Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith

This is an interesting book, a bit unlike anything we’ve read primarily because it comes from a black writer who is clearly advancing a current-day theme based on reparations for slavery. He presents the pros and cons for that argument in a skillful and extreme way. The set up is similar to what Grisham wrote in The Firm where protagonist Mitch McDeere gets seduced into joining a Mafioso law firm. In this case, it’s Martin Grey who is the victim of seduction. Grey, a black man, has been practicing law for several years in New York and he has stumbled into a huge case in which he is suing over a racial discrimination matter by a huge corporation. The defendants brought in the remarkable Damon Darrell, also a black man, a seasoned lawyer who was incredible charismatic, dramatic, and rarely lost a case. Only this time, Grey prevailed.

Darrell was so impressed with Grey’s intellect and skills, that Grey was invited to join Darrell and a group of true national heavyweights in various areas. They were all black and thought they could initiate Grey into their club that was based on hatred of all Caucasians as the result of the inhumanity that their ancestors had been subjected to as slaves. Their ultra secret retreat at 40 Acres was designed to renew their African spirits and help free them from “the noise” of the white world they normally inhabited.

I won’t write more about the plot because it would give too much away. The plot and setting was outlandish, but no more so than some of the works of authors like Clive Cussler, someone who we have all enjoyed over the past years. The author, Dwayne Alexander Smith, is quite successful in leading the reader to the conclusion that hate is not the answer and being anchored in the past is an impediment to living in the present. This is Smith’s first novel although he has been a screenwriter for some time. I have mixed feelings about giving it too strong a recommendation, but Smith has certainly fleshed out a very interesting theme and story.

West Coast Don

I'll add a bit to WCDs review. While this book is, on the surface, about reparations for slavery as mentioned above, it could also be applied to most any circumstance where any oppressed race/culture across the ages gets freed and then tries to right old wrongs (e.g., Jews as far back as Egypt, Muslims during the Crusades, Native Americans, etc.). Or it could be an allegory about making a deal with the devil - in this case, the reclusive Dr. Kasim. Regardless of one's perspective, WCD's observation that this is unlike our usual fare is right on the money. I will be the first to admit that many of the books I read really don't stay with me long after I close the book and pen a review. But this is a big topic to be addressed in one book and will stay with me, for a while. 

Thanks to the good folks at Simon and Schuster for the advance copy to the MRB boys. Forty Acres went on sale on July 1, 2014.

East Coast Don