The Ballad of Black Tom

Evocative and chilling, this novella looks at Lovecraftian horror through the lens of race relations. (Equally terrifying) It's an examination of Lovecraft's well known racism while still being a frightening horror story. One of the best things I've read in a while.

Victor LaValle can write prose that is free and easy, and that keeps you interested in the characters and the story. On this point and the fact that he is at least partially doing tribute to HP Lovecraft ("The Ballad of Black Tom" is a story that is adjunct to Lovecraft's own short story, "The Horror at Red Hook") is admirable and genuine. He creates a side story with a character that doesn't appear in Lovecraft's story but nonetheless connects at least partially to the events/climax in it. On its own, the story of Black Tom is actually quite interesting and the Lovecraftian horrors that the main character faces in the end are very respectable to the mythos. In this, I say that LaValle did a good job.

My problem with the book has the do with the racial horrors that the main character faces. Certainly, this time period was difficult for blacks and other immigrants, especially in an area such as New York City. With this fact established, there was absolutely no need to embellish these racial horrors to get the point across, but that's exactly what the author does and he is dishonest to the source material and to historical fact. First of all, the police crack down on Red Hook at the end of the story is described as "police coming in with anti-aircraft guns a blazing (seriously!)", enough force to kill hundreds of innocents and demolish buildings. In Lovecraft's story, the police enter the area with clubs (quite a difference). Secondly, the author makes a dishonest historical statement about the former police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (a Republican of course) that portrays him as the one responsible for arming the police force with anti aircraft guns to crack down on blacks and immigrants. If you do the research, you'll find this is historically inaccurate. Roosevelt, in his brief 2 year tenure as police commissioner (twenty years before the time period of the story I might add), did radically reform the police force. but this was to crack down on corruption and poor treatment of minorities. Roosevelt even walked the beat to make sure the police force were on duty. I feel the need to point this out because of course, there is an underlying motive to misrepresent the situation and distort the truth.

Understand that for me, all that matters about Lovecraft are his stories. I do not impose asynchronistic value judgments on the man. Clearly Lovecraft had a low opinion of blacks and other non-whites, but it doesn't affect my opinion of his work. Victor LaValle has a different opinion and that is understandable, but he needs to stick to the facts. His story is a worthy tribute, but it oversteps the facts and this more than cheapens the end result.

This is a fantastic novella. The design of the book is very nice. It stands out as an incredible addition to a packed mythos. An incredibly rich story that displays not only horror that will make your skin crawl, but numerous societal issues on display that are still relevant to this day. It's a must read.

Whoa. New Lovecraft world. Blew me away and I didn't even know it when I picked up the book. But soon after I started, I could feel it, like the smell of fetid river rising the the basement. Thanks Victor LaValle for bringing me back!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. LaValle captured the mood well enough. I wish that I had read some of the other reviews first. I would have read Lovecraft's THE HORROR AT RED HOOK first. My complaints are similar to others. I would have liked to see a bit more character development. This would have fixed my second complaint in that the story was too short.

I don't like Lovecraft, but I love Lovecraftian Horror - and this is an exceptional example. It's probably better than most because it's actually based on (an extension of) an original Lovecraft story: The Horror at Red Hook. It focuses on two characters: the police officer from The Horror at Red Hook (Malone), and a new character (though one inferred but unnamed as someone who acquired books for Suydam in The Horror at Red Hook) named Thomas Tester - the Black Tom of the title. LaValle does an excellent job of showing the debauchery that Lovecraft mentions in the original, while also giving an inside view to the racism that African-Americans of the early twentieth century endured. It's a much needed change in point of view from the original. His writing is so good. He does incredible things with Lovecraft's original story, and makes everything so much more real and tangible - and modern - yet still maintains the horror that Lovecraft could induce (in my opinion, far better than Lovecraft did). This book is a hit on so many levels: social commentary, history, and of course, horror. It's not entirely necessary, but it helps to read The Horror at Red Hook first. It adds a lot of context to the story, and to what LaValle was able to accomplish with it.

Black magical realism. This is a pretty quick read for me. Really liked the way it ended. Made me think of a film starring Glynn Turman and Louis Gossett Jr. called J.D.'s Revenge. Power to the author!

This story retells the events of HP Lovecraft's "The Horror at Red Hook" but through another character's point of view. It is well-thought-out and the main character is complex, but ultimately doomed.

