Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson
Big thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for providing me with
an advanced copy of Nalo Hopkinson’s new book Blackheart
Man. I initially requested this book for a few reasons. The first was
reading Hopkinson’s short story “The Most Strongest Obeah woman of the World”
in Jordan Peele’s Black horror anthology Out
There Screaming. The story stood out for being strange and somewhat
like cosmic horror, but also rooted in Jamaican and Caribbean folklore and
traditions, while also challenging some of the patriarchal ways and ideas. I
really enjoyed the bizarre and creative writing from Hopkinson and grew excited
to learn that this book was also titled after the Blackheart Man myth of Jamaica.
Reading Hurston’s Tell My Mule about Caribbean myths and folktales, I was
really interested in this story that was frequently told to children to
regulate their behavior—kind of like a boogeyman. Hopkinson’s book takes this mythological
character and reinvents him for a fantastical world of magic—the island of Chynchin.
In particular, the story follows Veycosi, a student of history and folklore who
must record stories to earn his title as a griot. Hopkinson’s imagining of the
world of Chynchin is descriptive and creative, yet also rooted in traditions
and folklore of the Caribbean. She incorporates obeah practices, as well as important
creatures like hummingbirds and caimans. While the society in Chynchin also
bears resemblance to Caribbean cultures, there are also unique touches like the
fact that it is a predominantly matriarchal society where women often take two
husbands, who share not only the wife, but also the responsibility of raising
their children. While the story focuses on Veycosi’s struggles to master magic
and folktales, we also learn about some of the problems in Chynchin, especially
as more and more children (Pickens) go missing. Eventually some return, but Veycosi
seems to be the only one who can command and control them. Furthermore,
Chynchin is under attack, where an ancient (or at least older) threat is
seeking to be unearthed, possibly returning the island to enslavement.
Hopkinson uses the history and culture of Caribbean nations in a unique way,
building on what is there to craft her own world and traditions of magic and
power. Furthermore, the mystery of the Pickens disappearance and trance-like
state becomes a compelling story about Veycosi’s own motivations and challenges
to survive and make a name for himself in Chynchin. I really enjoyed the fact
that there’s so much of Caribbean culture in this book, but I also found this to
be a challenge to reading the story early on. I felt a little lost in the world
of Chynchin in the first quarter of the book, adjusting not only to the
differences in the culture, but also in the language the characters speak. I eventually
grew accustomed to it, in much the same way I also adapted to Marlon James’s A
Brief History of Seven Killings and Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching
God. However, my initial reading was a little slow. I also felt like Hopkinson’s
in-cluing of the world of Chynchin left me a little confused early on as well.
I think I prefer more world building in these kinds of fantasy works, where I
am able to learn more about the history and culture of the place. However, as I
read on, Chynchin also became more familiar and relatable. I think the
strongest part of the book are the various characters—Veycosi has a lot of
unlikeable characteristics, yet, I also found his suffering and challenges to be
somewhat harsh. He was entertaining and humorous at times, and there were other
funny moments, as well as some shocking and scary moments as well. Other
characters served different roles, but were as compelling and interesting.
Their language and actions made the story more entertaining and enjoyable. I
look forward to reading other books and stories by Hopkinson, and I hope that
she revisits Chynchin with some stories that feature other characters.
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