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A review by carolpk
Black Flies by Shannon Burke
4.0
The Hook - The recommendation of a GR friend led me to this book. It is Shannon Burke's second novel. The subject of a rookie paramedic in Harlem piqued my interest.
The Line – "I worked in Harlem and the place had begun to annoy me:" this is the beginning of the opening line, the prologue, our prep so to speak. If you want to see, to learn, to understand what annoys Ollie Cross you'll have to read the book.
The Sinker – Now that's what I call different. Not at all what I was expecting. Black Flies is staccato story telling, a no holds barred ride along in the first year of this paramedic. It read like narrative non-fiction. I'm hoping not all rookies experience the job as Ollie Cross does. Ollie should have been in med school but when he fails his MCATS he needs something to do while he prepares to try again. From the moment Cross's partner calls "Showtime" and tosses him the tube kit we know this is a story that illustrates the thin line between life and death. What we may not realize is where death and the cruelty of life may come from. I didn't like all that unfolded on these pages but I was mesmerized. I kept telling myself "it's fiction" but I'm not positive that's so. Shannon Burke is extremely talented in his delivery. Tense, tight, real, Black Flies is not for the weak-stomached. It is not for someone expecting an ambulance team who saves the victim and all is well. It is darn good and it is different.
The Line – "I worked in Harlem and the place had begun to annoy me:" this is the beginning of the opening line, the prologue, our prep so to speak. If you want to see, to learn, to understand what annoys Ollie Cross you'll have to read the book.
The Sinker – Now that's what I call different. Not at all what I was expecting. Black Flies is staccato story telling, a no holds barred ride along in the first year of this paramedic. It read like narrative non-fiction. I'm hoping not all rookies experience the job as Ollie Cross does. Ollie should have been in med school but when he fails his MCATS he needs something to do while he prepares to try again. From the moment Cross's partner calls "Showtime" and tosses him the tube kit we know this is a story that illustrates the thin line between life and death. What we may not realize is where death and the cruelty of life may come from. I didn't like all that unfolded on these pages but I was mesmerized. I kept telling myself "it's fiction" but I'm not positive that's so. Shannon Burke is extremely talented in his delivery. Tense, tight, real, Black Flies is not for the weak-stomached. It is not for someone expecting an ambulance team who saves the victim and all is well. It is darn good and it is different.