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Book Review of Black Betty (Easy Rawlins, Bk 4)

Black Betty (Easy Rawlins, Bk 4)
pogosmith avatar reviewed on + 20 more book reviews


I love this book and Walter Mosley's style.

Most positive:
-interesting detective story
-philosopher and poet mixed with detective is crazy material (see quote below)
-cultural authenticity--South LA in 50's, 60's; black culture TX and other places
-page turner--anything might happen; well constructed plot
-unusual characters and beautiful character sketches

Negatives:
-too many characters; couldn't keep them in mind; many are from other Easy Rawlins books, so repeat readers are less confused, but I am too old to keep everything straight--that said, many of the characters are not essential to the story

Here is a quote to illustrate his unique philosophical-lyrical style:


"There are few things as beautiful as a glass bottle filled with deep amber whiskey. Liquor shines when the light hits it, reminiscent of precious things like jewels and gold. But whiskey is better than some lifeless bracelet or coronet. Whiskey is a living thing capable of any emotion that you are. It's love and deep laughter and brotherhood of the type that bonds nations together.

Whiskey is your friend when nobody else comes around. And whiskey is solace that holds you tighter than most lovers can.

I thought all that while looking at my sealed bottle. And I knew for a fact that it was all true.

True the way a lover's pillow talk is true. True the way a mother's dreams for her napping infant are true."