Black Buck is a satirical novel about a young Black man who gets a job at an intense start-up -- where everyone else is white. I'd call this one a must-read for anyone who liked House of Lies, especially Marty's character. It's sharp, and at times a bit in-your-face.
The book begins with Buck speaking directly to the reader, explaining that his goal is to teach us how to sell. That conceit is carried throughout; this book is a novel told like a memoir under the guise of being a sales manual.
I do think it was a bit long -- around the halfway point, it felt like there'd been enough book for it to start wrapping up -- but that's a minor criticism. There's plenty to keep the reader engaged.
What I liked most about this one was its tone. Askaripour manages to be irreverent and cutting -- and in his debut novel, too. An exciting new voice in literature for sure.
The book begins with Buck speaking directly to the reader, explaining that his goal is to teach us how to sell. That conceit is carried throughout; this book is a novel told like a memoir under the guise of being a sales manual.
I do think it was a bit long -- around the halfway point, it felt like there'd been enough book for it to start wrapping up -- but that's a minor criticism. There's plenty to keep the reader engaged.
What I liked most about this one was its tone. Askaripour manages to be irreverent and cutting -- and in his debut novel, too. An exciting new voice in literature for sure.