A book set during the early 20th century in the US, with a black protagonist. Not necessarily looking for a fantasy/horror book! Can be any genre as long as it fits the above criteria. Even non-fiction! In fact, I'd actually prefer to read a historically accurate story. I'm not from the US, and not entirely familiar with the history of the US during this era and I'd like to learn more, especially about the Jim Crow of it all.
I am also aware of the movie Sinners. Already watched it a million times.
Bonus points if there are any queer themes in the story! Thank you!! 🙂
by MimeMike
2 Comments
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle is the first one that comes to mind- it’s a horror story that takes place in 1930s America, and is a retelling of one of HP Lovecraft’s most maligned stories through a black perspective.Â
Another one that is hard to find but that I recommend is Defender of the Angels by Jesse Kimbrough. It is a semi-fictionalized account of his firsthand experiences as one of  Los Angeles’ first black police detectives.Â
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, historical horror fiction that is based on the Dozier “School” for Boys that boys were sent to and forced to work, follows a 13 year old boy who is sent there and his sister who is trying to get him out… the movie Nickel Boys is about the same “school” and is based on a novel by the same name by Colton Whitehead, I haven’t read that one