Since there are so many angles, it isn’t easy to write about this book. It is about a jewelry heist that takes place in Harlem during the 1960s. Yet, it is really about the people involved in a life of crime and how they interact with one another, law enforcement officials, and the community at large. Colson Whitehead is a consummate writer, and everything he includes in a novel is purposeful and meaningful. The language he uses is extraordinary: every sentence is multilayered and thought-provoking.
Ray Carney, the protagonist, is a super well-developed character. His father was a career criminal, and he wanted to have a legitimate career as a furniture salesman. It was difficult enough to be a Black business owner in Harlem during the turbulent sixties, but having connections to organized crime and acting as a fence among criminals was something he couldn’t get out of his system. In addition, his wife’s parents did not think Carney was good enough for her. Although his father-in-law was not the law-abiding citizen he purported to be, he enjoyed touting his own accomplishments and Carney’s obscure background and ongoing struggles. For the most part, Carney kept his criminal friends and dealings a secret from his wife. However, there were too many close calls, and his life was SO complicated.
Instead of sharing too many plot points, I would prefer to report some questions and themes that preoccupied my mind while reading. First, it is essential to notice that Whitehead portrayed New York City police officers as corrupt and biased. Besides blaming Blacks for all the crime in Harlem, people of illustrious backgrounds could bribe the cops. Blacks also bribed the police. Then, I wondered frequently why some of the characters, including Ray, developed a sense of pride from professionalizing their criminal behaviors. Ray was an expert fencer with high-end contacts, and Arthur was an expert safecracker. Others, such as Pepper, could expertly case an operation for security patterns. Was it a lack of respect for the legal systems, low self-esteem, or just the thrill of beating the system that motivated career criminals to perfect their “trades?”
I also considered some clouded or mistaken memories of life in the 1960s, especially in Harlem. I remember the nightly newscasts showing the violence in Harlem and other Black neighborhoods. The voices of Ray Carney and his friends did an excellent job of explaining the issues from the Black point of view, including the frustrations of all citizens since those committing violent acts, were indeed a minority of the population. Additionally, Whitehead tainted my fond memories of the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The novels’ characters emphasized that the World’s Fair was a white man’s dream for the future, and its existence was plagued by controversy. Also, the author made strong points regarding historic moves to destroy Black neighborhoods, especially when Caucasians felt threatened by the upward mobility of Blacks.
There are so many themes: revenge, paybacks, and protests are a few. The concept of vacation among Black Americans when many vacation areas were segregated is a frequent discussion in the novel since Ray Carney’s wife, Elizabeth, is a travel agent. Rich white people acting like gangsters is prevalent in the story, especially in depicting New York’s VanWyck family. Two plot points worth contemplation are the acceptance of light-skinned Blacks more than dark-skinned Blacks, even among Blacks, and clubs formed by Whites and Blacks to protect illicit activity. I encourage all readers to absorb the story and messages with an open mind. Focus on understanding some of the political unrest in our country that came to light in the 1960s. Also, this novel is so much more than a story about a heist!
