The Further Tales of Tempest Landry

by Walter Mosley

A VINTAGE eBOOK ORIGINAL
 
Bestselling author Walter Mosley blends philosophy and humor in this thought-provoking exploration of race, sin, and salvation. It is the story of two men—one human and one angel—who have the power to topple heaven.
 
When Tempest Landry was accidentally shot and killed by the police, St. Peter ruled that Tempest’s sins condemned him to hell. But Tempest refused to accept damnation, and even heaven can't overrule free will. Unless he goes willingly, the order of heaven and hell will collapse and Satan will reign over the chaos. The celestial authority sends an accounting angel to earth, to convince Tempest that he should sacrifice himself for the good of the world, and casts Tempest’s soul into the body of a man who has been convicted of serious crimes.
 
While Tempest serves out another man's prison sentence, the angel Joshua is living among mankind. He has been stripped of his celestial powers, yet is still tasked with persuading Tempest to make the right choice. As the angel sees the many injustices his friend suffers, he begins to question the morality and rightness of his position.

Genres: Fiction

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2015

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

[J C0llier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short on pages but not plot

Love how Tempest and Joshua aka the Accounting Angel are both protagonists struggling with the same issue from two perspectives. Imagining life as a human is one thing but Black Man in a world that isn't always kind to Black folks is a whole another story. This story will make you laugh, think, and wish for a 100 more pages. Kudos Mr. Mosley.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tempest and Angel both continue to struggle with more of the challenges thrown at them from both life and heaven. They face many of the same questions in The Tempest Tales. Does the author seek to provide answers or just ask questions? I’m not sure this book adds to what he is saying.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably have benefitted from reading The Tempest Tales before I read this. It was a little too fantastical for me, but I did like the way the book questioned the definition of sin and the impact of free will.

[Beth Mcintyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not smart enough to enjoy this one.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of short read. Tempest Landry (deceased) doesn’t agree to St. Peter’s decision that he be denied access to heaven. Tempest is returned to human life in the form of a convicted felon while Accounting angel Joshua tries to convince him to accept his fate & enter Hell. The two men grapple with the ideas of sin and guilt.
The ending seemed a little abrupt & uneven, but I’m glad I read this book. 3.5 stars

Favorite quotes:
“Billings’s helium smile brought him up out of the chair like a grotesque and weighted balloon float in a small-town parade.”
“He shook his head, looked away, and then looked back at me. “Go on, Angel,” he said. “Go on back to that world where nuthin’ evah falls an’ nuthin’ evah breaks. If you evah wanna talk to me, I’ll be down here in the street.”

[Hyacinth Le'optimist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book both motivated me to question fundamental flaws in normative institutional/governing/social policies, such as correctional facilities, religion and human nature while, at times, making me feel mired in a jungle full of quicksand.

When I was able to climb out of the literary obfuscation, I was happy to continue reading to find out, what, if anything, would happen to the famed and very human Tempest Landry.

Not Mosley's best work, but still better than many. Will I read another Tempest book? Not too sure about that.

[GennaMaree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't as good as the first one but entertaining non the less. I love the idea of exercising free will in the way Landry did, like did he truly understand ht2law of the Lord or was he Haut a con man making an argument.

[Shameka Erby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

This captivated me to be honest. I was sad, angry, and lost, just like the characters in the book. It's a wonderful commentary on life, death, heaven, hell, salvation and love.

[Dianne Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nature of sin and life

They last in the ongoing discussions of Tempest Laundry and the Accounting Angel. I hope they continue in a next book.