Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion
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Deacon King Kong
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Discussion: Deacon King Kong
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Oct 10, 2020 07:04AM
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Ch. 1-7 ———- Nov 2nd thru 8th
Ch. 8-12 ——— Nov 9th thru 13th
Ch. 13-19 ———Nov 14th thru 19th
Entire book open on Nov 20th
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Who will be reading and discussing DEACON KING KONG with us? How far along are you? I intend to read along with the schedule so I’m now in Chapter 7.
I love this author myself. I’ve read:
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother - loved it
Song Yet Sung - liked it a lot
The Good Lord Bird - loved it (saw the first episode of the Showtime miniseries on netflix and enjoyed it)
Which books have you read? The discussion will start tomorrow.
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https://www.jamesmcbride.com/bio/
McBride wiki page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M...
McBride talking DDK @ B&N (video - 1min)
https://youtu.be/k5dJD4yPBzY
MCBride w/Free Library of Philadelphia in a talk (video - 57min)
https://youtu.be/mpQpOJmWyPo
McBride interview w/Michel Martin (video 18min)
https://youtu.be/6xsfzaF1KUY
ColumbusReads wrote: "Happy November 1st!Who will be reading and discussing DEACON KING KONG with us? How far along are you? I intend to read along with the schedule so I’m now in Chapter 7.
I love this author myself..."I read The Color of Water. Actually my mother actually knew McBride's mother. She told me that no one paid too much attention to her race. She was just another woman in the neighborhood with all of these children.
I’m looking forward to it! This will be my first book by McBride.
I think James McBride might be my favorite author, based on only the two books I've read, this one and The Good Lord Bird. I love his storytelling, his characters and the joy and rhythm of the writing. I've been purposely pacing myself with his other books, since I don't want to run out of McBride's. I read Deacon when it came out in March, so my memory of details will be weak, but I look forward to reliving the experience of reading it through the eyes of all of you :)
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Who will be reading and discussing DEACON KING KONG with us? How far along are you? I intend to read along with the schedule so I’m now in Chapter 7.
I l..."
Although I love McBride’s fiction, The Color Of Money might be my favorite by him. Although it came highly recommended to me, I was still taken by surprise by this book. I couldn’t stop thinking about the family and his writing.
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Really anxious to hear your thoughts, Carole.
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It’s funny, I mentioned to someone earlier when I had completed like 4 chapters that I was finding this book only “mildly interesting.” I quickly thought that the McBride mystique was faltering. Uh, nope. I just finished the first seven chapters and to say I’m enthralled, immersed and engrossed would be an understatement. More on that tomorrow....
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Are you watching The Good Lord Bird miniseries on Showtime? Ethan Hawke plays abolitionist John Brown. A seething, spitting, proselytizing bible-thumping John Brown. A performance that’s equally hilarious and riveting. I don’t have Showtime but the first episode is available on Netflix. Hopefully the entire series will be made available or else I’ll need to get Showtime for a couple of months.
I wouldn't say he's my favorite author but he's pretty close. I've got 4 of his books under my belt and all I've given 4 or 5 stars: Miracle at St. Anna, The Good Lord Bird, Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul, and the Color of Water. I thought the Spike Lee movie adaptation of Miracle at St. Anna was very good and under-rated. I'll be picking up Deacon on Tuesday...
ColumbusReads wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I think James McBride might be my favorite author, based on only the two books I've read, this one and The Good Lord Bird. I love his storytelling, his characters and the joy and rhy..."I'm planning a Showtime trial subscription around watching The Good Lord Bird :)
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It took me a minute to get into the book to be honest. The first four chapters didn’t grab me at all. This was unusual for a James McBride book because I’m usually riveted from the opening pages. It wasn’t the writing itself. That’s never a problem with him. There just seemed to be too, too many characters thrown in and I was getting a little confused with who was who. This problem is usually remedied with an ereader where I can use the search feature on the device. But, chapters 5-7 made up for it completely.
Side note: I don’t know if i should completely blame McBride for not remembering all the characters. My lack of focus in the last 7 months has reached new levels; From covid-19, the election, hybrid studies with an 8-yr old, some nigglin’ health issues, lack of willpower with desserts etc...it’s been a bit much. I’m certain I’m the only one experiencing these things, right!?
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Nadine wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I think James McBride might be my favorite author, based on only the two books I've read, this one and The Good Lord Bird. I love his storytelling, his characte...""Lack of willpower with desserts" I felt this very deeply, haha. This is my first McBride book and super excited since I've heard good things. I'm on Ch. 5 and enjoying it so far, looking forward to this discussion!
McBride, in these initial chapters, is loading the novel with many characters and subplots. And I'm sure the occasional red herring. I'm really waiting anxiously to see how the red ant army theme develops. He gave them their own origin story for goodness sake! While it seems that Sportcoat and Deems are the major protagonists at this point, there are so many different possible directions for the story to turn. But I suspect that the King Kong will always be within easy reach.
