Xavier Britton > Recent Status Updates

Man, this intro feels like a slog. The author of this part keeps bringing up seemingly VERY important story feats and is expecting me to understand. I get the concepts he’s bringing up, but I’m still confused as to why this is an “intro”? This sounds like more of a recap. I’m ready to read the actual story. I’m getting tired of this guy explaining it before I even have the chance to read it myself.

I’m reading a version with a lengthy introduction that provides context about the author during the writing of the book. Its seeming to drag on, unfortunately. The content comes off as important, but it’s hard to tell when I don’t have the rest of the book to draw on. Most of what I gathered so far is that his previous book, Grapes of Wrath, was partly a reflection of his past marriage. This one acts similar.

During the intro, I was worried I wouldn’t be getting the experience I was looking for. There was some preamble, and considering that (in a way) I’m still learning how to read, it was intimidating. However, once we started getting into the story of Demeter, that worry faded. I was able to follow the book much better, and find a flow. Dionysus’ story is all about nuance; the good and bad of the god of wine.

The idea of reminding white people of their whiteness simply with a black mans presence is so real. Ive related to that feeling of interrupting something whenever I enter white spaces. Its nice hearing someone else talk about it.

The story about Mwata getting pulled over is interesting in the sense that I was making excuses for the cop in the moment. I knew where the story was going, but I kept thinking about how that cop was justified and that he shouldn’t have been surprised. Im baffled that my brain played that game on me, and I’m glad I recognized the problem with it. I’ve learned to think that way, and I’m learning out of it.

So far, it’s interesting. As a biracial man, it’s so odd reading it. It feels like I’m in the limbo space where I’m an outsider to both sides being referenced. I can relate to the black experiences so far though. Looking forward to continuing it.