The Ballad of Black Tom opens Goodreads in a new tab

My thoughts

4/5 stars Give people what they expect and you can take from them all that you need. Okay, so a lot of people compare this to Lovecraft's works and real talk: I've never read any of his works, and neither do I plan to. No, I just can't. But this on its own very well stood out and I think every horror enthusiast should definitely read it! Mankind didn’t make messes; mankind was the mess. Apart from the usual dose of horror, the story also gives a very well-written commentary on the prevalent racism in the society around that time (It is set in the 1920s as far as I remember). The best part is that these things still exist- racism, poverty, and police brutality. And this commentary is very much so valid even now! So, if you're looking for a Lovecraft-esque vibe minus the xenophobia and racism, this is your book! The veil of ignorance has been set over your face since birth. Shall I pull it free? TWs for the book: parental death, gore, police brutality, racism