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I just got this book from Overdrive, but if I like it as much as I liked the other book I read by him, I don't know if I'll be able to hold back and read according to the schedule. If that happens, though, I'll be careful not to discuss anything that happens after the section we're discussing. I'm already behind, though.
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Karin, which other book did you read by him?
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ColumbusReads wrote: "William & Valerie, has it been difficult for you to read and concentrate over the last several days with the election drama and all the other distractions? Many readers I know haven’t been able to ..."I'm actually reading more these days. And now with a second corona spike maybe even more time to read?
This is the first book that I've read by this author. I am really enjoying it
ColumbusReads wrote: "Karin wrote: "I just got this book from Overdrive, but if I like it as much as I liked the other book I read by him, I don't know if I'll be able to hold back and read according to the schedule. If..."I read Song Yet Sung and it was one of the best books I've read this year by far, and I've read a record number. He is an amazing writer.
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http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/carneg...
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http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/carneg......"
I just scrolled down and looked at the longlist for the award and it was under heavy competition. Whoo!
Its a great saga. A tale of the times. I grew up in nearby New Jersey. Was a teenager in 1969 and can attest to the influx of heroin as a drug of choice for many. Basically, McBride is describing what this influx did to the stability of his Brooklyn neighborhood. Heroin, which had been around for a while, was mainly contained to the artsy set, jazz musicians, theater types, and the truly desperate, was suddenly and visibly available on most street corners and, as in this story, around the flagpole. Sportcoat represents the older generation, the up from the South immigrant, the old ways, the religious and community building pre-integration strivers. Sport cannot handle the new second generation hustlers and dope dealers.
Elephante too is representative of an older generation. One both removed and entwined with the world of Sportcoat. Deems is new money. And that Deems would chase this new money by hustling drugs instead of taking the more traditional route of pursuing his promising baseball career, coupled with the death of his wife Hettie, (and his drinking) sends Sport coat into a sort of alternate reality.
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There were 1,865 characters in this book. Were there too many? Did they all work for you? What did you think about the affair between Sister Gee and Potts?
The mystery of the Christmas Box was brought up throughout the novel. What did you think about that? What the hell happened to it?
What did you think about the ending. Was it satisfactory to you?
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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/23/bo...
ColumbusReads wrote: "The entire book is open for discussion.There were 1,865 characters in this book. Were there too many? Did they all work for you? What did you think about the affair between Sister Gee and Potts?
..."
1865? Really? Sure there were a lot of characters, but that many? I'd be hard pressed to name 50. Most that I remember were well developed. I don't remember a surplus of superfluous characters. Almost all had a back story except perhaps the church ladies. Potts and Sister Gee's (potential) love affair (was it consummated?) was not that believable to me..and a bit unnecessary..why populate the story with the last good cop in NYC who has that jungle fever? Perhaps for the movie rights?
I just received the book and will read over Thanksgiving break. Whew!!! I work in public education and have two kids of my own. It’ll be nice to stop looking at a screen and read for pleasure.
I am way behind, but have read the first six chapters. It's quite different than Song Yet Sung, but also good. I'll be back when I am finished, which might be a while (but before the end of Nov).
I'm wondering how to find the mini series, not on cable. Did a search on xfinity by the title units the name changed. Miracle at st Anna didn't sound like something I watched either. I did find the movie miracle at... And will watch. Didn't read the novel. Only one book by author by checking on here. thought this was first, enjoyed reading the good lord. 4 stars. Taking time to get into this one...
ColumbusReads wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I think James McBride might be my favorite author, based on only the two books I've read, this one and The Good Lord Bird. I love his storytelling, his characters and the joy and rhy..."I hope to find it.
ColumbusReads wrote: "November 1st is here and time to start discussing James McBride. We are discussing thru chapter 7 now. What’s your thoughts on the book?It took me a minute to get into the book to be honest. The ..."
No, you are not alone. I read the first chapter more than once, then stopped at three and read that three times even with audiobook playing. Now I am finally up to chapter 6 when everyone is probably done. I am bored and wondering if I should go on. You said 5-7 picked up its pace or interest, yet, still on chapter 6, not enthused yet.
Karin wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Karin wrote: "I just got this book from Overdrive, but if I like it as much as I liked the other book I read by him, I don't know if I'll be able to hold back and read accordi..."I have overdrive and need to read that one...
Finally got my copy and finished chapter 1...
Karin wrote: "I am way behind, but have read the first six chapters. It's quite different than Song Yet Sung, but also good. I'll be back when I am finished, which might be a while (but before the end of Nov)."Please share or elaborate on what is so different between the two.
I finally got up to chapter 10. What is up with the Christmas monies? Do you know of church members doing such a thing? I have heard of people saving it in a savings acct for such a purpose... but trusting one person or two to hold your extra funds to get christmas gifts, hm.
Any thoughts on Sister Gee with Officer "Potts"?
Any character of interest and why.
So many come in and go, but a little curious about the Elephant and the Italian, what is worth 3million that his father has been holding for the Italian?
What's going on with Sportcoat? Why he shoot the one he helped in baseball? Did he lose his marbles after the sudden mysterious death of his wife Hettie, and around chapter 9 just realized their son Pudgy?
