Deacon King Kong

by James McBride
Deacon King Kong cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 4014
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781473588028
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2020-06-11
  • Reviews: 3

Deacon King Kong is a tragicomic epic set in the housing projects of south Brooklyn in 1969. When Sportcoat, an elderly church deacon, shoots the local drug dealer, the repercussions ripple through the community, involving everyone from his best friend to the Italian mob and the police. The novel explores themes of community, redemption, and the changing social landscape of the time. With a blend of humor and heartbreak, it showcases the fragility and strength of the bonds that hold people together. James McBride's novel has been praised for its vivid characters and rich storytelling, drawing comparisons to the works of Mark Twain. It's a story about secrets, the power of community, and the unexpected ways people come together in times of crisis. The book has garnered critical acclaim, including being a New York Times bestseller and an Oprah's Book Club pick.

Reviews
Flaneuse · 2020-10-30
delightful 4.20

The book is recommended for its energy and delight, encouraging readers to read it quickly. The reviewer finds it engaging and enjoyable.

The reviewer highly recommends reading Deacon King Kong with energy and delight, suggesting that it should be read quickly to fully appreciate its charm. They find the book to be engaging and enjoyable, with a narrative that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The reviewer appreciates the way McBride crafts a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a standout read. They particularly enjoy the characters and the way the story unfolds, creating a rich and immersive experience.

Quick quotes

    Deacon King Kong, by James McBride is a book I recommend reading quickly and with energy and delight.

    If, by chance, you decide to put it down, you'll find yourself picking it up again almost immediately.

    A story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Hooked on Bookz · Jee · 2020-07-22
heartwarming 4.50

The book is praised for its humor and heart, making it an engaging and unputdownable read. The story is told with insight and wit, highlighting the presence of love and faith in all of us.

The reviewer found the book to be a delightful and engaging read, filled with humor and heart. They appreciated the way the story is told with insight and wit, making it an unputdownable experience. The reviewer particularly enjoyed how the book demonstrates that love and faith are universal themes that resonate with everyone. Overall, they highly recommend it for its charm and clever storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Hilarious, full of heart and unputdownable!

    Told with insight and wit, Deacon King Kong demonstrates that love and faith live in all of us.

    A story that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

The New Yorker · Jonathan Dee · 2020-02-24
intriguing 4.00

The novel explores an act of violence and the complex story behind it. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and thought-provoking.

Jonathan Dee delves into the intricate web of events surrounding an inexplicable act of violence in the novel. They find the story to be deeply engaging and thought-provoking, with a rich tapestry of characters and events that keep the reader hooked. The reviewer appreciates the way McBride weaves together themes of fate and fury, creating a narrative that is both compelling and insightful. They highlight the author's ability to explore complex issues with nuance and depth.

Quick quotes

    The novelist examines an inexplicable act of violence, and the tangled threads of the story behind it.

    McBride weaves together themes of fate and fury with a deft hand.

    A narrative that is both compelling and insightful.

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