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Brooklyn, September 9, 2019 – H.P. Lovecraft excelled at crafting immersive mythologies and unsettling atmospheres, but his writng frequently enough stumbled with dialog and character development. More substantially, his work is demonstrably marred by racism.
A Modern Retelling Confronts Lovecraft’s Dark Side
Table of Contents
Victor LaValle’s “Teh ballad of Black Tom” reimagines a problematic lovecraft story through a vital, contemporary lens.
- Reclaiming a Narrative: LaValle retells “The Horror at Red Hook” from the perspective of a Black man, Charles “Tommy” Tester.
- Systemic Racism as Horror: The novella transforms Lovecraft’s xenophobia into a commentary on racism, police brutality, and oppression.
- Moral Ambiguity: “Black Tom” isn’t a hero, and the story avoids simplistic morality, exploring the consequences of exploitation.
- A Powerful Reimagining: LaValle salvages the strengths of Lovecraft’s mythos while confronting his failings, creating a resonant story for today.
As a fan of horror, Lovecraft’s influence is undeniable. However, ignoring the blatant racism woven into his stories is impossible. “The Horror at Red Hook” exemplifies this, following Detective Thomas Malone’s investigation of a cult in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood.
Reclaiming the Narrative
“The Ballad of Black Tom” offers a powerful response, retelling the story from the perspective of Charles “Tommy” Tester, a Black man from Harlem. Author Victor lavalle deliberately subverts the explicitly xenophobic original, transforming it into a commentary on systemic racism, police brutality, and the psychological burdens faced by those who are oppressed. It’s a story Lovecraft himself would have likely despised.
Tommy is presented as a resourceful hustler, navigating life as a courier and fixer. He possesses a quiet knowledge of magic and arcane artifacts, a detail accepted without lengthy explanation. In a longer work, this might feel underdeveloped, but the novella’s concise 149 pages prioritize narrative momentum over exhaustive world-building.
A Deal with Dark Consequences
Tommy’s pursuit of income leads him to Flatbush, where he attempts to earn money busking, despite his limited musical talent. He’s hired by an elderly man, Robert Suydam, to play at a party. This exchange is observed by Officer Malone and a private detective, Mr. Howard, who attempt to intimidate tommy. The promise of $300 in the 1920s proves too tempting to resist, drawing Tommy into a risky situation.
Warning: Spoilers for The Ballad of Black Tom ahead.
The narrative interweaves scenes of cosmic horror unfolding at Suydam’s home, a violent assault on a cult compound in Red Hook, and the constant harassment Tommy faces from law enforcement. Interspersed are poignant moments between Tommy and his father, adding depth and humanity that Lovecraft’s characters often lacked. Tommy, now known as Black Tom, is a fully realized character with motivations and a compelling arc.
A Descent into Darkness
Though, Black Tom is not a hero.In fact, the story lacks traditional heroes altogether.There are villains and victims, but clear-cut morality is absent. Driven to the brink by exploitation and oppression, Black tom lashes out against those who have wronged him. While cathartic, his vengeance is indiscriminate, hinting at a catastrophic end for all mankind.
By the story’s conclusion, Tommy Tester is a broken man, exhausted by the indignities of being Black in a white-dominated world. He finds the destructive indifference of ancient entities like Cthulhu preferable to the relentless, insidious nature of systemic racism.
A Necessary Reimagining
“The Ballad of Black Tom” isn’t subtle, but it’s a rapid, engaging read that infuses Lovecraft’s iconic mythos with genuine heart. While “The Horror at Red Hook” suffers from a weak plot, shallow characters, and a linear narrative, LaValle’s novella salvages the compelling elements of Lovecraft’s work-despite his personal failings-and delivers a story that resonates powerfully in the 21st century.
The Ballad of Black Tom is available in most ebook stores and as