DO you like the pace of the author? I don't. I almost gave up after the first 1-3 chapters, but as someone stated, I got to 6, it picked up for me, and on 10. I hope to read more tonight.
I do feel like the first couple of chapters was like a "dump" of characters, did take me a minute to gather all my thoughts but I'm glad McBride wrote in that way? Maybe it's just me but it helped me to put together a better web of connection with everyone and the nicknames helped. Sister Gee and Officer Potts' connection is heartbreaking yet beautiful to me and I think McBride has done a brilliant job of writing about two people who thought they had it all figured it out in life yet after meeting each other realized that they hadn't and that their connection has filled a void that they didn't know they both had.
Well, it seems that all the years of Sportcoat drinking the King Kong may have finally caught up to him and Hettie's death was what triggered his cognitive downfall. I wonder why Hettie died the way she did, was it really suicide?
I do like the pace of the book and really impressed that McBride is able to create all these characters. I think the Elephant and the old Irishman story is intriguing to me and the treasure that his father kept is a great addition. I don't want to spoil it too much for those that are still reading but I do like the backstory and what the treasure actually is if you are familiar with art history.
I still can't wrap myself around the ants. Maybe it will be wrapped up in the end? But I keep going back and forth on the meaning of them. Any thoughts on the significance of the ants? They seem to be an important marker of memorable events but I can't seem to pinpoint what they actually symbolize.
Lotty wrote: "I do feel like the first couple of chapters was like a "dump" of characters, did take me a minute to gather all my thoughts but I'm glad McBride wrote in that way? Maybe it's just me but it helped ..."Sam Sanders, of the NPR podcast "It's Been A Minute", has a great interview with James McBride about Deacon King Kong. I highly recommend it. Here's the link: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935493...
McBride talks about the ants specifically (which was a motif I also found a bit confusing). It sounds like things/elements of the book shifted from their original concept. It was interesting to hear.
Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed the convo and it was interesting to hear how the book shifted. I liked how he said the characters took the story away from him.
This is my 3rd or 4th McBride book (not 100% sure I read the Color of Water... I read Miracle at St Anna and Song Yet Sung). I'm really interested. Just finished Chapter 7. I like the slow introduction into the hood and all the regulars. It makes me think of the Wire a little and Sport reminds me of my uncle who happens to be a deacon and once was a semi pro baseball player who coached our Little League teams.
I am nearly done, and this is quite good.I am not sure how to elaborate on all of the differences between Song Yet Sung and Deacon King Kong and because I am so emotionally vested in both, am not sure I want to really break that down at this point (this is why I didn't major in English).
While this is partly a tragicomedy, it is also quite deep. I just love some of the characters in it and what McBride has done so far. Until I read the end, I can't give a final word on it. There aren't many writers of any race who write with such sensitivity and brilliance--there is nothing stereotypical about anyone, and yet he still manages to encompass things one sees in people. This book will be 4 or 5 stars for me for sure (my average most years is 3.4 but this year only 3 due to a big reading challenge that helped get through Covid with being at home too much, etc).
Before I read all of the comments (I've been waiting), even though I ultimately rounded this up to 5 stars (I was torn between 4 and 5), when I first started this I didn't like it at all, because it seemed insensitive, and at times almost callow, but when I think back, I suspect that McBride did this on purpose. As the book continues I became drawn in, gradually liking it more and more. He is extremely sensitive to the nuances of people as well as to community, and so even though it didn't seem that way at the start, each person is deftly woven and there are no stereotypes. This is a large part of what I loved about this book, and even though it starts of as a tragicomedy (as it went on, the humour worked for me), he shows hope as well, and not in a completely unrealistic, everything's coming up roses for everyone kind of way, because it is very clear that The Cause is going to continue to have the growing problems brought in by the influx of drugs, etc.There were some interesting elements in it, such as the honour among thieves (not that all had it, but the Elephant did) ants, but he didn't really finish what that was all about. I haven't figured out, if they were apparently all migrating, how the continued (evidently a queen and eggs must have stayed there), or why the path ran the way that it did, but the destruction started below the ground and worked it's way up. I wonder if it relates to the destruction of Community that was happening with the influx of the drug trade.
The character naming in this book reminds me of Walter Mosley's work. Is it me or is all the failed attempts of Earl like some Wile E Coyote stuff?
Tricia wrote: "The character naming in this book reminds me of Walter Mosley's work. Is it me or is all the failed attempts of Earl like some Wile E Coyote stuff?"I had forgotten about Earl. Yeah that was some three stooges type slapstick for sure.
Tricia wrote: "The character naming in this book reminds me of Walter Mosley's work. Is it me or is all the failed attempts of Earl like some Wile E Coyote stuff?"I hadn't thought of it until you said it, but it is a bit like that, isn't it? However, with Earl much of it was accidental, random things.
Literary Fiction by People of Color
Books mentioned in this topic
Song Yet Sung (other topics)The Color of Water (other topics)
Song Yet Sung (other topics)
The Good Lord Bird (other topics)
