A Little Devil in America

Hanif Abdurraqib's book isn't explicitly about race. It is, as it says in the title, an ode to Black performance. But race is the topic of this work from the first page to the last. And I'm happy to say, it's a book I wrestled with, not the least because I often disagreed with the observations Abdurraqib makes about his own life.One part history book, one part autobiography, Abdurraqib lenses his experiences and his studies on Black performers through the racial conflicts of our time. I regularly wondered at some of his reported experiences. He regularly attributes hardships to his race but I, a white man, have encountered many of the same feelings of isolation, otherism and aggression he reports. Race issues carry the weight of import here, noticeable especially when he describes non-race issues (and how little of an impact they have beside other stories in the book). At times, I found myself wishing he'd draw the same conclusions as one of his heroes: that we are blessed to suffer hardship.But at the end of the day, I found myself enthralled in the telling of his experience. Whether I would draw the same conclusions about his experiences as Abdurraqib is hardly the point of the book. The story he weaves over a number of connected essays is powerful because he has put his own views alongside his history lessons. There is never a moment in which I imagined his views were irrational; there wasn't a point I thought him guilty of exaggerating for effect.This is why this book is so important. It is an honest attempt by the writer, Abdurraqib, to relay the vision of his life, knowing any reader from any background can pick it up and pick apart his thoughts. Abdurraqib seems little interested in pushing a particular set of policies or ideas. Instead, he is letting his reader into his life, into his point of view, and that in itself is fascinating enough that I was sad to see the book come to a close.Abdurraqib is very likely one of America's best communicators because he communicates from his soul to anyone willing to listen. This book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand perspectives different from their own, which in the name of peace between brothers and sisters, ought to be anyone.

Das Buch ist einfach Super. Ich bin glücklich. Vielen Dank nochmal.

DAMN this writer has flair. And literary skill. And delicate sensitivity. And the incredible mind to dextrously weave together endlessly rich cultural references with his own stories. I drank this collection in so deeply, I didn't want it to end. It's not often that I pause in the middle of a book and think "I'm in the presence of greatness" but I felt like this multiple times reading this. 100% would recommend.Also, it's funny and tender as well as being razor sharp, deep, intelligent, profound. loved it.

Beautifully written, lyrical, and informative.

I loved this book and didn't want it to end.