Lot: Book review


Book Review

Title: Lot
Author: Bryan Washington
Genre: Fiction

Lot is a collection of 13 short stories which revolve around the community in Houston. Most of the stories portray an unnamed narrator's struggles with his identity, striving to gain acceptance and coping with his dysfunctional family. A couple of  stories namely Alief and Waugh that don't involve the unnamed narrator exhibits the larger part of the community in Houston.

The characters in these stories  exhibit a considerable amount of vulnerability. The author in his honest and lucid style captures the complexity of  the family dynamics to perfection along with the several emotions of the characters. The theme of community  forms the main premises of the book, making Houston a character by itself in many instances. A couple of the stories indicate the negative connotation of a community which involves malice, prejudices and stereotypes. While the story Bayou exhibits a parallel community that often escapes the human eye. The author also touches upon the aspects of friendship, family, mentoring and escapism. 

Lot is compelling and absorbing. Its stark and unabashed portrayal of a community that is imperfect yet impressionable. 



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