Dark: A Novel

Thug Noir or Hip Hop fiction, or whatever you choose to call it, there are fine young writers who are making waves in this new genre. I honestly believe some of the more interesting stories are those that ordinary people live each and everyday; if you have doubts scan the front page of any major newspaper with headlines as scandalous, intense and fascinating as any fiction novel.

“Dark: A Novel” written by Kenji Jasper is a novel whose story and characters could be found in any major inner city. Gritty and intelligent are just two words that easily describe "Dark: A Novel."

Thai Williams is a nineteen year old, African American male living and just surviving at times in the streets of D.C. Thai starts out talking about himself and his boys, E, Snowflake and Ray Ray.

“I was the smart one. I did the best in school, I got a few awards… E was the lucky. Everything always went his way no matter what the odds were. Ray Ray was the crazy one. He would do anything for the rush… But Snowflake was the bad one. He did what he wanted. And when you were around him, you did what he wanted too.”

Having lived in the South for a several years now I am getting used to the nickname assigning among groups of people. I can say one thing for names Kenji Jasper has chosen for his characters have meaning and add to the character, something you don’t necessarily find in all real life nicknames.

Thai lives in D.C. and has been exposed to violence all his life, but has managed to steer clear of any direct involvement until now. Unexpectedly, Thai walks in on Sierra, his girlfriend, with another man, Nick, having sex on her living room floor. Thai is shocked and confides in his boys what has happened and true to street life retribution must take place. Thai and his boys' first attempts to teach Nick a lesson are unsuccessful; without warning, Thai encounters Nick at a party.

“In the low light I watched Nick’s profile shift and turn. Watching his bald peanut head made me cut back to the same footage of him on top of Sierra on the living room floor with Jodeci playing in the background… I ran that same snippet over and over again as I watched him shift and bob his head to the music.”

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