Ring Shout

Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark is one of those books that I have been meaning to get to for a long time.

In all honesty, I have not seen a bad review of the book and it has had whole heaps of praise heaped on it.I can see why! It is thoroughly brilliant from the opening to the final lines.

Now, I am quite familiar with P. Djeli Clark's writing having read Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and was totally enthralled by his story telling abilities. However, Ring Shout is a completely different animal.

The story starts with our hero Maryse Bodreaux and her team watching from on high a Ku Klux Klan march in 1920's America. Immediately from the proclamation of “I hunt monsters” I was utterly transfixed by this book.

The story itself centres around inter dimensional creatures that feed on hate and hide themselves in human form amongst the Klan where they can satiate their hunger on the finest caviar of hate. However, Maryse and her accomplices can spot the shifting faced demons and are able to fight them.

We learn through the eyes of Maryse of these creatures called Ku kluxes, who also gives us the history of the current situation. Telling us that the Klan were actually involved in sorcery and made a pact with these demons in order to further the monstrous cause of the Klan, and not only have they made a deal with these demons, but with the advent of technology, they have managed to embed a virus in a film called The Birth of a Nation, a piece of Klan propaganda made by D.W. Griffiths, that lets the demons have entry and take over a human host and become white, pointy headed monsters.

However, not only do they have Ku Kluxes to deal with, but there is a storm coming and worse is about to break through from the other side that make the Ku Kluxes look like whimpering dogs.

Ring Shout is simply an amazing book in so many ways. P.Djeli Clark is a master of the novella. He is able to pack so much in this form of fiction it's unbelievable.

He writes some of the strongest characters that I have read in fiction. Maryse is so multi faceted and she is supported by a cast of characters that are of just as much import as her. In addition to this, he does not hide from the anger that Maryse feels in relation to the Klan.

For me, Sadie is a stand out character that had me howling with laughter. She is brash and will discuss sensitive subjects with impunity that had me chuckling away.

Now, as you will have probably read in other reviews there is a prominent Lovecraftian edge to Ring Shout. However, I felt that there was so much more and I was thoroughly impressed by the horror chops that P. Deli Clark had on show here. There seemed to be elements of Cronenberg' s Videodrome, especially with the element of film influencing others. Not only that, there seemed to be nods to Brian Yuzna and Clive Barker in there too.

However, whilst there is a veritable feast for the horror fan, the historical elements to the story are solid and there were factual elements that I wasn't aware of. So not only did Ring Shout entertain me, it also educated me too.

Now, I know I have gone kinda gushy on this book, but I can't help it, it's brilliant and I think one of the best books I have read this year, and if you want a more levelled review of the book, I am sure there are some, but you are not going to find it here.

If you read one book in what remains of this year or even in the next, make sure it's Ring Shout, it is utterly stunning

This story was absolutely fantastic. I loved the action right from the get-go, and the ‘sight' that had woven this fantasy elements into real-world events. The demons at play here were perfectly disturbing and gruesome. The touch of the flashbacks that give the weapon it's ‘power' added layers to the bit of magic at play. Although it played upon the chosen-one trope with Maryse, I was totally there for it. I also loved the ‘offer' at the end and the perspective of who held the ‘real' power.

I had listened to the audio and the narration by Channie Waites absolutely sold this. From the Georgia accents, singing in the shouts, to the screechy eerie voices from the ‘mouths', to the accent, sing songs, and Gullah speak of the ‘Aunties'. Bravo!

Um livro que explora a longa história de racismo presente nos EUA adotando elementos de fantasia e terror contada pelo escritor e historiador P. Djèlí Clark (pseudônimo de Dexter Gabriel). Acompanhamos a protagonista Maryse Boudreaux, uma contrabandista que adora caçar monstros brandindo sua espada, e suas companheiras Sadie e Chef, numa missão para impedir os Klu Kluxes de espalharem sua destruição fundada no ódio para o resto do mundo.

A construção de mundo e ambientação que o autor faz em tão poucas páginas é surpreendente. Ele consegue ser muito eficaz em transmitir o ódio que ambos os lados sentem um pelo outro. É um livro contado de um jeito muito unico que só quando você pegar pra ler você vai entender como ele consegue te prender na leitura. Ring Shout não ganhou o Locus e Nebula Award à toa.

O audiobook é muito bom, ouçam caraleooooo

I loved the concept and how dang weird this was. I also loved the point of view from African American women dealing with the mundane horrors of racism, as well as supernatural forces linked to the Klan. The monsters were admirably disturbing and Lovecraftian as well. Shudder

My complaints can be mostly boiled down to: I wanted more. This is a short read, and while it can be good not to overstay one's welcome, I felt like I wasn't super engaged with the characters because I saw so little of them outside the strictly quest/battle-related activities. Most of the characters get only a blurb of development - this one is sassy and loves to shoot; that one learned explosives in the war and is gay. The individuals aren't fleshed out, and there's almost no development of relationships between them.

