Review: Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

If you are like me, your reading selections lead you to occasionally pick the same type of book in consecutive selections. Maybe you go on a crime drama binge or maybe you pick a few historical fiction tiles in a row. I have seen many complain about this issue. But have no fear! I have a perfect reading rut buster: Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.

Friday Black is a unique collection of short stories that aim to tackle societal issues such as racism, consumerism, social justice and more. In “The Finkelstein Five,” Adjei-Brenyah gives us an unforgettable reckoning of the brutal prejudice of our justice system. In “Zimmer Land,” we see a far-too-easy-to-believe imagining of racism as sport. And in two of my personal favorites, “Friday Black” and “How to Sell a Jacket as Told by Ice King”, the author shows the horrors of consumerism and the toll it takes on us all.

I found this book captivating from the opening line all the way through the closing. The author’s artful exaggeration of important themes and behaviors forced me as the reader to contemplate their societal implication and effect. Personally I could relate to the consumerism focused stories mentioned previously and was immediately drawn to the retail savagery and emotional conflicts of the customers expertly described in the book. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and recommend to any reader Young Adult or higher.

Pick up your copy today at your local library, indie bookstore, or wherever dope literature is sold.