The Tempest Tales

by Walter Mosley

Tempest Landry, an everyman African American, is “accidentally” killed by a cop. Denied access to heaven because of what he considers a few minor transgressions, Tempest refuses to go to hell. Stymied, Saint Peter sends him back to Harlem, where a guiding angel tries to convince him to accept Saint Peter's judgment, and even the Devil himself tries to win over Tempest’s soul. Through the street-smart Landry, Mosley poses the provocative question: Is sin for blacks the same as it is for whites? And who gets to decide?

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, African American, Horror, Contemporary, Book Club, Literature

157 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Walter Mosley (b. 1952) is the author of the bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins, as well as numerous other works, from literary fiction and science fiction to a young adult novel and political monographs. His short fiction has been widely published, and his nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and the Nation, among other publications. Mosley is the winner of numerous awards, including an O. Henry Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Sumayyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was very thought-provoking. It deals with the gray areas of sin, and why we may not be what we think we are. A MUST read.

[Madeline Knight-Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so many levels I don’t really know where to start reviewing it from… First off the basic plot is about a man who is accidentally shot in Harlem and when he gets to the St. Peter at the gates of heaven, refuses his ruling. The reason he refuses however is where the story becomes multi-layered. These different layers are narrated by the “accounting angel of heaven”, who is sent to Earth with Tempest to convince him that he is a sinner.

Racially: The most obvious reason Tempest refuses to except that he is a sinner is because as a black man, he lives in a different world than other people. Sins and morals don’t have the same meanings in Harlem; you stab someone before they stab you, you steal money from a church and give it to poor people instead of it going through middle men that take half the cash, you cheat the insurance companies to save a girl’s life, you lie to a jury so a man you know is a killer goes to jail (even if he’s not guilty of the specific crime he’s on trial for).

Every time the Angel tries to argue with Tempest, Tempest points out how regardless of if there is no race in heaven there is on Earth. Life will always be different for an entire race of people in America-and with a life so different it is impossible to judge them by the same standards. I find this to be such a beautifully well thought out way to put this idea. No matter what anyone says about wanting racial equality, life will always be different in inner city areas like Harlem or the South Side of Chicago. Less money for schools, police officers who are inherently racist, and a culture with deep roots in gang violence makes it impossible to judge the morals of these people by the morals of someone living in a suburban neighborhood. Everything is about context, and Mosley points this out flawlessly on every page.

Celestially: Maybe the thing that grabbed me the most about this book though is the way it questions the motives of heaven. At one point Tempest asks the Angel how he could possibly judge his sins if he’s never felt hunger, or pain, or loss, or racism. How can some almighty power judge the actions of humanity when it has never experienced humanity for itself? Even if I did believe in a heaven, I would be pissed to be put on trial by a bunch of saintly figures who hadn’t actually experienced life in over 2,000 years.

So throughout the book, the Angel begins to see the truth in this. He begins to experience humanity first hand; he falls in love, he gets tired, he falls ill, he faces hard times the likes of which can’t possibly be known in paradise. Slowly, over a period of months does he start to realize the truth in Tempest’s arguments. How can he condemn he for surviving? How can he send a man to hell for saving a girl’s life even if he had to lie and steal to do it?

This book provides a startling amount of humanity wrapped up in powerful prose. It makes you think and makes you believe and yet question everything all at the same time. It sweeps you up and sends you soaring and then crashes you back down into the worst parts of life while still allowing you to see the heavenly lining. I think I found one of my new favorite authors.

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistaken for another man, Wily Tempest is “accidentally” shot by police. Sent to receive the judgment of heaven he discovers his sins, according to St. Peter, condemns him to hell. Tempest takes exception to the saint’s definition of sin; he refuses to go to hell and explains that he, a poor Black man living in Harlem, did what he did for family, friends, and love.

In the episodic battle with heaven and hell for his ultimate destiny, Tempest also takes the reader on a philosophic and humorous journey where free will is pitted against class and race – and the music of heaven is pitted against the blues.