The other thing is the story has an improbably cheerful conclusion that doesn't fit the tone of the setup and main conflict. I'm not against happy endings, but this felt a little forced and pat.

Still, this was well worth the read, and I would happily read a sequel!

CW: Body horror, racism, lynching, lot of white supremacist and KKK language/imagery, animal death

I'm gonna be honest, if there has been something good in my life during this lockdown, it has been discovering the genius that is P. Djèlí Clark. I started with his short story when I was in a slump and couldn't focus and he has captivated me completely with everything of his I've read since. So, it was a no brainer that I was excited for this new novella, but I never expected I would get the ARC and that was a wonderful surprise. And wow was this spectacular.

I feel like I've already used up my bag of superlatives in the intro paragraph because I just don't have more words to describe this amazing story. The way the author manages to blend real historical events starting from slavery to Prohibition era America when this story is set, the deep rooted racism of the times, along with lovecraftian horror elements and some good old monster hunting - it's a carefully crafted masterpiece that packs a very big punch in less than 200 pages. The main character Maryse and her friends Sadie and Chef just jump off the page, with distinct personalities and backstories, and a deep abiding friendship that leaves a mark on you. There is also a very memorable supporting cast of characters, including the villains who all have such a distinct narrative voice despite very little page time. Added to all this are some very thrilling action sequences as well a couple of very creepy chilling ones, and this little novella is essentially perfect.

But what ultimately makes this book extra special are the underlying themes, and for something that's actually a historical novel, it's unfortunate that most of these themes resonate with us even after almost a hundred years. There is so much hate in these pages, in the hearts of the Klan members and the monster Ku Kluxes, and while that might not be the form it takes in our world today, there is still the same hate and politicians festering it even more to gain and keep their power. One of the characters makes a point about how the white Klan members have so much hate in their hearts against Black people even though they already have all the systemic power over them, and exert it to the fullest extent possible, and I think our current predicament gives answers - they don't even wanna contemplate the idea of losing that power and do everything possible to hold onto those racist power structures. But ultimately the message of the book is that despite facing all these oppressions for centuries, when Black people protest and fight for their rights, they are doing so not with the kind of hate they've been subjected to, but with sadness and pain and righteous anger and the need for justice.

To conclude, I don't wanna say much more except, just read this book because it is thrilling and horrific and impactful, and feels like something you've never read before. The writing, the characters, the history, and the horrors - every element comes together perfectly to form a tour de force of a book, and I promise you will be swept away in awe. This is must read fantasy and I can't wait to read whatever the author comes up with next.

Ring Shout, by thrice nominated nebula award author P. Djèlí Clark will win a Hugo or a Nebula and maybe just both for this story. I do not say this lightly as there have been a plethora of gorgeous work, both indie and traditionally published, that have been stellar. We are talking body and soul moving type work, but nothing I have read this year holds a candle to this. If you are not familiar with Clark's other books, let me elucidate you and baptize you in the world of his short story and novellas.
Firstly, The Black God's Drums written in a steampunkesque New Orleans featuring a Moxy filled young teen, African gods, a kidnapped Haitian scientist, and a mysterious weapon he calls The Black God's Drums. When you read this story, you can practically feel the dark cobblestones under your feet, the heady moist air of New Orleans, feel the energy from sweaty dancing, and the power of a place steeped in lore. New Orleans is a special place, but the way Clark describes it is another world fueled by magic.

“As you know, we specialize in that thing you call hate. To your kind, it's just a feeling. A bit of rage behind the eyes.”

The second book in his catalog is The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Where Clark takes on an alternative Cairo where humans live and work with otherworldly beings. While The Black Gods Drums beats with the heart of New Orleans, Clark takes you to Cairo and feeds you passion, silks, smells, and hot sand. Where New Orleans is dark and humid, Cairo is bright and dusty.

The last story in his catalog is that of A Dead Djinn in Cairo. This also takes place in Cairo but has a slightly different feel. It is power, hot sand, history, and bright light, but the story is, at its core, a police procedural. It has a very sam spade type feel.

Why the history lesson on his other books?

So I can help to describe the genius loci of the worlds he creates. The spirit of the place that embodies the culture, architecture, history, and people all combined make a place original. Its own special unique thing that can not be duplicated. Clark is such a good writer that he has created a genuine genius loci in Ring Shout. Halfway through the story, I was looking for a door, a window, anything that could let me into this world. There is no way that it wasn't real.

