The hype around Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James was so much that you can not overlook it. Critics compared the book with the works of George R.R. Martin and J. R. R. Tolkien. Some people also said it is the African Game of Thrones which I don’t agree with because it is much more than that. All these talks were result of Marlon James’ previous book A Brief History of Seven Killings winning the Man Booker Prize. Describing this book is a little hard because there are so many things going on but let’s try to summarize in a few sentences.
Tracker is known for his nose for finding people whether they are dead, alive or living in the land walked only by the dead. He can find the person and return them to whoever has paid the coins. Tracker gets a job he can’t refuse partly because the amount of coins offered. A shape shifting leopard convinces Tracker to team up to reunite the boy with the mother. Leopard and Tracker soon realizes this task is not going to be easy as there are great forces that wants to keep the boy hidden. In this journey they travel to places that are bizarre, follow the path that are terrifying.
The story deals with the power of truth and lies and how they change the perspective of individuals as well as of community. African mythology also plays a huge role in the book. It has leopards, witches, anti-witches, people who can change the reality. On of things that makes the book great is the way Marlon James describes scenes, his language is so fluid but also complex. The characters are very appealing even if they are evil. The book also contains physical and mental gruesome violence and sexual violence.
If you like artistic writing and are in for dense epic fantasy, this is a must read.
