) hustles to put food on the table for him and his father in their house in Harlem. Then Tom runs a job delivering an occult book to a mysterious old woman and next thing he knows he’s getting paid big money to sing for a strange old man. That’s when things get real odd and Tom finds himself dealing with events both eldritch and evil.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The first part of the book is told by Tom and then we switch to a private investigator for a bit. Both viewpoints are interesting. This was a great look at 1920’s Harlem through a black man’s eyes. It was also an excellent look at how immigrants were treated in New York City at the time. Additionally, I liked the creepy descent into evil and realities not quite of this earth.
This is a somewhat subtle read but also strangely vicious at parts. I found the journey Tom took to be fascinating. I think the ending has just enough closure to wrap things up well but it also leaves you wondering about both the future of New York City and Tom just a bit.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well done historical fantasy. I enjoyed both the 1920’s New York setting and the heavy Lovecraft elements throughout. The whole story is well done and really makes you think. I would recommend this to those who enjoy Lovecraft retellings or are intrigued by the idea of a dark fantasy set in the 1920’s.
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LibraryThing member crtsjffrsn
Charles Thomas "Tommy" Hester is a hustler, doing what he needs to do to survive and support his father. Life is what it is, after all. And as someone who lives in the underbelly of New York City, he's met his share of shady, sinister, and mysterious types. He's even benefitted a bit from those
I will admit that I have not read much Lovecraft. And that which I have read I have not found to be particularly enjoyable. It has never really grabbed me, and I have never connected with the work. So I am skeptical when I approach a work that is adapted/derived/etc. from a Lovecraft story. But there is absolutely no reason to hesitate here. Victor LaValle has taken inspiration from the original story to create something that reads as original itself, is rich with character development and world-building, and serves as a strong example of good storytelling. Well worth a read.
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encounters at times too. But some forces should not be messed with. And we should also be careful about being too quick to judge or jump to our own conclusions.I will admit that I have not read much Lovecraft. And that which I have read I have not found to be particularly enjoyable. It has never really grabbed me, and I have never connected with the work. So I am skeptical when I approach a work that is adapted/derived/etc. from a Lovecraft story. But there is absolutely no reason to hesitate here. Victor LaValle has taken inspiration from the original story to create something that reads as original itself, is rich with character development and world-building, and serves as a strong example of good storytelling. Well worth a read.
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LibraryThing member allison_s
A savvy update on the Cthulhu Mythos, specifically Lovecraft's "The Horror at Red Hook". Topical, chilling, and my 2nd favorite Tor.com novella to-date.
LibraryThing member melmore
I am about halfway through this book and so far, it is brilliant. I stopped after the first chapter and went back to reread Lovecraft’s “The Horror at Red Hook,” since this novel is essentially a reboot of that story from the perspective of a minor character, a working-class African American
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musician. Not only does LaVelle do a fantastic job of recreating the creepy, mournful atmosphere of Lovecraft’s work, but his exploration of race, racism, and social geography are nothing short of genius. Go read it! Show Less
LibraryThing member wvlibrarydude
LaValle addresses the racist beliefs of Lovecraft while still honoring the literary mythos that he created. With rhythmical timing and characters that are built on observation and little narration, LaValle paints a truly engrossing horror story.
LibraryThing member sturlington
Charles Thomas Tester is a hustler in New York City in 1924, duping white passersby into thinking he is an authentic black blues singer, when he really only knows three songs. He is hired to bring a certain book to an old white woman, but knowing the book's power, he removes the last page before he
Okay, I did know this was Lovecraftian before I read it. LaValle was a childhood fan of Lovecraft's stories, and this is both his homage to Lovecraft and his rebuttal of Lovecraft's undeniable racism. It is a retelling of one of Lovecraft's most notoriously xenophobic stories, "The Horror at Red Hook," which I have never read, nor do I want to read it. However, I think some familiarity with the original story would be helpful in reading LaValle's novella; I just read a couple of Internet summaries. LaValle very cleverly turns Lovecraft in on itself to offer a different version of events, one that underscores the racism of the time as it really existed and in the writing and reading of Lovecraft and others. LaValle is a good writer, with a nice sense of character and place, and this story is just long enough to make its point.
