By: Mat Johnson Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Bloomsbury USA Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 288 Publication Date: September 30, 2000
A new voice in American fiction recalling the work of Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin, Drop is an irreverent and unforgettable coming-of age-story about a 31-year-old black man who struggles to break out of the ghetto.
Chris Jones has a gift for creating desire-no doubt a result of his own passion and desire to be anywhere but where he is, to be anyone but himself. He has a knack for creating effective ad campaigns. His work lands him a gig in London. Far away from his Philly roots, Chris is raking in the dough, has a Nigerian girlfriend, a beautiful apartment, and goes clubbing in the West End. He enjoys the role of the successful black American, living among the bourgeois Africans and West Indians of London. No longer afraid of what he calls the 'Pop pop pop' of gunfire so prevalent on the streets of his hometown, Chris is finally free.
But life takes a turn for the worse, and Chris finds himself back where he started, forced back to Philadelphia where his only job prospect is answering phones at the electrical company, helping the poor pay their heating and lighting bills. Surrounded by his brethren, the down and out, indigent, the hopeless, Chris hits bottom. Only a stroke of inspiration and faith will get him back on his feet. Drop is a funny, moving and ultimately profound tale of a man determined to break the pattern of the ghetto he despises and who, in the process, is forced to come to terms with his hatred for himself.
promising debut by gifted writer Mat Johnson's debut novel, Drop was one of the most insightful and thought-provoking novels I have read in a long time.
Chris is a native Philadelphian, who longs to escape from the city that he rightfully loathes. After accepting a job in London, he moves there and undegoes an eye-opening awakening. Loneliness, the struggles of being black in a foreign country, and cross-cultural dating are some of the daunting tasks that Chris faces with hilarious results thanks to Johnson's razor-sharp wit and brilliant view of various human perceptions.
I truly loved the first half of the book but unfortunately, the second half of the book was flat and seemed like the author was rushing to finish. Curiously, Johnson went to great lengths to perfect the beginning but the book basically falls apart at the end. Still, compared to a lot of other so-called black writers, Johnson is better than most. He has an eye for detail, and characterization. Johnson shows promise as a writer, and I am looking forward to reading future works of his.
excellent for the travelling spirit I loved this book. The cover caught my eye in the bookstore. Truly, I had given up on some novels that have the same charachters and drama over and over again. But this book was absolutely different. Finally a protagonist with substance. Charachters that have travelled outside of the United States and can see some things that I saw and breathe some new air into literature. Someone with some real life issues, characters that I couldn't predict. I really got into this book in part 2. At one point it was hilarious and I found myself cracking up. The author is very poetic. I just finished this book last night at 1 am. It was too good to put off finishing it for another day. I am looking forward to buying his next book that is already out. Finally, I am back to reading novels again and it feels good. Loved it. Jenine Scott-Sanchez
entirely moves and motivates the reader to savor life!!! The book was overlooked in the bookshop. I'm very glad that I found it and have met Chris Jones. Through him I realized that we have our own essence although it varies entirely. First, i thought Jones was abominably ambitious but then I found out that he's a big winner for that. Mat Johnson's book helped me to improve myself, examine my goals and evaluate my abilities - to determine my limitations and overcome them, to prove that an average dreamer who dreams lavishly and works for it wholeheartedly will achieve extraordinary things. The book cost me only 30 pesos (Philippine currency) that's why i am so guilty for having a book more expensive than the wealth the world could offer! The novel also taught me to love my country because no matter how distraughting our economical status is, still i am a daughter who seeks to improve myself and move the world. i believe mat johnson is a god... Thanks, mat!
The Essence is in the Drop It is hard to call DROP a coming-of-age story considering the protagonist, Chris Jones, is a thirty-one year old college graduate, but because of this character's growth and evolution, it still qualifies. Chris has graduated from a third rate Pennsylvania state college and finds himself woefully unemployed and grappling for survival in a West Philly ghetto. He lives in constant fear of the "pop, pop, pop" of gunfire outside his window at all times of the day and night. He feels as if he is merely marking time, waiting for his life to come to a tragic end right where it started. That is, until he meets David.
David owns a tiny advertising agency in London and hires Chris. Chris' new life takes on a very hip and glamorous trend as he maneuvers through the very black and urban, yet bourgeois, neighborhoods of South London. He even manages to find a very elegant and beautiful Nigerian girlfriend. Life is good until a twist of fate threatens it all.
DROP is Johnson's debut novel and showcases his extraordinary talent. His writing is inventive and darkly funny, yet so lyrical and eloquent in quality you will want to read passages aloud. Reminiscent of Wright and Baldwin, Johnson's writing is deeply layered and textured, but by no means old-fashioned. He is a writer for this millennium.
Reviewed by Kim Anderson Ray of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Clever debut! While "Drop" was a little shaky in some areas, I think that Mat Johnson's debut was clever, fresh, innovative and intriguing. Reviewer, Marcelle Washington, I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding the direction of Black fiction. I am a writer and I am so sick and tired of the same recycled drivel being cranked out by these authors. Terry McMillan started the trend (and she was good), but the authors that followed her took it and ran in a totally zig-zagged direction... veering off course. While these books are in fact appealing to a large group of people, there is nothing fresh or innovative about them.
I think Black authors like Mat Johnson, Andrea Lee, Octavia Butler, Suzan Lori Parks and writers of the like write for the art and the intellect of those of us who appreciate clever ideas, as opposed to those who write for the money. He follows in the literary tradition of Walter Moseley, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin etc.
Drop is a much needed break from the norm and I enjoyed it. I felt a little ripped off towards the end, but all in all, a really great start from Mat Johnson. He more than makes up for it with Hunting in Harlem!
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