TL;DR
Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom retells H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook from the perspective of Charles “Tommy” Tester, a Black man from Harlem. The short, 149-page novella reframes Lovecraft’s mythos as an explicit critique of racism and police harassment while delivering character work and a bleak, vengeful climax.
What happened
In a review of Victor LaValle’s Shirley Jackson Award–winning novella The Ballad of Black Tom, Terrence O’Brien highlights how the book repurposes H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook by centering Charles “Tommy” Tester, a Black hustler and occasional fixer from Harlem. Tommy, who is presented as familiar with arcane objects and occult knowledge, takes a job from an elderly man, Robert Suydam, after being spotted busking in Flatbush. That encounter is witnessed by Officer Malone and a private detective, Mr. Howard, who harass and attempt to intimidate Tommy. Returning for the cash offer sets in motion a confrontation between cult forces, police action, and Tommy’s own simmering rage. LaValle gives Tommy a full arc and emotional depth absent from Lovecraft’s originals; the protagonist’s escalation into the persona of Black Tom culminates in violent, indiscriminate vengeance that the review suggests may bring catastrophic consequences. The piece recommends the book as a quick, direct read and encourages buying a physical copy or supporting local libraries.
Why it matters
- It reclaims a problematic Lovecraft story by shifting the point of view to a Black protagonist, turning xenophobic source material into a critique of racism.
- The novella reframes cosmic horror to examine real-world issues like police harassment and the psychological toll of oppression.
- LaValle supplies character depth and a personal arc that reviewers find largely absent in Lovecraft’s original work, making the mythos feel more human and contemporary.
Key facts
- The Ballad of Black Tom is written by Victor LaValle and is described in the review as Shirley Jackson Award–winning.
- The story retells H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook from the viewpoint of Charles “Tommy” Tester, a Black man from Harlem.
- The novella runs approximately 149 pages, per the review.
- Tommy is portrayed as a hustler and fixer who has some practical knowledge of arcane artifacts; the book does not dwell on a detailed magic system.
- Key plot beats: Tommy is hired by Robert Suydam after busking in Flatbush; Officer Malone and a private detective, Mr. Howard, confront and try to intimidate him.
- LaValle emphasizes Tommy’s relationship with his father in scenes that add emotional weight and character development.
- The protagonist’s transformation into ‘Black Tom’ leads to vengeful actions that the review implies could have apocalyptic consequences.
- The review characterizes the novella as direct rather than subtle, and recommends purchasing a physical copy or supporting local libraries.
What to watch next
- How readers and critics respond to the novella’s explicit critique of systemic racism and police harassment in the context of cosmic horror.
- not confirmed in the source: any forthcoming screen or stage adaptations of The Ballad of Black Tom.
- not confirmed in the source: sales figures, bestseller placements, or franchise developments tied to LaValle’s novella.
Quick glossary
- Cosmic horror: A subgenre of horror that emphasizes the insignificance of humanity in the face of vast, indifferent cosmic forces.
- Novella: A work of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a full-length novel, often focused on a single narrative arc.
- Mythos: A connected set of fictional stories, creatures, and lore; often used to describe the shared universe around an author’s works.
- Shirley Jackson Award: A literary prize that recognizes outstanding achievement in psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic.
Reader FAQ
Is The Ballad of Black Tom a direct retelling of a Lovecraft story?
Yes — the novella reinterprets H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook from the perspective of Charles “Tommy” Tester, according to the review.
How long is the book?
The review states the novella is about 149 pages.
Does the book address racism?
Yes — the review describes LaValle’s version as an explicit anti-racist reworking that engages with police brutality and the psychological effects of oppression.
Has it been adapted for screen or stage?
not confirmed in the source
COLUMN ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS You need to read the subversive cosmic horror novella The Ballad of Black Tom The Shirley Jackson Award-winning book from Victor LaValle is an anti-racist take on…
Sources
- You need to read the subversive cosmic horror novella The Ballad of Black Tom
- The Ballad of Black Tom
- The Ballad of Black Tom: LaValle, Victor – Books
- The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
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