Book Review: Deacon King Kong

Deacon King Kong

By James McBride

My own copy

I loved James McBride's newest novel, Deacon King Kong. It was a fantastic read. When you read it you should savor every word.

 Several book clubs have formed out of virtual zoom meetings on from Oprah, The NYCc library system because of lockdown. Deacon King Kong is a perfect read for this time and because of the themes. The timing couldn't be more perfect. 

It is a perfect read for book discussion  during lockdown because of the isolation in many of the communities. Now lockdown is over it is still a good book to reflect on the importance of community.

I will keep the book on my shelf. Not a book I want to giveaway, I recommend Deacon King Kong for anyone who misses community. Anyone who is lonely, and looking for a pick me up. 

My thoughts about the novel, first it is wonderful! At first I wasn't so keen on so many characters. There is so many to keep up on, too many to count. But, you will realize later why. It is the point of the novel. But believe me it gives so much to the book. Different perspectives, and rich diversity of characters. Trying to keep up with the characters can be a challenge at times. The characters are so colorful, and bigger than life, and great humor to bring to the story, eq. are Sportscoat, Big Sausage, and Elephante to name a few. Don't you just love the names?

Deacon King Kong is set in Brooklyn, 1969,  after Robert Kennedy(1968), and Martin Luther King shot, before crack use was prevalent. Just to set up the cultural history.

Sport coat, who is the Deacon in the church, and he's best friend, Big Sausage who is the janitor in the projects. Sport coat is an elderly black man. He is always has he's hands in the drink called, King Kong, 

He's wife Hettie drowned a few years ago, She is always on Sport coat's mind. He is constantly having conversations with Hettie( in his mind). The church has been wondering what has happened to the church money that Hettie was responsible for. It was never found.

One day Deems is seen by Sport coat dealing in front of the church by the flagpole. The church members observe Sport coat shoot Deems. He is not killed, just wounded. What I loved is Sport coat doesn't remember the incident. He swears he didn't shoots Deems. Is it because it is too horrible for him to remember?  The police are searching for the shooter throughout the book. Where is he, and who? Deems doesn't turn him in, and neither does the observers, and community. This was a bit strange. I felt they were protecting him. There is more to the shooting that you will learn about as you read the novel.  

There is so many comical parts and lots of humor. If you can believe it. there ants included in the story too. Ants you say. What is with t he ants? You will just have to read the book. All I will say is... It was so hysterical I couldn't help laughing.  There is also a mystery that is solved at almost the end of the novel.  There is a tiny piece involving a piece of art, also involving drugs, Italians, and drug gangs too. 

The best part there is if you can believe it too. A woman, black assassin added to the mix. Wow! what else can Mr. McBride's imagination add to the story. 

I loved the peeling of layers and layers added to the characters. It is like an onion that keeps peeling. But, then the author abruptly interrupts the suspense. He then stops in his tracks to go on to another part of the story, DARN! You don't want him to stop. He keeps doing this. Oh well, you will just have to wait. And there is a romance, and historical part in the book too. 

The community of Brooklyn, and the projects mesh with the character of the novel. Which include gangs, mafia, drugs, old, young, Italians, Hispanics, etc.  The statue of Liberty adds to the story, the community  the diverse people, the culture, and the surrounding community within the community, and around  the perimeter of Brooklyn you can see the Statue of Liberty in the background has meaning. . We still have hope, and we still have work to do to better our community. It is a perfect read to remember what life was like before the pandemic. It is written for a native New Yorker. It is a love song, a tribute for his childhood life in NYC. But, also the people of NY... And even our communities. Thank you Mr. McBride for writing a fantastic read. He is also the author of Weight of Water. 

Deacon King Kong is a slow read you have to take in slow savoring bites.  I enjoyed reading. I have not felt this way about  a book in a long time.