I started reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James a few months ago, initially checking out an ebook from the online Public Library. I didn’t quite finish it before I had to return it. However, this time around, the library had the audiobook version available, so I obtained a copy and that’s what I’m currently listening to.

Anticipating “Black Leopard, Red Wolf”

Initially, I was highly anticipating reading this book after hearing about an author who was described as writing a “black Game of Thrones.” While I haven’t read the Game of Thrones books, comparing it to the TV show, I’m not entirely sure if I’d say it’s similar, but it is a fantasy novel. (Update: After the initial third of the book, I’d say it become more of a Lord of the Rings type quest.) Black Leopard, Red Wolf has more fantasy elements with witchcraft, shadow walkers, and large monsters compared to Game of Thrones, whose fantasy elements primarily focuses on magic and dragons.

Representation in Fantasy: A Critical Perspective

The appeal of Game of Thrones lies in its intricacies, dialogue, relationships, and character development. While these elements are present here to some extent, I was drawn to this book due to its comparison to the “black African Game of Thrones.”

You know, Game of Thrones was such a popular and well-received show, at least for several seasons. Watching the series, one glaring issue was the lack of black or non-white characters. Even when non-white characters did appear, they were often depicted as savages or slaves. This kind of representation is not what we need. Moreover, when you think beyond this show, there are hardly any equivalent TV series or movies with diverse casts. Yes, there was Black Panther, which came out two years ago, but if you look at science fiction or fantasy shows and movies over the decades, the majority feature predominantly white casts, lacking diversity.

So, I was drawn to this book before its release and eagerly anticipated reading it. As I delved into it, I encountered mixed reviews. While many loved it, others found it challenging to connect with. Despite this, I persevered, and positive reviews still abound, right?

My first exposure to the book was through a free preview sample on Amazon, reading the opening chapter or part of it. I found myself intrigued by some aspects of the story, but I must admit the writing style required some adjustment. At times, I had to pause and reflect, wondering, “What’s going on here? Where is this leading?”

Overcoming Initial Challenges

Despite the initial challenges with the writing style, particularly the violence, I found the story of Tracker rescuing the king from the city and being chased by the Omoluzu to be very intriguing. I’m even considering commissioning someone to visualize that scene, and I might still do so. Currently, I’m listening to the audiobook and have progressed past that section. Once I got over the initial hurdle, the story started flowing more smoothly, like overcoming a hump.

I’ve noticed others sharing similar sentiments, although some mentioned that the challenging part lasted longer for them, possibly halfway through the book. Hopefully, it gets even better from here. Overall, that first section required some adjustment, but now I’m getting a better sense of the book’s rhythm.

Giving It a Chance

So, to anyone who might be struggling to get into the book, I would say keep reading a bit further, give it a chance, and allow yourself an adjustment period. You might find yourself enjoying it more as you progress. Personally, I’m almost finished with it, and I have positive feelings about the overall experience.

Exploring Narrative Reliability

In an interview with Marlon James, I learned that we should question the validity of what the protagonist, Tracker, is telling us. The story unfolds from Tracker’s perspective, and he’s accused by an official called the Inquisitor of possibly killing a lord. Tracker recounts his journey and experiences, but the reliability of his narrative is open to interpretation.

I’ve even considered questioning the existence of the fantasy elements described in the book. At one point, the Inquisitor doubts Tracker’s claims about visiting a strange land with beasts and other fantastical elements. Perhaps Tracker is embellishing or distracted in his storytelling. It’s intriguing to think about how much of this narrative is truth or fiction.

Original draft written in November 2019