Juice!

I was browsing the new African-American literature section at the library when the spine for Juice! jumped out at me. It has been over a decade since I've read an Ishmael Reed novel and I figured I would check this new one out. Like his previous work that I'd read, this book was highly literary and political with commentary about race relations. And when I say highly literary I mean there is pretty much no plot whatsoever. The main character is obsessed with the O.J. Simpson trial and the book is largely the character's commentary about the trial as well as examples of racism in the media spanning up to the present day. It was a very eye-opening book, one which Alan is probably happy I'm finished with because I could barely read two pages without saying, "Hey, listen to this..." I like books that challenge me as a person, challenge my view of the world and this book did that. I have to admit I steered far away from the O.J. Simpson trial and had absolutely no interest in hearing about it so the information about the trial was mostly new to me. I think it would be interesting to hear how someone who followed the trial closely thought of the book. Regardless, if the topic of race relations in America interests you, it's a worthwhile read.