Hunting in Harlem

by Mat Johnson

Book Overview

Horizon Realty is bringing Harlem back to its Renaissance. With the help of Cedric, Bobby, and Horus-three ex-cons trying to forge a new life-Horizon clears out the rubble and the rabble, filling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582342725
• ISBN13: 9781582342726
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Murder for the Greater Good

After the success of his debut novel Drop, Mat Johnson has returned to the literary scene with his second novel, winner of the 2004 Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for fiction, HUNTING IN HARLEM. This the story of three ex-cons who are recruited by a Harlem real estate company to get a second chance at making good with their lives. Horizon Realty has set a plan in motion to stop the gentrification of Harlem by upper class whites and reinvigorate a sagging economy by re-populating the neighborhood with good, honest, black folk. But like any area suffering from urban blight, you have your unwanted denizens: the pushers, the whores, the child molesters, and the gun runners. It's hard to create a family neighborhood with these types as residents; so when they start to have convenient accidents, it's all good. Snowden, Bobby, and Horus begin life after incarceration as interns with Horizon, literally working their way from the bottom up. Supposedly, they will be introduced to the world of real estate and trained to be real estate agents. But the trio soon discovers that they were chosen for their new jobs specifically because of their pasts. Snowden's lover, Piper Goines, is a reporter for a local minority owned newspaper, and it isn't long before she senses something foul at Horizon and starts investigating. Mat Johnson has used his considerable talents to explore current urban social problems, but he also touches on cultural pursuits by subtly raising the topic of popular urban fiction and the lack of love received by black writers who study their craft and spend years writing literate, thought-provoking books only to be outsold by upstarts supplying readers with "melaninized, low-tech versions of their afternoon soaps." Johnson, as usual, is smart, witty, and destined to be one of his generation's best writers. The plot moves quickly once the introductory matter is out of the way. A well-executed example of fine literature, HUNTING IN HARLEM will keep you thinking about contemporary urban issues... and looking over your shoulder. Reviewed by Kim Anderson Ray of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Some of the Best Fiction in Years

I've never been a fan of the mystery/thriller genre and this book encompases neither genre. What 'Hunting in Harlem' is is one of the strongest pieces of fiction writing/literature in the last 30 years. Johnson's novel is strong on characters who keep you pulleld into the book and you're very happy to stay there. What makes this novel so good is Johnson's ability to weave words with the ease of the Modernists and the grace of post-modern writers. Never one to hold himself above language, Johnson's second novel is nothing short of brilliant, and I say this after reading it 3 times. Can't wait for his next novel to come out...Get a move-on, Johnson!

Mat Johnson, boo yah!

Hunting in Harlem is a book that offers brilliant insight into the simplistically complex world of Harlem. His prose is concise and perplexing, his style is always fluid, never allowing the reader a second to question this thought-provoking story. The use of Dark Humor is top notch, unsurpassed in the modern era. I am anxiously awaiting Mat's next novel.

By Any Means Necessary

I must say I was impressed with Mat Johnson's latest novel, Hunting In Harlem. I had not read his debut novel, Drop, or any of the press releases surrounding his latest work, so I blindly opened the book and began reading. I soon found myself laughing aloud and engrossed by the author's clever imagination, mature writing style, and original characters. Johnson builds a story that is both interesting and thought provoking - a true challenge for a tough and controversial topic such as gentrification.Hunting In Harlem is the story of Horizon Realty's vision to revitalize Harlem one brownstone at a time; hoping to eventually return it to the booming community it once was during the Renaissance. The realty company is also a sponsor of the Second Chance Program and subsequently employs three ex-convicts as part of a real estate training program. Snowden (convicted of manslaughter for killing his father), Bobby (an arsonist), and Horus (a former gangbanger) are handpicked to participate in this prestigious, cutting edge, year-long program. As they study the ins-and-outs of real estate, they also perform extra assignments, such as clearing out Horizon apartments of tenants who happen to perish in freak accidents. The suspense begins when Snowden mentions the number of accidental deaths to his love interest who happens to be a reporter. She investigates and discovers a pattern which leads Snowden to confront his mentor. He soon learns that it is Horizon Realty's plan to dispose of "undesirables" (people who discredit Harlem) and is blackmailed into supporting their plot to meticulously remove the offenders (prostitutes, pick pockets, child abusers, drug dealers, etc). Conflict arises as the three convicts must determine how to handle the truth, come to terms with their direct involvement in the murders, and think of a way to escape blackmail.This book challenges the intellectual to revisit the classic debates surrounding "sacrifices for the greater good of society" and infamous "by any means necessary." Johnson also educates by sharing the history of Harlem and provides an explanation of how and why it is in its present condition. Throughout the book were subtle lessons in gentrification, discussion of the African-American socio-economic condition, and even a discussion of DuBois's Talented Tenth theory. These topics and other ethical dilemmas were skillfully crafted in the dialogue and thoughts of the colorful, strong, wacky characters. It can also be said that this novel is an examination on human nature as we follow the central characters' development and watch them wrestle with moral issues. This is an intriguing, suspenseful, well-written novel. The author's writing style, social messages, and storytelling ability makes this a book worth picking up. In the hands of others, this book would have been a disaster, but Johnson has mastered his own technique and it works really well. Be warned, this book is only for the serious reader.PhyllisAPOOO BookClub

Entertaining and compelling

Wonderful characterization and page-turning plot. Mat Johnson's way with words makes the outrageous seem perfectly natural and the normal seem ridiculous. I enjoyed this book almost as much as his excellent first novel, 'Drop.'