Book Thoughts: Darktown by Thomas Mullen

Darktown by Thomas Mullen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book I've read by Mullen, and just like the other two, I enjoyed this book immensely. The book is equal parts historical fiction and mystery/crime fiction, center in Atlanta after World War II and after the city has hired its first black police officers. The mystery and crime portion of the book is solid - its fast paced and keeps the reader guessing, which makes for compulsive reading as one nears the end of the book.

But where the book really shines is the historical fiction part. Mullen does an excellent job of portraying to his reader the overt racism that existed on the part of some white citizen and police officers in Atlanta in response to the new black police officers, but also the subtle racism of "progressive" whites at the time, along with the complexities and difficulties that black police officers raised for the black community in Atlanta. Mullen's writing and use of language immerses the reader in the time period, to the point that it can become uncomfortable and shocking to read at times.

Another strength of the book, in my opinion, is the realism of the characters. There are no shining angels here, no untouchable hero to root for. While some characters certainly have better moral character than others that makes you like them more, each of the main players are complicated; each of them has opinions and engages in actions that are of questionable moral fiber. But because of that, they each feel more real. Because of this, the book's portrayal of racism - institutional, systemic, personal, or otherwise - hits the right tone, I think. It demonstrates how this racism is both simple and complex, and how its entrenchment and pervasiveness is damaging in so many varied ways.

In sum, well-written, well-paced book of historical fiction that does an superb job of making the past - and in particular, the past's warts - feel real to the reader.

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