The story can be summed up that an evil sorcerer has infiltrated some hardened American hearts with a movie The Birth of a Nation. Those people become Klan members and physically change to be the embodiment of the hate they have. They become demons, or as they are known in the story as Ku Klux. Monsters from hell. This sorcerer is trying to open the door to literal hell and devour the souls of Earth's people. Enter Maryse, a female African-American bootlegger from Macon, Georgia that hunts these racist demons. She carries a magical sword infused with the pain of dead slaves. Their voices sing to her and fuel the rage that allows her to manifest the sword and the will to face the Ku Klux. She is a flawed hero in every sense of the word. She has a broken past that haunts her, and she struggles with her choices. But my god, is she this stories champion. I don't think I have ever read a female hero as well written as her.

Aside from that short summation, I can't tell you more of the plot. I would ruin it. This is a novella, and Clark uses few selected words when describing his worlds. Everything is purposeful, and there is not a lot of room to dance around the events described in the book.

Clark writes terrifyingly fantastic body horror in this story. The Ku Klux is frightening in many ways. First, and most obvious, is what they represent. In its most visceral form, racism is pure hate, and that hate has given rise to these creatures that feed on hate. Iconographically, the white hood is frightening in what it represents historically. And the transformation of creatures you are already scared of because of what they represent goes a step further in becoming an actual demon. Clark took fear on many levels, and it works so well. It is very Lovecraftian.

I loved that I could tell some of the influences that Clark has had when writing this. You do not often come across writers that have been influenced by A Wrinkle in Time and Madeline L'Engle. But I felt it in the three Aunties can be likened to Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. Or maybe a nod to the Greek Moirai. These wise Aunties guide Maryse, but they are full of secrets and know more then they are letting on.

Clark is one of the best authors I have ever read, and he is undoubtedly one of the greatest authors alive. I kid you not; if Clark described what fire was in a book of his, I would expect the pages to start to char and blacken as they internalize the prose he writes. To say this is good would be an understatement. All I can say is that Ring Shout should be studied in school for future generations to marvel and learn from.

I just witnessed the birth of a new American classic, and I stand in awe.

Overall: Clark presents an imaginative take on the idea of the KKK as true monsters from another world, feeding on the existing hate in the human mind. The story goes at a good clip and there's never a dull moment. I found this to read as more of a YA urban fantasy than horror. There's magic swords, spiritual guides, and chosen ones and so on. Nothing wrong with that, but it's interesting that it's marketed as horror.

The Horror: There's some monster goo and weird creature bits but nothing here that should keep you from reading it if you usually shy away from horror. Nothing too intense or gory.

Characters: The adventure is led by Maryse and her comrades in arms, Sadie and Chef. I liked Maryse's sidekicks quite a bit. They had personality and since we knew less about them, it was easy to project what they're like. Maryse's character arc is pretty smooth; she's never in doubt for long for what that's worth. (It is a short book after all.)

Final thoughts: I think I might have appreciated this being a bit longer. So much happened and it felt rushed. There was no chance to make a deep connection with characters or events and it seemed like the kind of story where you would want that.

This is great. Despite being a novella, this manages to feel more weighty than some books twice its size. It uses its fantasy well to deliver both a powerful message and a well-needed history lesson (speaking as someone who knew little about the real events from which this draws inspiration). Highly recommended.

“Girl, every choice we make is a new tomorrow. Whole worlds waiting to be born”

Ring Shout puts a satisfying fantasy twist on dealing with racism. By that I mean it was gratifying to be able to read about killing racist summoned monsters. The book was jammed pack full of action with a very exciting climax. Clark narrates in the first person, to bring a lot of life to the main character. He does a great job of melding fantasy and horror, keeping me very engrossed in the book.

This is a story about monsters. Otherworldly beings and those who walk amongst us. The Klu Kluxes are pure hatred and evil personified as shape shifting monsters - and only a small band of female warriors can see them for what they really are.

This is a tale of vengeance and injustice, gore and terror and ultimately love and hope. I loved reading about Maryse and her band of strong women, and really enjoyed how African myth and history was incorporated into this story. It was a great adventure.

The only thing i didn't really enjoy was the Lovecraftian monsters in this book. But that is a case of ‘it's not you it's me'. I am not drawn to monster books - I prefer my horror to be grounded in reality or hauntingly supernatural.

A fast-paced, highly entertaining read.

A teacher once made us watch the movie Mississippi Burning which made a huge impact on me. It did an excellent job depicting Ku Klux Klan as terribly evil bad guys. It sits heavy on my heart like all the mountains in the world combined.

Ring Shout has evil Ku Kluxes, which are evil demon-like beasts that our heroine, Maryse, is hunting with a magical weapon.

I cannot decide if I prefer the use of horror elements in Ring Shout. Maybe the Fantasy elements make the terribleness of history more digestible? I don't know. I usually don't enjoy horror, and the second half of Ring Shout really goes there unabashedly.

I have now read two books from this author (Master Of Djinn and Ring Shout) and this is my verdict: Clark excels at character building. He uses very few words to write multi-layered characters that are realistic and likable. Even with the horror elements I don't particularly enjoy, it was a treat to read Ring Shout because of Maryse, Sadie, Chef and Nana Jean.