Three-Fifths

I am still digesting everything I just read, but my initial reaction is... well, I'm not even sure how to describe these feelings. I'm in amazement that I can be so saddened and frustrated by an ending that at the same time captures the reality of a massive real-world issue in an astonishing way. This book depicts the nitty gritty ugliness of everyday life in a way that is so real the reader has no choice but to embody the main character. By doing this in such a successful way, Vercher is able to make the reader feel the pain in such a way that real world issues to which they have never related can now make more sense. I could see this book being a massive tool in causing a larger population to feel empathy for others that have dealt show more with all types of discrimination and difficulties in life.

The ending absolutely shocked me, and I'm still processing, but I'm so glad I read this book as my Celadon Buddy Read. I already know that my eyes have been opened even further to certain injustices, the creation of multiple biases, and working to understand everybody's 'why'. show less

Compelling plot and riveting backstory of main characters until, later, Bobby decides that he needs a father -

and his own magically appears.

Readers may sense that the ending will not be perfect for Bobby despite his new intention to confess,
yet the mystery is why he would again get into the truck with Aaron after all that had happened...?
Doesn't quite ring true.

And how can white supremacy Aaron possibly state that he loves a Black man...?

This is a story about fear.

A love affair destroyed because of prejudice and fear.

A friendship between two outcasts drawn together by a mutual love, stressed and fractured when one man becomes afraid of the other.

It is about race separating us from each other, and how questions of racial identity raises internal conflict.

It is about what prison does to a man, a violence that will roil your stomach and conscience.

It is a story that starts dark and gets darker.

An American story that as a nation we must own.

This is a heartfelt, brutal novel, with characters who will break your heart. A story that will haunt you.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

Yet another outstanding debut novel, this highly engaging story is timely given the current state of democracy and race. While the theme is honesty between family and friends, the core element is racial divide and correlation of crime with race. Torn by loyalty and seeking truth the protagonist is taken through the wringer of life as the author immerses the reader into his journey. Anger gives way to compassion and truth rises to the surface. Hard to put down, you'd never know this was a first effort. I look forward to sequels from this author!

Gritty Urban Noir
Review of the Dreamscape Media LLC audiobook edition released simultaneously with the original Agora Books hardcover edition (September 2019)

This reading was part of my investigation of the novels nominated for the 2020 Edgar Awards by the Mystery Writers of America. Three-Fifths is a nominee for Best First Novel. The winners are expected to be announced April 30, 2020, which may be postponed due to the current world pandemic situation.

Three-Fifths is not so much a crime mystery as a character study. Bobby Saraceno, of mixed race parentage, has passed for white his entire life and most especially with his childhood friend Aaron. Aaron is convicted with drug-dealing and serves a prison term where he joins a white show more supremacist group for jail yard protection. When released from prison he is a virulent racist who nonchalantly commits a race murder while accompanied by Bobby. Bobby has been living with his single parent mother Isabel who has lied that Bobby's father Robert is dead until Robert accidentally re-enters her life and eventually Bobby's. The characters and conflicts are in place for the revelation of lifetime secrets and a tragic conclusion.

John Vercher produces a strong first novel here and I would even say that he is my front runner for the 2020 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. I have yet to read 2 of the 6 nominees though.

I listened to the Audiobook edition and the narrator J.D. Jackson was excellent in all voices.

Trivia and Links
Three-Fifths is the first title from Agora Books, a new imprint of independent publisher Polis Books which will be "a diversity-focused imprint devoted to crime and noir fiction." Other initial releases from Agora Books are Remember (October 2019) by Patricia Smith, The Ninja Daughter (November 2019) by Tori Eldridge,Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (February 2020), Matthew Henson and the Ice Temple of Harlem by Gary Phillips (February 2020), Line of Sight by James Queally (March 2020), Both Sides: Stories From the Border ed. Gabino Eglesias (April 2020). Watch for further releases from Agora Books at the Polis Books website. show less