Bboy Blues a Seriously Sexy Fiercely Funny Blackonblack Love Story
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A friend of mi
I absolutely liked that this was an M/M romance with Black characters written by a Black gay man, especially considering this was published in the 90s. I'd have really liked this in my Nifty, Literotica and Gay Authors reading days. The problem I had reading this, was the constant incoherence, the protagonist's love for B-boys who are described as what would be the "thug" stereotype was fetishistic and the writing could have done without the unnecessary fat jokes that go on and on.A friend of mine once told me certain books are to be enjoyed at a certain period in life and once the period passes, it's too late. And I think that's what happened with this book.
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Great for the mere fact that it shows another side to gay life, one other than mainstream and white.
I wasn't familiar with Hardy's work, but after reading an article that talked about how Jussie Smollett was directing and producing an LGBT film based on this book, I felt the urge to read it.
So, I was really pleased by the fact that this was a gay romance with Black characters written by a Black gay man, which was huge especially considering this was published in the 90s.
The problem I had reading this was the eye rolling stereotypes included that focused on th
Let's start with the positives...I wasn't familiar with Hardy's work, but after reading an article that talked about how Jussie Smollett was directing and producing an LGBT film based on this book, I felt the urge to read it.
So, I was really pleased by the fact that this was a gay romance with Black characters written by a Black gay man, which was huge especially considering this was published in the 90s.
The problem I had reading this was the eye rolling stereotypes included that focused on the constant fetish Mitchell seemed to have. His love for B-boys who he described as what would be the "thug" stereotype was both annoying and stereotypical. Black gays are typically portrayed as two things: educated/feminine or thuggish/masculine/uneducated. There seems to be no middle ground. And that seems to be a problem that's constantly plagued black LGBT stories.
This was also an issue I had with some of E Lynn Harris's work or even NOAH'S A.R.C (which is a favorite show of mine). But it's hella problematic because it sends the message that if you aren't a fem bottom or a macho top then you don't matter. The stereoypes have always been unfortunate.
Even now in TV it's still portrayed that way. It's a very limiting scope and I wish black writers, and really any writer who portrays LGBT characters, would be released from those stereotypical shackles.
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Unfortunately, it's this same sprawling ambition that prevents the text from capturing its characters' interiority. The novel often feels as if Hardy is caught between two goals: 1) documentin
What a wild ride! With B-Boy Blues, James Earl Hardy has created a piece of literature that captures, in such a distinct narrative voice, as many aspects of gay black culture as seem possible to include in one novel. It's truly a primer for any kid - pun intended - at the cusp of his coming-out experience.Unfortunately, it's this same sprawling ambition that prevents the text from capturing its characters' interiority. The novel often feels as if Hardy is caught between two goals: 1) documenting both the debates and cultural vernacular that make up the African-American gay experience and 2) entertaining the gay black reader. These goals need not be a point of contention, but in this piece they are, as Hardy is constantly fighting to balance them out. As a result, many passages feel both didactic and anthropological, and it's the piece's verisimilitude that suffers most because of it.
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I loved everything except for the central love story. I'm well aware that the story is speaking to a culture I am not a part of, but the toxic-masculinity-fueled disfunction of Mitchell and Raheim's relationship is barely checked, except by relying on stereotypical assumptions relating sexual positioning to power. I wonder if the sequels address this?
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Can't believe I'm late on gay black stories when I heard this was icon if and began being filmed I had to read the book first
Love itCan't believe I'm late on gay black stories when I heard this was icon if and began being filmed I had to read the book first
...more Wonderful characters, and a fun read. James Earl Hardy really have a great breakdown of the times and how black gay men struggle in identity crisis and self acceptance.
I thought the random white people they came across were believable. You have to qualify the part of town they were in, a safe space for gay, black men. It is no surprise, really, that the white men they would meet in that environment would be side-eyed. It's sort of like when you see a white person in the hood…you look twice because what the hell are they doing there? Playing Columbus or trying to get someone in trouble? I felt it was fair and made me believe the setting more.