A Must Read.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the book is stilted dialogue between Tempest Landry and an "accounting angel" charged with convincing Tempest to accept the judgment of St. Peter and willingly go to hell. There is a bit of superficial dialogue around the supposed purpose of life, nature of "sin", etc. and I hated most of it but felt compelled to reach the end.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was a very entertaining take on an old idea - good vs. evil in the battle for men's souls and destinies. It had a lot of the street-smart flavor and memorable characters of Mosley's best works and was very reminiscent (intentionally so) of Langston Hughes, to whom it was dedicated. Joshua, the Accounting Angel, was a particularly well-drawn character and I really felt for him as he struggled with his burgeoning humanity while trying to do his job of convincing Tempest to accept his eternal damnation. The one I had trouble with was Tempest. I loved him, I hated him, I sympathized with him, but I never really believed in him. It felt like Mosley was having trouble holding onto the character. Tempest would go from being a poor, uneducated man who said things like "Im'a axe you a question" to talking about an incident in science class involving exploding Bunsen burners and secondary explosions due to pent up gases in the pipes. There were jarring bits like that throughout the book, which tended to break the flow of the story for me. A worthwhile read, even so and probably a good choice for book clubs.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Tempest Tales" intrigued me because it is the story of a man who finds himself face to face with St.Peter at the "pearly gates" and refuses to accept St.Peter's divine judgment regarding the life he lived on earth and, consequently, also refuses to be consigned to eternal damnation, aka, hell. He returns to earth accompanied by an accounting angel who is sent to convince Tempest Landry to accept his sins and receive his "just reward". By the time this short tale is done, Tempest Landry emerges as a much more righteous individual than he appears at the outset. The angel finds himself having some very distinctly mortal experiences that help to alter his view of
the judgment set forth by St.Peter and before the angel's mortal experience is concluded both he and Tempest come face to face with Satan himself. In this sometimes "philosophic and humorous journey" free will is pitted against class and race. One of the reasons I decided to read it is because it is a recommended book club read. I can see this book could make for some interesting discussions.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this entertaining short novel, Walter Mosley reworks the ancient theme of an Angel disguised as a human on a mission. This book is also a tribute to Langston Hughes and his Jesse B. Semple stories.
When Tempest Landry arrives at the pearly gates, he refuses to accept the judgement that he is a sinner. Tempest is sent back to earth and Joshua Angel follows to convince him. This leads to discussions about good vs bad, free will, fairness, circumstance, desire and more. One of my favorites is, “Is a Mistake a Sin?” Philosophical ideas and street smarts are debated in a light but thought provoking way. There are several twists to the story as the Angel experiences many ‘unheavenly’ emotions such as passion and jealousy. Although Joshua Angel is the narrator, the story belongs to Tempest Landry. I really enjoyed this book. It was humorous, but with very intriguing ideas. I think Mr. Hughes would approve.

[Dana]

A must read

I wasn't able to put this book down until I finished. the ending wasn't what I wanted. this brings the question,heaven or hell? what is your choice??

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored every one of Tempest's stories and every discussion with Angel. No scene or word wasted, Mosley's short (165-page edition) anti-parable transforms deceptively simple turns of phrase into the profound: "Damn . . . You make it hard on a brother, Angel."

[Bruce Rogie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Mosley. In no particular order: good v. evil v. good, god v. devil v. god, and white v. black v. white. As always Mosley brings a teachable moment and this teaches with the best of them.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Tempest Tales
Author: Walter Mosley
Genre: Linked shorts. Fantasy. Morality fable.
Setting: Predominantly New York City.
Reason for Reading: 50 book PoC project. AND THIS IS BOOK FIFTY. I'd like to thank the Academy...
Relevance to the Project: I don't really feel "done" so there may be a few more wrap-up posts coming along. But for now I will say, Mosley in the character of Landry Tempest argues that morality must be relative - that what is "wrong" for a privileged white person may not be equally "wrong" for a poor black man. Tempest continues to try to argue down the accounting angel who is sent to convince him he should go to hell for his sins. Along the way things get complicated.
Finished In: Hours. I took this to the laundromat yesterday morning because the other book I was reading is more than 800 pages long (helLOOOO Neal Stephenson) and I thought it was too heavy to lug with all the laundry... I wrapped up the book before I went to bed.
Pages: 192
Copyright Date: 2008
Cover: The silhouette of a man, with a hint of wings behind him.
First line: "Tempest Landry didn't see himself as a bad man."
Themes and Triggers: Angels, devils, crime, situational ethics, police violence, Christianity.
Best part: I found Tempest a relatable character.
Worst part: In some ways it seemed that Joshua Angel was mainly there as a straight man. He rarely had any answer other than "but that's wrong, you're a sinner."
Imaginary Theme Song: No Rest for the Wicked.
Grade: C+. An interesting read but I didn't feel very strongly about it.
Recommended for: If you enjoy debates about good and evil, and Christian-centric morality stuff, then you will enjoy this book.
Related Reads: The other Mosley book I've read is Devil in a Blue Dress. This one is lighter than that. As for other morality fables I highly recommend Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord.

[Msladydeborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter Mosley made his way onto my Spring and Summer book list because of the availablity of his works at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

The Tempest Tales is pretty thought provoking. A death opens up the door on a story about life that had me questioning what would I do ir....

Imagine that you are standing before St. Peter and you've just heard that instead of entering heaven, you're going to hell. Only you refuse to accept that decision. This is how The Tempest Tales begin.

I really liked this particular book. It has a lot of elements working in the story line that keeps you thoughts moving in a lot of different directions.

[Raven Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that pulls at your morality on every page. Do we have the right to decide our own judgment? Can we be forgiven even for the worst of sins? I think about all of the famous people who commit terrible crimes and then are somehow forgiven when the next movie, the next song, or the next book comes out. I don't really understand how that kind of forgiveness works but I do know that Tempest could make a hell of a case for any situation. A lesson in forgiveness, it is. I still can't say whether or not I agree with him on everything. Tempest has left me in limbo on a lot of things I never really questioned until now.

[Jaak Treiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

St. Peter condemns Tempest, who has been "accidentally" shot by the police, to hell. Tempest refuses. A sometimes humorous exploration of what is "good" and what is "evil" by Walter Mosely, who continues to experiment in different genres. He is one of America's best current writers.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

D drive:Unabridged and read by Ty Jones.

St Peter says "go to hell"

"NO" came the reply.

Given that all of this is purely rhetorical (to my mind), it was a fun exercise in metaphorical/metaphysical debate that raised some questions that even YOU would splutter over.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got my attention and kept it during the entire book. This is a story about what is good and what is evil. Tempest puts heaven in an awkward position that could potentially destroy it. Pick this book up and enjoy a short read that you will not regret!!!

[Shruts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mosely's premise here is that there could be a double standard within Christianity. Tempest Landry is a street smart black man struggling along in the streets of Harlem when he is wrongfully shot and killed by a police patrolman.

Aside from being shot, his problems began with his interview with St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter confronted him with his "sins", such as, among other things, having three girl friends with whom he has multiple children.

Tempest rebuts that these are not sins but just facts of life in hardscrabble Harlem life. So Peter sends Tempest back to life in Harlem with a guardian angel to verify this premise.

So begins a philosophical back and forth about the nature of sin in the context of race relations in what is an impoverished and complex world. You'll have to read to discover Mosely's denoument. A must read for seminarians!!

Not an easy read. You will have to follow some philosophical conversations in street repartee.

An intriguing and radical departure for the talented Mosely from his best known crime genre. Spread your wings!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tempest Landry is mistakenly shot by Harlem police he finds himself in front of St Peter but upon refusing to be sent to hell he is sent back to earth with a new body to reflect upon his sins and accept the need to be banished to the fiery place. On earth he is shadowed by an Angel 'Joshua Angel' who having taken human form has to persuade Tempest that he is a sinner otherwise the very fabric of heaven and hell will fall. As we follow what then becomes a philosophical consideration of what is sin and redemption Tempest meets Base Bob (Beelzebub) again in human form who sensing the power he now has through Tempest to destroy God tries to draw Tempest to his realm with riches galore.
An interesting book which certainly gave me pause for thought and is written with skill and playfulness but with a reflection upon the extent of an individuals responsibility for their action and whether a good result justifies a wrong action. Worth reading.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book raises questions about what constitutes sin, what is fair, and how people in different circumstances should be judged when they die. Who should go to Hell? Tempest Landry, a black man, dies and is sentenced to Hell but he challenges his judgment, the first time a dead soul has done this. He argues that because of his mortal circumstances, e.g. racism and poverty, his actions weren’t sinful. Joshua Angel is sent to heaven to convince Landry to accept his fate, because if he doesn’t, the whole celestial order could be overturned. The book follows the back and forth between Landry and Angel about whether Landry should accept his fate, raising many thought-provoking questions about good and evil. Along the way Angel, now in human form, falls in love and learns about mortal feelings and concerns, and Landry gets help from the Devil (or does he?). Because of the seriousness of the questions, there are no clear answers.

