South by South Bronx Book

Abraham Rodriguez has created a novel that harkens back to classic noir. He writes, as one reviewer has suggested, with a "syntax all his own." Without a doubt, this unusual syntax, makes South by South Bronx an engaging, if at times, difficult read. The general plot (beware of spoiler), is that a white womyn who turns out to be a rogue agent, climbs into the bed of an alcoholic womanizer. From there, her presence turns South bronx upside down: causing the upstanding detective in the book to turn his back on his shield, unblocking the writers block of a promising author, and ending the painting lull of a brillant South Bronx painter.

I enjoyed a few of the character sketches, the detailed descriptions of smoking, and the language that Rodriguez uses to dramatize what could seem mundane. I found several sentences throughout the novel that were stunning to read - their structure compelling, and inventive. Overall, however, I found that the plot was too disjointed to be enjoyable. That, combined with the innovative, but too often unclear syntax, made reading this book a chore. I was ready to be done with the book, even as I appreciated the author's slick integration of clues and repetitive language. While I found this clever, the ultimate design of this noir book, never really deviated from noir cliches.

I also find it quizzical that though race is centralized in the book, there is no discussion, hint, or acknowledgement of what it means that it is a white womyn who changes the South Bronx for these four men. Perhaps the reader is expected to undertsand the subtext - which I took, optimistically, to suggest that it's the first time these four men, meet a rogue or outsider, who one would assume would be "in." The alternative, would lessen my appreciation fo the novel.

I think my review has more to do with me as a reader - in other words, what I like and connect with and to, than it does to the talent exhibited by Rodriguez. I do think that other readers might enjoy the book more than I did. The writing is unique and I will say that I think its important, for me as a reader, to read things outside of my comfort zone and mainstream literature.