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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1414
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 01:40 pm: | 
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Has anyone read Walter Mosley's Fortunate Son? |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 295
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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I did, Yukio. I'm a big Mosley fan and although I think he's an incredible storyteller, I have mixed feelings about Fortunate Son. It was not one of my favorites. |
Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1419
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:15 am: |
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Babygirl:
It actually the first I've read. I couldn't complete his others. I too was torn with the story...I wasn't too persuaded by his white character, but I want to reread because I think Mosley's trying to address both the difficulties and humanity of the black man...as compared to the humanity, fragility, power of white men...but this is only a rudimentary thought... |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 296
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 07:07 pm: |
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I think his addressing the difficulties and the humanity of the black man was mired down in that same black man's complacency about his lot in life. The character(s) were just too accepting, too condoning, too tolerant of every negative thing that happened to them/him which I found to be somewhat insulting to black men as a whole. As well, I had some issues with Mosley's maternal figures as well, but like you it's on my desk to be reread when I can look at it with a more objective eye. I read it in search of pure entertainment and was disappointed. I've enjoyed his Easy Rawlin's mysteries for their entertainment value but RL's Dream probably remains my favorite of his writings because I think it thoroughly showcased the full depth of his literary talents.
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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1430
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 01:51 pm: |
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Babygirl:
Interesting point. Could you say more about this complacency and the maternal figures of which you speak? |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 298
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 01:15 am: |
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Yukio, sorry for the delay in responding. Tight deadlines to meet.
I found Mosley's black character Thomas to be annoying at best. First he's born disadvantaged: poor, black, and physically weak from a heart defect. His saving grace is that he's intelligent, but he is hopelessly naive. He grows up struggling, faces humiliation, tribulations, survives abuses, neglect, is abandoned, almost killed, becomes homeless and through it all he maintains this happy-go-lucky facade that seemed too contrived. There was no depth to him. If Mosley's point with this character was to liken him to black men as a whole and their respective difficulties in society, then he was essentially saying that no matter what's thrown at a black man he's going to keep smiling and just take it. That he has no backbone and even a minor semblance of intelligence will not move him above and beyond his lot in life.
As for the female characters, the mother, Branwyn came across as too disconnected and was not at all representative of the strong black mother that has actually raised black children. As well, her mother, Thomas' grandmother was just a complete waste. And I could have slapped the Vietnamese nanny for her "keep running and don't look back attitude".
I think because the tone of this books was so dry that it didn't allow the reader to actually connect with the characters so that you liked them or wanted to root for them. Definitely not one of my favorite's from Walter. |
Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1460
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 08:24 pm: |
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interesting interpretation.
I thought Thomas had character. In comparison to his white brother, Thomas was stronger...in comparison to his childhood friend's sister's husband, Thomas again was portrayed as more honorable [i don't remember the name of the other characters...LOL].
I think we were meant to juxapose Eric to Thomas. This is the reason for giving Eric everything...wealth, whiteness, good looks, svengali like powers...its not that Thomas doesn't have "no backbone," but that he has so much that his humility is greater than all of the attainments Eric could ever have.
Hmmm...I don't have much to say about the women. You are right...Mosley didn't do anything with them!
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Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 398
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 12:22 am: |
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I read Fortunate Son (http://aalbc.com/authors/walter.htm) last week. I actually attended a book club meeting at the National Book Club Conference (http://events.aalbc.com/nbcc2006.htm) where Walter discussed the book.
As it turned out, there was not much discussion of the book. However, I do recall Walter saying that one son was "Lucky" while the other had "Good Fortune".
Thomas was "The Fortunate Son". As I understood the explaination Thomas, despite his cruel hardships, lack of education, etc was truly free. Unlike Eric who had everything but was never truly happy -- at least not without Thomas' guidance and help understanding the nature of things.
The race of the characters was not an issue -- indeed the brothers, Thomas and Eric, never raise it as an issue themselves.
I actually enjoyed the book. No, I would not put it at the top of my favorite reads but I was looking forward to seeing how it turned out and I was not terribly disappointed.
It also got me thinking about the power of love.
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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1461
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 08:34 am: |
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ok...SO troy besides my comment on race, by interpretation is basically parallel to the authors...
I think, however, that Babygirl's points are more substantive than mine or even Mosley; we are "fortunate" that what the author thinks the story is about doesn't have to limit our impression of the work! |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 400
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 01:27 pm: |
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Yukio, absolutely; generally the reader audience will extract much more from a book than an author could have ever intended. This our course is what makes reading such a personal experience.
I found babgirl's comments interesting and for the most part agree with them. However the impact upon my impression of the book was not the same as it was for her.
Injecting race into the equation was natural for most people -- and not necessarily "incorrect". Consider the question raised by someone: "Why didn't you make Thomas (the Black brother) naturally successful anf Eric (the white brother)the Homeless one?" Would this change have made a difference in the book for you?
Many people in the audeince loved and were greatly moved by the book.
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