But... As with all things Lovecraftian, I find myself unmoved. Cthulhu just does not impress me. Perhaps it was because I, unlike every other horror writer and fan, never read much Lovecraft as a child, and I find him practically unreadable as an adult, although I certainly recognize his influence in so much of the horror I read and do enjoy. Cthulhu and its associated mythologies are just too outlandish for me to buy into, I think. So while I did appreciate this story for what LaValle was doing and for the quality of his writing, it really didn't horrify me.
This was the first story by LaValle I have read, and I look forward to reading more of his work.
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delivers it. This brings the wrath of the NYPD down on his family and also attracts the notice of Suydam, who shows Tester what real black magic is. Tester, now 'Black Tom,' becomes Suydam's right-hand man in his quest to open a portal to Outside and let the old gods back in.Okay, I did know this was Lovecraftian before I read it. LaValle was a childhood fan of Lovecraft's stories, and this is both his homage to Lovecraft and his rebuttal of Lovecraft's undeniable racism. It is a retelling of one of Lovecraft's most notoriously xenophobic stories, "The Horror at Red Hook," which I have never read, nor do I want to read it. However, I think some familiarity with the original story would be helpful in reading LaValle's novella; I just read a couple of Internet summaries. LaValle very cleverly turns Lovecraft in on itself to offer a different version of events, one that underscores the racism of the time as it really existed and in the writing and reading of Lovecraft and others. LaValle is a good writer, with a nice sense of character and place, and this story is just long enough to make its point.
But... As with all things Lovecraftian, I find myself unmoved. Cthulhu just does not impress me. Perhaps it was because I, unlike every other horror writer and fan, never read much Lovecraft as a child, and I find him practically unreadable as an adult, although I certainly recognize his influence in so much of the horror I read and do enjoy. Cthulhu and its associated mythologies are just too outlandish for me to buy into, I think. So while I did appreciate this story for what LaValle was doing and for the quality of his writing, it really didn't horrify me.
This was the first story by LaValle I have read, and I look forward to reading more of his work.
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LibraryThing member lavaturtle
I'd been looking forward to reading The Ballad of Black Tom since I heard about it: a Black author re-imagines one of Lovecraft's stories, tackling Lovecraft's racism head-on in the process. I read the book in one sitting on Saturday. It's about Horrors Man Was Not Meant To Know, but it's also
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about racism and police violence. It's set in the 1920s, but it's fresh and relevant now. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone even a little familiar with Lovecraftian horror. Show Less
LibraryThing member CarlosMcRey
Interesting retelling of The Horror at Red Hook, shifting much of the emphasis to an African-American confederate of Robert Suydam.
In lieu of an analysis, here are strong and weak points --
Strong:
LaValle treats the themes of immigrants and poverty in early 20th century New York with much greater
The characterization is solid.
The plot moves nicely and keeps the tension up.
Weak:
The prose is serviceable but sometimes clunky.
It significantly cuts down the plot, which means the climax comes nowhere near the psychedelic weirdness of the original.
In lieu of an analysis, here are strong and weak points --
Strong:
LaValle treats the themes of immigrants and poverty in early 20th century New York with much greater
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insight than HPL, turning one of his ugliest stories into a look at marginalization and resistance.The characterization is solid.
The plot moves nicely and keeps the tension up.
Weak:
The prose is serviceable but sometimes clunky.
It significantly cuts down the plot, which means the climax comes nowhere near the psychedelic weirdness of the original.
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LibraryThing member xiaomarlo
I like this much better than Lovecraft Country, another book about Lovecraft and the African American experience. This one much more accurately evokes Lovecraft's world.
I found the end a bit over-the-top, but not necessarily in the cosmic sense, which would have been a bit more satisfying. But
The problem with there being so many tributes written to Lovecraft is that you can't help but get nitpicky about them. Also, he was a good author for sure, but I don't think he deserves the amount of tributes he I getting these days, even though I appreciate that lately people have been addressing all his problems. I'm ready for genre fiction to move on to someone else.
I found the end a bit over-the-top, but not necessarily in the cosmic sense, which would have been a bit more satisfying. But
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this is still really good. The problem with there being so many tributes written to Lovecraft is that you can't help but get nitpicky about them. Also, he was a good author for sure, but I don't think he deserves the amount of tributes he I getting these days, even though I appreciate that lately people have been addressing all his problems. I'm ready for genre fiction to move on to someone else.
