This book covers a few brief years (from the late 1950s until Malcolm's assassination in 1965) and details Ali's rise to Heavyweight Champion of the World, Malcolm's break from the Nation of Islam, the rise and eventual fall of their friendship. It's the sort of book where nobody comes off looking all that good. I'll be honest - not an Ali fan. There are certain things I respect about the man, but this book covers the period immediately before and after Ali defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title. It's easy to forget now, what with the canonization of Ali that has occurred over the past 20 to 30-odd years - but he was a once a young man. A young, insufferable, 21-year-old kid. It truly is amazing what Ali was accomplishing (both personally and professionally) at such a young age - but I'm an old lady now. I'll be honest, it's a rare 20-something that I don't find insufferable.
The book is interesting and it's obvious the authors put a lot of time in researching it. But where this book sings is in the final third after Malcolm has broken with the Nation and he's got a giant target painted on his back. Look, you know what's going to happen. Malcolm is going to die. But knowing that doesn't make the final chapters of this book any less suspenseful. It's like a thriller towards the end, as Malcolm is slowly marching towards his final destination. I'll be blunt: it's a nail-biter, even though you know exactly how it's going to end.
It's an interesting mix of race, politics, social history and boxing. If you're a non-fiction reader, chances are there's at least a little something to appeal to you here. It's a book about complex men, one of whom finds himself on the path to tragic destiny. It's not an easy read, but then history seldom is.
Final Grade = B+
The plot is basically Bernie Madoff. Wealthy hedge fund guy swindles a bunch of people, and then disappears off the face of the Earth, presumed dead. The heroine is a single mom who works for an upscale interior designer in New York City. Through a series of events she ends up dating, and falling for, the missing-Bernie-Madoff-like-guy's son. The son is also in investment/finance and the assumption is that he's in cahoots with Daddy Dearest. Is he innocent or is he a scumbag?
What Clark does well in this book are what I consider her trademarks. She's the master at juggling multiple points of view and peppering in misdirection. She's one of the standard bearers when it comes to introducing multiple characters and then setting them on a collision course - all coming together for a dramatic finish of the novel.
What doesn't work well in this book? The heroine. When the heroine isn't uninteresting, she's annoying. She's like a reactive Mary Sue. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth and she wouldn't know proactive if it hit her upside the head. She's the type of heroine who "reacts" to what is around her and she takes zero initiative. She never thinks to ask why - about anything. Plus it doesn't help that she's raising her daughter, the very definition of Plot Moppet; a kid so cutesy-wootsy I'm keeping my uncharitable thoughts to myself before one of my Dear Blog Readers has me committed.
The story marches on to the conclusion, which is OK but not terribly suspenseful. Mary Sue comes off smelling like a rose, even though she's a ninny. Blah, blah, blah - The End.
I've read worse (Lord knows I have), but this isn't very strong at all. Especially given my fond memories for 1980s/1990s era MHC. Which makes me wonder: is it just the more recent work that is problematic? Or are my fond memories colored by rose-tinted glasses? Is this a case of nostalgia getting the better of me? Whatever it is, I think I'll dip further back in the MHC's archives for my next read by her, just to satisfy my curiosity.
Final Grade = D+
