Deacon King Kong by James McBride rounded up to 5 stars

[Karin]

4.5 stars rounded up.

This novel started off as a real challenge for me. I disliked it, and was ready to toss it aside, but for a group discussion. At first it only seemed dark, horrible and at times seemed callow and crass--the humour out of place. However, as I read, I began to get drawn in and it improved. I thought 2 stars instead of one, then 3, then 4 and finally was torn between 4 and 5, but after waiting a bit have rounded it up.

There aren't many authors who are this brilliant in so many different ways all at once with their writing. And among those, I can't say that I am a fan of all of them. Some, such as Margaret Atwood, I dislike most of the time.

On the one hand, the basic plot isn't new, but then with all of the hundreds of thousands or millions of novels that have been written, that really isn't surprising and never bothers me if the writing is good. But the characters, the story as it developed, the different things he added, such as literary elements, were brilliant. I even laughed out loud once, and I am not a slapstick humour person (but not all of the humour is slapstick by any means). It was when (view spoiler)[Earl ended up hit in the head by the bottle of liquor in that amazing scene that, for no reason I can think of, made me picture it almost like a play) (hide spoiler)]. He also did a brilliant job with some surprises that you don't see coming.

After I read Song Yet Sung I knew I wanted to read at least one more book by McBride. However, it took two before I thought that I would like to read a number of them (one book I love is no guarantee there will be two by the same author). I am not sure which one I'll read next, but it won't be before 2021.

[Booknblues]

I've had this on my TBR and want to get to it this month or the first of the year.

Thanks for your review and pushing me to read this. I am a McBride fan and read everything he has written.

[Joanne]

I also have this lined up for 2021!

[Robin P]

I thought I wasn't interested in this, but then I heard an interview with the author on NPR while driving recently and changed my mind. I did like The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, which is of course quite different.

[Holly R W]

Karin, I enjoyed your review very much. While I haven't read the book, I did view a video of the author discussing it. James McBride has a great sense of humor as well as an appreciation for the characters he writes about. I really enjoyed listening to him.

[Karin]

Robin P wrote: "I thought I wasn't interested in this, but then I heard an interview with the author on NPR while driving recently and changed my mind. I did like [book:The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to..."

I want to read The Colour of Water, okay, The Color of Water since I love in the States, but it's hard to type the other spelling. But I have a HUGE pile of books here because I keep putting holds on them but have slowed way down in my reading, so it will be some time before I get there.

[Sue]

Great review! This is on my TBR and I'm expecting to read early next year.

[Meli]

My book club wants to read this so glad to see your positive review.

[Karin]

I hope you both like it, and don't get put off by the beginning. A GR friend of mine that some of PBT people know (was on Shelfari) had the same basic reaction as I did to the start of this book, but ended up giving it 5 stars as well.

[Joy D]

Karin, thanks for your review. I had read The Good Lord Bird and liked it a lot, but was unsure of whether I would like this one. I am putting it on my TBR and I have lots of patience for difficult beginnings, so I am looking forward to it.

[Book Concierge]

I love McBride's writing, and plan to get to this ... eventually.