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trulydelulu's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
washed_guapi_lee's review against another edition
3.0
I read most of these stories last summer. Finally finished the last couple. Over that span of time, the literati have loved on this book. I do not. There are so many beautiful sentences, but very few stories that will stay with me. While it seems a lot of the praise is about the nuanced ways Brinkley explores masculinity within Black/Latinx men in NY in the late 90s-00s, it just feels like a lot of dancing around the harm of how and why we express it. Also the stakes get developed so well, only to arrive at soft landing after soft landing. I never felt like the consequences or ethics around circumstances did justice to the expository parts of the shorts. "J'ouvert, 1996" was my favorite though, followed by the title story.
booksrachelreads's review against another edition
3.0
This is impressive as a debut short story collection. I can tell the author gave everything to this book and cares so deeply for these characters to be given a voice
Jamel is AMAZING at writing intense and real main characters in each of these stories. The male leads were so descriptive and fully human. You could tell he put his whole heart into them and wasn’t trying to make them likeable or unlikeable, but was just trying to write them authentically. I was very impressed with that and the way that he showcased the complicated relationships that existed for them as they were coming into their own identity
That being said, I felt like each of these stories was building towards something that never got there for me. There was suspense and anticipation in each one but it felt like nothing happened and they ended abruptly. I can’t applaud his writing and creation of characters enough but that didn’t translate well to the plot of these stories from my perspective
Also, I understand that this is a collection based on the experience and development of black masculinity, but the female characters mostly felt shallow and under-developed to me. They were often described in over-sexualized and almost carnal ways which didn’t sit well with me and affected my overall experience
I don’t have a ton of history reading short stories, so I think my brain is still learning how to appreciate them for what they are. I would recommend this if you enjoy collections that are very character driven with strongly written leads and gorgeous prose
Jamel is AMAZING at writing intense and real main characters in each of these stories. The male leads were so descriptive and fully human. You could tell he put his whole heart into them and wasn’t trying to make them likeable or unlikeable, but was just trying to write them authentically. I was very impressed with that and the way that he showcased the complicated relationships that existed for them as they were coming into their own identity
That being said, I felt like each of these stories was building towards something that never got there for me. There was suspense and anticipation in each one but it felt like nothing happened and they ended abruptly. I can’t applaud his writing and creation of characters enough but that didn’t translate well to the plot of these stories from my perspective
Also, I understand that this is a collection based on the experience and development of black masculinity, but the female characters mostly felt shallow and under-developed to me. They were often described in over-sexualized and almost carnal ways which didn’t sit well with me and affected my overall experience
I don’t have a ton of history reading short stories, so I think my brain is still learning how to appreciate them for what they are. I would recommend this if you enjoy collections that are very character driven with strongly written leads and gorgeous prose
torihoo's review against another edition
2.0
A good read, wonderfully crafted short stories. Just moved a little slow for me personally.
ducksfloat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Such a raw look into masculinity, even to an uncomfortably (necessarily so) point.
lynecia's review against another edition
5.0
Jamel Brinkley’s A Lucky Man is a collection of short stories that comprise a tender and thoughtful interrogation of masculinity in all its complexity. We journey with characters in the bloom of manhood and those navigating the struggle of past trauma, hurts and life’s unsettling disappointments. Even in the shorter pieces here, there lies a myriad of insightful and interesting themes ever unfurling, some deployed with great care and gravitas of a writer who has honed his craft consistently and skillfully; and some with a wink and a smile. And that is where, to me Brinkley’s brilliance lies.
Set in my stomping grounds of New York City, mainly in The Bronx and Brooklyn, it was especially wonderful to see my City on the page. But more than that, it’s been a while since I’ve encountered (perhaps I never have) a writer who has done such justice to stories of the men and boys who inhabit my corner of the world, and for that I feel grateful to have read this. Though only one story here contains the point-of-view of a female character, I did not feel alienated at all. In fact, I feel like there is a kind of vulnerability to some of these stories that was very moving and drew me in.
The heart-rending “Everything the Mouth Eats” and the exhilarating imagery “J’ouvert 1996” were standouts for me. If you pick this up, proceed straight there! (But don’t play yourself and miss out on the rest).
Undoubtedly, this has earned itself a spot on my Top Books of 2018.
Read it.
Set in my stomping grounds of New York City, mainly in The Bronx and Brooklyn, it was especially wonderful to see my City on the page. But more than that, it’s been a while since I’ve encountered (perhaps I never have) a writer who has done such justice to stories of the men and boys who inhabit my corner of the world, and for that I feel grateful to have read this. Though only one story here contains the point-of-view of a female character, I did not feel alienated at all. In fact, I feel like there is a kind of vulnerability to some of these stories that was very moving and drew me in.
The heart-rending “Everything the Mouth Eats” and the exhilarating imagery “J’ouvert 1996” were standouts for me. If you pick this up, proceed straight there! (But don’t play yourself and miss out on the rest).
Undoubtedly, this has earned itself a spot on my Top Books of 2018.
Read it.
seymone's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Brinkley is incredibly deft at creating short stories that capture your imagination and transport you into the actual storyline. I found the prose of some of these stories, to be superbly lyrical - at times, I had to really stop and appreciate, the imagery and emotions evoked by the lyricism.
Brinkley is incredibly deft at creating short stories that capture your imagination and transport you into the actual storyline. I found the prose of some of these stories, to be superbly lyrical - at times, I had to really stop and appreciate, the imagery and emotions evoked by the lyricism.
marta_fiona's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0