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Koontown Killing Kaper (2000)

by Bill Campbell(Favorite Author)

3.96 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

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review 1: This book is full of tightly-packed allegory. It is not for the easily offended, and I would say those who don’t know black history will miss the significance of many names and events.Bill Campbell has managed to write the most anti-commercial novel I have ever read. Even the cover is a golliwog’s head with a bleeding bullet hole between the eyes. Sorry, but I could not take it to the coffeeshop because it draws too much attention.From Marion Sims to the murder of Malcolm X, Cambell manages to take us on a ride through the hijacking of ‘black’ culture from the positive role models such as Poitier, King and Cosby all the way to the deification of the gangster, the drug entrepreneur and the rapper.The book is quite a feat as it tags this on the back of a rather conv... moreentional murder plot, complete with ex-supermodel, ex-homicide cop, private detective Jon Vee Noir. Someone is killing rappers in the eponymous Koontown. There are elements of the thriller and supernatural events and even time-travel, but I would not call this a paranormal detective story. It’s straight-up social commentary and there is no way it could have found a home with a mainstream publisher.If I had to nit-pick I’d say the last quarter of the book brings the introduction of too many new characters in the interest of resolving the plot. That said the plot is a minor part of enjoying this book. If you possess a modicum of cultural awareness and a sense of humour this is the book for you.
review 2: The funniest, craziest, loudest, least-PC, outrageous-est book I've ever read. Yes, it's THAT good--but you gotta have a sense of humor and understand that it's a black comedy, in both senses of the term.This book is not for everyone--in fact, if you have young children at home, put this one on the highest shelf for language and adult situations. But if you grew up on 80's hip hop (growing up in PG certainly helps) and can catch the black cultural references, you will be ROTFLYAO like I was. For Real. Altho it is a bit awkward flashing this book cover while on the Metro's Green Line...Campbell is creative as hell in his story line, and his knack for dialogue and memorable one liners is killer. His integration of conspiracy theory, the worst racial stereotypes taken to the Nth degree, and skewering of everything sacred and profane result in a towering achievement that is a cross between Grade B horror flick, hiphop love/hate fest, racial identity/inflammation/reconciliation (depending on how you define it) moments, and above all, *hope*.Does Campbell represent a new wave of black literature? Too soon to tell, but I damn sure won't wait so long to buy his next novel. (Also see Mat Johnson's "Pym" for another work in this genre.)Disclosure: I know the author personally and as a friend I want him to succeed. Despite that though, the review above reflects my thoughts on the work of literature, not through any personal affinity lens. less

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