A lovecraftian beauty - the only problem I have is that it's too short and left me wanting (which isn't really a complaint, when you think about it), and that some of the dialogue directly references Lovecraft's work, which keeps it from standing on its own.

Finally a Lovecraftian horror that is not from a white mans view. Vivid characters and vintage settings capture the era well. LaValle does not flinch from showing 1920s New York City as Tom experiences it.

PHENOMENAL book. If you love Lovecraftian fiction, read this. If you WOULD love Lovecraftian fiction without the horrible racism, READ THIS. The only problem with this book is that there is not more for me to read right now.

Stellar book looking at racism in the mid twenties in New York through the lens of Lovecraftian horror. Which is especially wonderful given Lovecraft's deeply held racist views. The story keeps ratcheting up the horror all the way through the climax, and is well worth a read.

This is an excellent contribution to the Lovecraft mythos, and a fine intervention into the racial politics of Lovecraft's world to boot. By the end of the first part (there are two parts), I was fairly shocked. The end is unpredictable, though just slightly too funny, and the characters, both Black Tom and Malone, quite brilliantly developed.

This story redeemed the Lovecraft mythos for me, one which, much like the author, I have always had conflicting feelings about due to Lovecraft's personal beliefs about race bleeding profusely into his work. Tommy Tester is my new superhero and I would love to see Victor LaValle write more in this universe with this character. This is a must read for anyone who has interest in the mythos.

Such a gorgeous, fun, and fast-paced read. I loved the way the author took an old (and biased story) and added his own flare to it, making it feel modern even though it's set in the past. I eagerly await his next book.

Such a gorgeous, fun, and fast-paced read. I loved the way the author took an old (and biased story) and added his own flare to it, making it feel modern even though it's set in the past. I eagerly await his next book.

It's definitely written well and a quick read. No clear cut heroes, which is a refreshing change. Life isn't always black and white. If you have a couple of hours, you can probably finish it in one reading.

Excellent take on Lovecraft's Mythos through the usually-overlooked eyes of a racial minority character. A look at the less-depicted areas of early-20th-century New York City, including Harlem and the outer boroughs.

This book was an enjoyable homage to Lovecraftian horror. The tension had me speeding through the pages, the main character was fleshed out really well, and there was just the right amount of Gore. This is a book I'd recommend for anybody that likes horror.

Recently I listened to an interview of Victor LaValle on NPR during which he discussed Lovecarft's "The Horror at Red Hook." The interviewer talked about Lovecraft's racism and LaValle's re-working of the Red Hook story. I was intrigued enough to read Lovecraft's story first, immediately followed by LaValle's version.

Lovecraft's story is interesting but flat, especially in light of my being a long time Stephen King reader. I tried to judge L's story based on when it was written, however, and did enjoy it.

Then, I read LaValle's story and was blown away by its depth. "Kingish," but smoother! Was mesmerized! If you like Lovecraft and King, then read this book.

By the way, I'm a retired English teacher/criminal attorney, just to offer a frame of reference as to who might like this story besides young horror buffs.

Really beautiful, well-written story with a fantastic protagonist. This story never went in any direction I expected, but it was wonderfully creepy and suspenseful while still making me care deeply about Tommy Tester and what happens to him. The ending managed to be heartbreaking while promising terrible things to come, and honestly, this is one of the best Lovecraftian stories I've ever read.

I could not put this book down. . I heard about this book while listening to an interview with the author on NPR and knew I had to check it out. I'm very happy I did. I plan to also read some more of Victor LaValle's books. I also just began reading my first book by HP Lovecraft since this was one of his influences as an author.

The book was great. Really quick read, beautiful imagery. The story was perplexing and left me wondering.

I'd recommend this for any horror fans 14+ due to some graphic language and scene descriptions.

Highlighted the black struggle of dehumanization from white "others".

Takes the weakest of Lovecraft's stories and turns it into a masterpiece that breathes life into 1920s NYC and demonstrates why individuals would choose to worship the Great Old Ones. Beautiful work throughout.

This book takes the Lovecraft novel "Horror at the Red Hook", twists it around and comes up with something interesting and original. It's a Lovecraftian horror story, with racism and all, written from a black protagonist's perspective. An excellent little book!