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LibraryThing member berthirsch
This is a short novel about a young hustler growing up in the Harlem of the 1920's. Supposedly a remake of an earlier HP Lovecraft work, this is an easy enjoyable read, filled with suspense, mystery with a bit of occultism.
It is also the story of a young adult trying to find his way in the face
This could also be considered as an ideal young adult novel but is not limited to that audience. Somewhat reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson in it its simple yet fulfilling character development and suspense.
It is also the story of a young adult trying to find his way in the face
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of racism and danger. Armed with a second hand guitar, a few chords and an ability to hum, Tom, passes himself off as a street singer who hires himself out doing errands for a nefarious crowd.This could also be considered as an ideal young adult novel but is not limited to that audience. Somewhat reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson in it its simple yet fulfilling character development and suspense.
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LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
This was excellent - a good story, plainly told, in the manner of folktales and true stories, about the kind of people who decide it's worthwhile to wake dread Cthulu from his slumbers
LibraryThing member Charrlygirl
4.5 stars!
“Nobody ever thinks of himself as a villain, does he? Even monsters hold high opinions of themselves.”
In The Ballad of Black Tom we have a Lovecraftian novella, written by a phenomenal black writer. It's set in the 20's which was not exactly the best time to be a black person in this
As a blues fan, I'll add an extra BRAVO for the Son House lyrics. "Don't you mind people grinning in your face?" Why, yes. As a matter of fact, I do.
My highest recommendation!
“Nobody ever thinks of himself as a villain, does he? Even monsters hold high opinions of themselves.”
In The Ballad of Black Tom we have a Lovecraftian novella, written by a phenomenal black writer. It's set in the 20's which was not exactly the best time to be a black person in this
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country. LaValle has taken the Lovecraft story "The Horror at Red Hook" and turned it on its head. To that I say, Bravo!!As a blues fan, I'll add an extra BRAVO for the Son House lyrics. "Don't you mind people grinning in your face?" Why, yes. As a matter of fact, I do.
My highest recommendation!
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LibraryThing member adamwolf
This year has been a good one for "woke works inspired by Lovecraft". I enjoyed this quite a bit.
LibraryThing member Darcia
Is it possible for a story to get under your skin and inhabit your body? Because I think that's what happened here.
The story begins with us firmly planted in the reality of New York in the 1920s. We meet Charles Thomas Tester, a black man trying to make a living in a white-dominated city. The
Then, when we're comfortable in this setting, we're gradually nudged into the abyss. Because we started from such a real place, the supernatural aspects feel all the more possible and all the more unnerving.
This short novel has surprising potency.
The story begins with us firmly planted in the reality of New York in the 1920s. We meet Charles Thomas Tester, a black man trying to make a living in a white-dominated city. The
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author puts us right there so that we feel the racism and the police brutality. The setting and the circumstances are masterfully handled.Then, when we're comfortable in this setting, we're gradually nudged into the abyss. Because we started from such a real place, the supernatural aspects feel all the more possible and all the more unnerving.
This short novel has surprising potency.
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LibraryThing member LisCarey
Tom is a young black man, living in New York City with his father, in the pre-Civil Rights era. Life is not easy, or safe, but Tom has gotten very skilled at presenting a non-threatening front and making money in ways that may not meet his father's high ethical standards, but do meet his looser
And one day, his legal sideline of playing the guitar gets him a really unlikely job. A white man sees him, listens for a bit, and hires him on the spot to play at a party he'll be throwing at his home in one of the fancier neighborhoods.
Tom isn't that good. It makes no sense, but the pay offered is excellent.
It's the beginning a trip down a rabbit hole of epic proportions.
The white man has a plan, in which the black people he recruits with lavish promises are not being told everything, or, really anything. Tom is told a little more, and it's an impressive vision...
Tom is on his way to being angry, embittered, and embarked on his own plan.
The question is whether New York City will survive.
It's a dark and powerful tale, and completely absorbing despite its darkness. Recommended.
