Drop

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful debut novel :)
Review: This particular book took me by surpize. I was drawn into the story immediatly. The adventure wastes no time from the first page to the last. Johnson's insight was witty and fun. He can transform any situation into real events and real dilemas; a wonderful debut novel! Johnson is a new young storyteller star, told by a new generation with a whole new style. A story any urban, young (or old) reader would enjoy; a kind-of book I would recomend and read again! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Clever debut!
Review: While "Drop" was a little shaky in some areas, I think that Mat Johnson's debut was clever, fresh, innovative and intriguing. Reviewer, Marcelle Washington, I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding the direction of Black fiction. I am a writer and I am so sick and tired of the same recycled drivel being cranked out by these authors. Terry McMillan started the trend (and she was good), but the authors that followed her took it and ran in a totally zig-zagged direction... veering off course. While these books are in fact appealing to a large group of people, there is nothing fresh or innovative about them.

I think Black authors like Mat Johnson, Andrea Lee, Octavia Butler, Suzan Lori Parks and writers of the like write for the art and the intellect of those of us who appreciate clever ideas, as opposed to those who write for the money. He follows in the literary tradition of Walter Moseley, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin etc.

Drop is a much needed break from the norm and I enjoyed it. I felt a little ripped off towards the end, but all in all, a really great start from Mat Johnson. He more than makes up for it with Hunting in Harlem!