Review: Marlon James Fails to Deliver a Spellbinding Epic with “Black Leopard, Red Wolf”
By: Albert Williams
The news came down that Marlon James’ new book was out and I was gleeful like a pig in mud. James, fresh off winning the Man Booker Prize in 2015 for his Brilliant novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings, had triggered the fan-boy gene in me. Since then, I have read all his books and followed him on social media, gobbling up his quotes and rants. Being a fan-boy meant I had no reservation in throwing all my coins at his new book in hardcover, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the first installment in a trilogy James describes as “Game of Thrones” if it were set in Africa. He has since stated this was a joke when faced with pushback by readers. My reaction upon reading this 620-page epic centers on confusion. Black Leopard, Red Wolf is an enigma within a conundrum, a labyrinth within a maze, in short, it is a lot.
The novel pivots on Tracker, a mercenary contracted to find a missing child taken by mysterious beings for no clear reason. The protagonist is smug with no discernible charm making it hard for readers to connect or find interest in him. We are bludgeoned with the characterization of Tracker as a loner, so we brace for fireworks now he is being forced to work with a cadre of bounty hunters. I expected more from James than this trite attempt to create conflict. I have come to respect his masterful use of the human condition to construct antagonism in his work, but this was not it.
It is a decidedly difficult read as the first chapter explodes with a stream-of-consciousness that meanders and goes nowhere. The rapidly changing scenes and new characters, added ad nauseam, makes it impossible to keep track of the subplots that occur throughout the journey. The elusive plotline tracks across the continent of Africa in an undefined time-period which succeeds in further confusing readers. I don’t mind a long read, but Black Leopard, Red Wolf is unjustly laborious. I became a page-counter; desperate to get to the end.
James threw everything into this book except a giant, yellow, blinking, neon trigger warning for depictions of rape, gang rape, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, graphic murder, torture, and blatant misogyny. A search for a positive depiction of a female character in Black Leopard, Red Wolf will be futile. Witches, irresponsible mothers and harlots are littered throughout the novel without much effort in developing these women beyond this one-dimensional view. James does not end there; he appears to reserve the worst and most gruesome deaths for these characters. In most instances these deaths were excessive. What is most troubling is this addition does nothing to further the plotline, which has forced me to question his motives knowing his skill as a writer.
To I say I am disappointed would be a lie, because it is more than disappointment that I feel inside…excuse my rephrasing of Michael Bolton’s song. James is a gifted writer, no doubt about it. However, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, his most ambitious work to date, fails to deliver a solid performance like any of his previous books. Simply put, it was like Tyler Perry attempting to be J.K Rowling. Will I read future works from this proven brilliant writer? Yes, I will. Will I purchase them in hardcover? It’s a strong no from me!
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
2019. Riverhead Books: 620 Pages; Hardcover $20.99
Albert Williams is a lover of books and the world they offer up to him. As a former teacher of English, he is passionate about introducing people to the joys of reading.