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ones. Mostly, this involves running errands white people with money, but maybe not the highest ethical standards themselves.And one day, his legal sideline of playing the guitar gets him a really unlikely job. A white man sees him, listens for a bit, and hires him on the spot to play at a party he'll be throwing at his home in one of the fancier neighborhoods.
Tom isn't that good. It makes no sense, but the pay offered is excellent.
It's the beginning a trip down a rabbit hole of epic proportions.
The white man has a plan, in which the black people he recruits with lavish promises are not being told everything, or, really anything. Tom is told a little more, and it's an impressive vision...
Tom is on his way to being angry, embittered, and embarked on his own plan.
The question is whether New York City will survive.
It's a dark and powerful tale, and completely absorbing despite its darkness. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member jdifelice
I picked this up because it was nominated in the Hugo awards and the Nebula awards. Without really knowing anything about Lovecraft, this was actually quite enjoyable. I'm not normally a horror fan, but I liked the premise. I read the synopsis of the Lovecraft novella this is based on, and I think
I liked how LaValle approached the racism against black people during this time period and that it added an element of horror to the story as well. The two perspectives was also done well because we come to like Tommy Tester, and getting Malone's perspective helps us see the horror of what Tommy got caught up in, partly in fault of himself, and because of what was done to his father.
The storytelling was great and I may pick up more from this author if I for some reason am ever in the mood for more horror.
3.5/5 stars
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LaValle did a great job capturing the atmosphere of the setting and the characters were great. I really enjoyed the plot, and how the story progressed, the pacing was done really well, and it definitely felt like a complete story.I liked how LaValle approached the racism against black people during this time period and that it added an element of horror to the story as well. The two perspectives was also done well because we come to like Tommy Tester, and getting Malone's perspective helps us see the horror of what Tommy got caught up in, partly in fault of himself, and because of what was done to his father.
The storytelling was great and I may pick up more from this author if I for some reason am ever in the mood for more horror.
3.5/5 stars
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LibraryThing member whatsleepsbeneath
I've been haunted by this title for months. Names I greatly respect have thoroughly recommended it as a much needed revision of Lovecraft's Horror at Red Hook, and to that point, I agree. The story is thrilling and punches hard. There were, however, several times that I felt another round or two of
For example, after driving the point home several times that Tom was to meet Suydam in three days time, and really, he drills that point home, Chapter Four opens with, "Three days had passed, and this was the third night..." Really? It just reads as unnecessarily sloppy.
For most of the book, I felt like I was reading a two-star book, but luckily, it ramps up quickly and really brings home the conclusion.
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edits would have done wonders.For example, after driving the point home several times that Tom was to meet Suydam in three days time, and really, he drills that point home, Chapter Four opens with, "Three days had passed, and this was the third night..." Really? It just reads as unnecessarily sloppy.
For most of the book, I felt like I was reading a two-star book, but luckily, it ramps up quickly and really brings home the conclusion.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
What was indifference compared to malice?
Like its fellow Hugo finalist The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe, The Ballad of Black Tom is a rewriting of an H. P. Lovecraft story from the perspective of an Other, in this case a black man from Harlem. I guess there's a bit of a Moment right now? I enjoyed
Like its fellow Hugo finalist The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe, The Ballad of Black Tom is a rewriting of an H. P. Lovecraft story from the perspective of an Other, in this case a black man from Harlem. I guess there's a bit of a Moment right now? I enjoyed
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the first half of the story a lot, despite that a number of the details remained frustratingly obscure (and I don't think they were meant to, though maybe I wasn't reading carefully enough, as I did read most of it on a plane). Tommy himself, the world he comes from, and the world he enters into are all sketched out very compellingly, and I liked the contrast of Lovecraftian cosmic horror with the horror of being black in a racist world. The second half of the book I found less interesting, though the climax was pretty strong. Perhaps, like Dream-Quest, if I'd read Lovecraft's original I'd've been more into it, but I still enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member AngelaJMaher
A strange tale that reveals a lot about human nature. I didn't realise it was Lovecraftian when I started it. I don't think you need to know a lot about that mythos to find this an intriguing read, however.
LibraryThing member mutantpudding
I liked the idea of using Lovecrafts mythology while throwing his racism in the trash where it belongs, but my actual feeling on the book were kinda meh. Its good but just not my thing maybe.
LibraryThing member nmele
An even more unusual reworking of Lovecraft's mythos, with a black protagonist. Very good.