But my point is, all the white people were not "evil". There was Denise, Mitch's coworker who was a white woman and, unlike most white women, was very aware of where she stood in society because of her white womanhood and the prejudices a person like Mitch dealt with daily. There was also Professor O'Neill at the end who Mitch credits with giving him the advice that allowed him to leave his job at "Your World" comfortably. So to say Mitch (or the author) doesn't like white people seems to just be misreading the text. Although Mitch can get preachy (a preachy-ness which sometimes took away from the flow of the fiction) he seems to have a problem only with white people who want to benefit from white supremacy without being called on it, re-write history (Elias calling slaves "workers") or the ones that objectify black men. I don't see a problem with that and if you do, you should check yourself before calling anyone else "racist".
Hardy also doesn't limit his social commentary to white people. He's as hard on the b-boys as he is on them. He addresses the hyper masculinity of black men and the violence towards femininity in society. And I don't think he did that condescendingly. The playing field is leveled in the final sex scene where he "does" Pooque, instead of the other way around. I think it was well done. I did think that he could have spent more time delving into Pooque's issues with the feminine throughout the book. It seemed to mostly come in the second half, even though Mitch had assumed the "womanly" role from the very beginning of the relationship.
I did have a couple issues with "B-Boy Blues":
I don't think the domestic violence should have been included if Mitch and Rahiem were to end up back together. I felt the domestic violence was glossed over—they never actually discuss it, although we do get Rahiem's issue with being called the "F" word. Granted I realize this is a part of a series and so we're not pretending they walk off into the sunset (I assume the following books are also about these characters). But…I mean Mitch had to get dental work done! This was a bad hit! I don't know if it was forgivable and it really made me question Rahiem's stability. Granted his friend had just died…I don't know. That made Rahiem really unappealing to me.
Another thing: although it's never explicitly said, the reader is led to believe that Rahiem cheated on Mitch and Mitch not only didn't seem all that bothered by it (more annoyed than hurt), he seemed to expect it.
Also, what was the deal with BD and Babyface? Again, infidelity not only being ignored but embraced. And they were getting married!
I think in this book, there was a very real sense of lust being called love. Ironically, the only couple that might have actually been in love, was Gene and Carl.
Overall, I recommend this book. B-Boy Blues seemed to be a genuine recount of life for black gay men in '90s New York. It reminded me a lot of "Paris is Burning". I loved the voice of the MC Mitch. Though his preaching could get annoying at times, you could tell that he really believed in what he believed in and for me that made him likable. I didn't like Rahiem as much, but they was cute togevah…I guess *sucks teeth*. Yeah, a good read. I plan on reading the next one in the series.
...more It is worth mentioning that the primary relationship in the novel seemed quite unhealthy to me (other reviewers have noted the same), and Hardy's normalization of domestic violence - both emotional and at times physical - was very difficult for me to stomach. At a minimum, it would have been nice for him to acknowledge this in an end-note by offering resources for
Hardy offered a bold and vivid view into black and gay NYC life in the 1990s. The novel was engaging, well-written, and a quick read.It is worth mentioning that the primary relationship in the novel seemed quite unhealthy to me (other reviewers have noted the same), and Hardy's normalization of domestic violence - both emotional and at times physical - was very difficult for me to stomach. At a minimum, it would have been nice for him to acknowledge this in an end-note by offering resources for those who are coping with or interested in learning more about the cycle of violence. Had this not been an issue, I would have given the novel 5, rather than 4, stars.
...moreHardy has also written a stage adaptation of B-Boy Blues, which sold out when it debuted Off-Broadway, as well as a one-man show Confessions of a Homo Thug Porn Star (which is based on the life of adult film actor Tiger Tyson).
An honors graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, Mr. Hardy is also an entertainment feature writer and cultural critic whose byline has been appeared in many national magazines and newspapers. His work has earned him numerous grants and awards.
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