Questions About The Ballad of Black Tom

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I REALLY want to read this because I heard it was very scary, but I just want to read a good, scary book that tells a good story without any "white people should always be ashamed" OR any "black/Italian/Jewish people are scary because not-white!" Is this first and foremost a good, scary story, or is this more telling-off H.P.'s racist butt?

Briana the only white people who aren't ashamed of racism are racists.

anyway, it's a good book, a smart spin on one of Lovecraft's worst stories, that elevat…morethe only white people who aren't ashamed of racism are racists.

anyway, it's a good book, a smart spin on one of Lovecraft's worst stories, that elevates the genre of Lovecraftian horror by doing something legitimately well-considered and compelling with the old tropes. everyone has a different litmus for "scary" but it's got both feet firmly planted in the realm of horror and everything from the imagery to the themes to the specifics of the plot reflects that.(less)

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Do I have to read The Horror at Red Hook first?

NekroRider I know this is a two year-old question, but for others looking for the answer I would say: yes, it's definitely necessary to understanding the full me…moreI know this is a two year-old question, but for others looking for the answer I would say: yes, it's definitely necessary to understanding the full meaning of the story. This story is a re-writing/alternate version of The Horror at Red Hook that specifically plays off the racism in Lovecraft's story (possibly one of his most racist stories). Even the conclusion is modified to the original, so to see the differences and understand why LaValle wrote the ending the way he did you'd need to read Lovecraft's version. Just to see the full beauty of how LaValle flips it on its head I think its necessary to read the original.(less)

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is it written like a poem or like a normal book?

Lisa Larkin It's a prose novel, no poetry. …moreIt's a prose novel, no poetry. (less)

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We're considering this book to donate to a young woman in a shelter who asked for "any horror books" but I want to be sure it doesn't have anything that might be traumatic to someone who has been a victim of trafficking and abuse. Thoughts?

George I think you mean "triggering". Those two areas are not among the horrors here. On the other hand, <spoiler>an unarmed black man being shot to death</s…moreI think you mean "triggering". Those two areas are not among the horrors here. On the other hand, <spoiler>an unarmed black man being shot to death</spoiler> might well be felt traumatic by many of us. I'm not sure about true horror aficionados.

There is brief mention of people smuggling, of "illegal aliens" who haven't come through Ellis Island. But that is, to my mind, distinct from trafficking.(less)

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Just more propaganda..."the curse written on his skin that attracts the eye of wealthy white folks and their cops." ohhh spine chilling. *yawn* Wasn't this already a book..."The Legend of Bagger Vance"?

MaryAlice Why? I do not know what year this story takes place. Even in 2022 some white women still clutch their purse when a black person gets on an elevator wi…moreWhy? I do not know what year this story takes place. Even in 2022 some white women still clutch their purse when a black person gets on an elevator with them, even if that black person is a well known celebrity like Will Smith.

Most any of those black stars will have a story of when the color of their skin attracted the cops, and TSA agents, store employees, dog walkers, nosy neighbors. That is, not propaganda, but...

I have not read the book; your comment makes me want to do so; it was recommended as a scary novel to read for Halloween by a fav author, Walter Mosley. (less)

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