LibraryThing member Charon07
Excellent Lovecraft pastiche that turns Lovecraft’s racism on its head.
LibraryThing member bdgamer
I read the book in one sitting, all 86 pages of it. It was that good.
Having read Lovecraft Country, I could empathize with Tom and understand his struggle and challenges of living in white America. The humiliation, pain, and powerlessness of having to deal with systemic racism shine through the
His night with Robert Suydam returned to him, all of it, all at once. The breathless terror with which the old man spoke of the Sleeping King. A fear of cosmic indifference suddenly seemed comical, or downright naive. Tester looked back to Malone and Mr. Howard. Beyond them he saw the police forces at the barricades as they muscled the crowd of Negroes back; he saw the decaying facade of his tenement with new eyes; he saw the patrol cars parked in the middle of the road like three great black hounds waiting to pounce on all these gathered sheep. What was indifference compared to malice?
"Indifference would be such a relief," Tommy said.
More than that, it handles the Lovecraftian themes quite well, especially in its vagueness regarding the ancient Ones. I loved how he brought in Cthulhu, especially in how Tom becomes a symbol of vengeance, drawing upon Cthulhu's power to destroy humanity (in due time) that he's come to loathe.
I also loved the idea of the Outside and how simply Lavalle depicted it. I especially liked the integration of Ma Att and the vagueness of the enormity of her power. I loved how Tom transformed into an entity beyond time and space, yet still grounded by his father's razor and music. And finally, I loved how Lovecraft, on whose story this novella is founded on, is integrated into the story.
It's a great, quick read. Highly recommended.
Having read Lovecraft Country, I could empathize with Tom and understand his struggle and challenges of living in white America. The humiliation, pain, and powerlessness of having to deal with systemic racism shine through the
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pages quite well. This quote, in particular, summarizes it well:His night with Robert Suydam returned to him, all of it, all at once. The breathless terror with which the old man spoke of the Sleeping King. A fear of cosmic indifference suddenly seemed comical, or downright naive. Tester looked back to Malone and Mr. Howard. Beyond them he saw the police forces at the barricades as they muscled the crowd of Negroes back; he saw the decaying facade of his tenement with new eyes; he saw the patrol cars parked in the middle of the road like three great black hounds waiting to pounce on all these gathered sheep. What was indifference compared to malice?
"Indifference would be such a relief," Tommy said.
More than that, it handles the Lovecraftian themes quite well, especially in its vagueness regarding the ancient Ones. I loved how he brought in Cthulhu, especially in how Tom becomes a symbol of vengeance, drawing upon Cthulhu's power to destroy humanity (in due time) that he's come to loathe.
I also loved the idea of the Outside and how simply Lavalle depicted it. I especially liked the integration of Ma Att and the vagueness of the enormity of her power. I loved how Tom transformed into an entity beyond time and space, yet still grounded by his father's razor and music. And finally, I loved how Lovecraft, on whose story this novella is founded on, is integrated into the story.
It's a great, quick read. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
One of NPR's Best Books of 2016, winner of the Shirley Jackson Award, the British Fantasy Award, the This is Horror Award for Novella of the Year, and a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, World Fantasy, and Bram Stoker Awards.
I read this on impulse. This is a horror novel about a black man who
I read this on impulse. This is a horror novel about a black man who
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has a gig of hustling with his frayed suit and his guitar case (no guitar). What I did not realize is that this book was a rewrite of Lovecraft tale from a black person's perspective.One of Lovecraft's most xenophobic stories "The Horror At Red Hook". The book takes place in 1924 and follows the story of a young black man from Harlem named Tommy Tester as he negotiates racism, police brutality and cosmic terror. Show Less
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novella — 2017)
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novella — 2016)
Shirley Jackson Award (Winner — Novella — 2016)
Locus Award (Finalist — Novella — 2017)
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — Long Fiction — 2017)
Bram Stoker Award (Nominee — Long Fiction — 2016)
British Fantasy Award (Winner — Novella — 2017)
Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award (Finalist — 2017)
Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize (Longlist — Fiction — 2016)
NPR: Books We Love (2016)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-02-16
Physical description
152 p.; 5.11 inches
ISBN
9780765387868