I finished Angry Black White Boy : A Novel by Adam Mansbach last night. It was a pretty good read; there was some social commentary (a lot actually), but also some strong characterization.
Macon seems pretty well characterized; he’s a strong character who has enough doubt and anxiety to seem real. As the downest whiteboy, he does a great job of walking the line between different groups. His reflections on family and privilege work– they don’t come across as the author preaching.
The book is almost a single POV book. The drawback is that the author dips into other POVs, but doesn’t always telegraph well. The few dips into other POVs seem like they could have been eliminated– they were infrequent enough to be annoying when they occurred, and they undermined my immersion in Macon. Save that, it’s clear and tackles interesting issues.
The previous book I read was Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock. It remains a good book; it’s set just after World War 2. Holdstock does a great job of building the setting, the family dynamic, and the mystery. This is one of my favorite books to return to.
Briefly, the family lives near Ryhope Wood. Steven, the character we’re following, is returning after being wounded and recovering in France. He’s filled with mixed feelings; partially resentment toward his neglectful father (who died during the war) and eagerness to see his brother and his brother’s bride.
When he returns home, nothing is as he anticipated. His brother is withdrawn… and obsessed, much as his father had been. Soon Christian (his brother) vanishes into the wood. We also get hints that the wood is more than it appears…
A good read, one I recommend, particularly if you enjoy fantasy/sci-fi.