The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle


Review by Elleanore G. Vance

Winner of the 2016 Shirley Jackson Award, Nebula Award and British Fantasy award (just to name a few) Mr. LaValle takes us for a side trip in Lovecraft's mind, inspired by The Horror at Red Hook. 

Set in Harlem in 1924, Tom is a black man doing his best keep food on the table and a roof over the heads of himself and his father. He is not picky as to how he achieves this goal. His cover is as a corner minstrel, strumming his guitar for coins. More often that not, Tom's case holds more than his instrument. One day, as Tom is getting the feel of a new corner, he is approached by Robert Suydam. Suydam offers a ridiculous amount of money for Tom to play at a party the following night. The deal is struck. 

A heartbeat later, Tom is assaulted by Detective Malone and Partner. They rob him of more money than he had ever had at one time. If the names Suydam and Malone ring a bell, it's because they come from Lovecraft's Horror at Red Hook.

Unlike its inspiration, Black Tom has its roots in reality. Lavalle's characters breathe and bleed through the confines of the page. In many ways, Black Tom helps Red Hook make some sort of sense. I do not feel that one needs to have any knowledge of Red Hook to enjoy Black Tom. 

It is stories like these that really make Lovecraft readable to me. It helps me to look beyond his blatant racism and see the story, maybe not for what it is, but for what it could be.  

Before I go, I must warn you about the police violence. There is a lot of it . We are forced to stare without blinking at the cruelty inflicted by those who work the force. Please, please be mindful of this when choosing this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5


7.6.23
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