Book Review: Jamel Brinkley,  A Lucky Man

Excerpt

Jamel Brinkley’s book, A Lucky Man, is about black males living out the wild curiosities and challenges that come with life. Within its covers, there are stories of the shining hearts of people. There are spoiled and corrupted relationships. There are characters with conflicting thoughts, daily fears, and deep and passionate loves. Jamel Brinkley’s book is not particularly about race or injustice. It is not about good versus evil or rights versus wrongs. His collection of stories are fictional but realistic accounts of black youth as they navigate the complex world around them. His stories discuss and share the perspectives of African American men in mostly New York and communities such as Harlem, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. They talk of luck, of patience, of brotherhood, of lust and desire, and the wilderness in which freedom can be found. There are lessons about the lack of honorable role models and tethered relationships with fathers. These collection of stories convey that patience or lack thereof can result in success and/or failure. Brinkley’s collections suggest that masculinity can come with toxicity, confusion, and unrest in the souls of men; at the same time, it can be accompanied by love and compassion. The final lesson Brinkley passes along to readers is that life is not simple. There is no cookie-cutter or divine ending nor is there a smooth paved road that leads to a life of truth. But, that meaning can be found in all things. …