[Susie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone donated a copy of "The Tempest Tales" by Walter Mosley to the Carrollton, Miss., library, and I checked it out, leisurely reading a tale or several in between sessions with other books. So, you have a Harlemite who by his own words during his sessions with his very own angel, lets the reader know he's been a sinner (but then, who isn't, even those who ARE heaven-bound, as true believers in Jesus, the Son of the one true God and who have asked forgiveness...) though he and Angel continue a farcical dialogue about why after Tempest was gunned down by police when carelessly mistaken for a fleeing crime suspect, Tempest was "refused" entrance to the so called Pearly Gates by St. Peter, Tempest declined to admit he deserved his heavenly sentence to hell, during the course of Mosley's tales. Should further commentary include Tempest's experiences with "Basal Bob"? The Devil! Well.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking but dry and preachy. A lot of the religious stuff sailed right over my head. Still, I’m glad I read it.

“I’m an American, at least I was before I died; a citizen of the greatest, most powerful country in the history of the world. A citizen mind you, not no slave or visitor or foreigner to this shore. My people have been here longer than most, way back over four hundred years. And we built without salary and we died without our right names. We are part of the stone and blood of this nation. How can it be that we strugglin’ like this? Livin’ with drugs and prejudice, shot down, dragged down, sat on, and lied to. If that ain’t conspiracy then I don’t know what is.” (p. 75)

“If America was a man would he make it past Peter’s threshold? I mean, can a country commit a sin?” (p. 106)

[Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Walter Mosley completest, I of course had to read this novel.

It reads more like one of his dialogues on existence (like the final Socrates Fortlow book) than a formal narrative, but it's interesting, and well-told, if not nearly as satisfying as most of his other fiction.

Were I a casual reader wondering where in the Mosley bibliography to start, I would steer clear of this one, but even at his worst (John Woman), his prose is just so readable. The character of Tempest is great...I'd love to see a different book written around him in either of his incarnations.

Anyway, recommended only for Mosley addicts.

[Bradford D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Mosley is one of the most radical authors of the day. In a world filled with copycats and vanilla versions of ideas that have been played-out long ago, he actively tries to offend the status quo, shake up the powers-that-be, and thumb his nose at any authority he can find. This time he tackles the nature of good and evil, applying the theory of relativity to the nature of sin and daring you to cast off the black and white in favor of a continuum of gray. When faced with St Peter's judgment that he spend eternity in hell, Tempest Landry has the audacity to ask, “Why?”, throwing the whole system into question.

[Steve Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is sin for blacks the same as sin for whites? Tempest, a black man, is accidentally shot by police. Standing in front of Saint Peter, he denies his sins are real sins. He is sent back with a white guardian angel to convince him that he really belongs in hell. Even Satan shows up trying to claim his soul.

Racial injustice seems to have been extended to heaven in this cruel indictment of rich white standards imposed on other groups. The audiobook puts you right in the middle of this disparity.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! It gives one so much to think about that you have to pause and go, hmmmm? And then you just want to pick it back up and keep reading!

What an idea... that there is an accounting angel along side of St Peter keeping track of your deeds on earth! Then, how are deeds on earth reviewed? If you stole something or lied about something to help someone else, does the good out weigh the bad??? Hmmmm?

[Marty Troyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!
Race.
Religion.
Ethics.
Angels falling in love.

A story about the first human in 100,000 years who dares to defy St. Peter and go to hell as condemned. But instead returns to earth, where he tries to convince his Angel (now in human form!) that 1). racism and oppression impact behavior, and 2). human experience is not as simple as good/bad, and can it be understood by suffering.

A fascinating novel by a true master. Tempest Landry is fantastic and wickedly compassionate!

[Rita Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Tempest Landry takes on the devil AND St. Peter and comes out ahead. My favorite part is when Tempest asks his angel friend if an entire country can be considered a sinner, perhaps because they send troops all over the world and kill civilians. Am I responsible for what my country does (sure hope not)? There's lots more along these lines.

[John Bunyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A familiar premise is given a whole different perspective nectar Walter Mosley presents it from a black man’s perspective. What Mosley’s Easy Rawlins stories do for the hard boiled detective genre, The Tempest Tales does for the dead man returns to Earth for a second chance concept. It is well done and an enjoyable, thought- provoking read.

[Kametra Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A black man is accidentally murdered and is to go to hell for the life he's lived. He refuses to go and is sent back to earth with an angel guide to see why he should be damned due to his choices.
This book makes you reevaluate what is right and wrong and is equal equivalent....
Side bar: I want to know what happened during his time in prison... Did I miss chapters?

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 — only read it because it’s my mom’s favorite book and i’m glad i did! really philosophical and thought provoking and makes u not only rethink the binary of morality but also why certain things are considered morally good and bad in different contexts. even though it was through a religious lens and i don’t consider myself to be that, i found it really fitting