Customer Reviews

47

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"Neither master nor nigger be."

Powerful words. And a prominent theme running through the remarkable book, 47 by Walter Mosley, an African-American writer best known for his Easy Rawlins series of detective novels-one of which, "Devil in a Blue Dress"-was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington.

This is Mosley's first novel for young adults, but there's plenty in 47 for a grown-up to ponder. Set on a cotton plantation in the South in 1832, it is the first person narrative of "47", a 14-year old slave, brand new to the fields, as he's just gotten big enough to work (slaves don't receive names, only numbers). The up-close look at the institution from this particular perspective is a revelation. Using his hero as an instrument, Mosley describes the physical, psychological and emotional effects the "lifestyle" has on those in its clutches, and who have known nothing else. He does it in simple, stark, powerful words. The reader sees the deep and lasting effect of being raised from birth in a society that is convinced you are inferior, is in your face about it, and has engineered an entire society based on the fact.

I don't have room for details, but rest assured that 47 is an intelligent, heroic young man, capable of great feats of bravery and compassion, as he proves time and time again in the course of the novel. Yet even though this is the case, halfway through the book he still honestly believes, that "All I knew was how to be lazy and how to work like a dog." When he has to kill a white man in self-defense, he immediately looks up to the sky "looking for God's retribution". These and other like insights add up to create a powerful indictment of societal conditioning, and illuminate the folly of judging a people as intrinsically inferior. Where Mosley's genius shines through is that these perceptions never seem forced. We don't feel preached at. Instead, he makes such thoughts and feelings an integral part of characters we care for, which makes the attitudes all the more stunning.

One of Mosley's main purposes in writing this book is to let young black people hear a voice contrary to society's negative stereotypes regarding their culture and heritage-to assist them in forming pride regarding who they are and where they come from. This includes issues of image and beauty. For example, our hero is absolutely smitten with Eloise, the white slave master's daughter, whom he considers "the most beautiful girl in the world." This is a marked contrast to how he views women of his own race. One in particular, 84, he describes as being "black and ugly with nappy hair and liver lips. She couldn't hold a candle to Miss Eloise." Only after spending time listening to the mysterious russet-colored stranger, Tall John "from beyond Africa" (more on him in a minute) does 47 begin to see the beauty of 84 and other females working the fields.

Oh, and it's a science fiction novel, too.

Tall John, whom we first meet as a runaway slave with an uncanny ability to heal the sick, turns out to be a visitor from another planet, who is here to liberate 47 and steer him toward his destiny as no less than the savior of the universe. The interstellar enemy here are the Calash, giant albino tentacled things that are right out of a pulp magazine. They're from Tall John's home planet, a planet that we visit by way of 47's visions. It's a colorful landscape-quite literally-as Tall John in his true form is part of an interplanetary race as varied and bright in hue as the rainbow.

Turns out the Calash can make themselves look like normal people and are working on planet earth, along with their zombie-like human agents. Part of the exciting climax of the story is how 47 steps up to the challenge of saving the world with the help of Tall John and a handful of slaves. The suspense is doubled because all of our heroes have become runaway slaves in the process, which means that they are in constant danger of being caught by their owners (and Mosley does not flinch in showing the bloody horror that transpires when a slave does get caught and is brought to the master's "killin' shack").

As I am a bit of a genre enthusiast, I was somewhat surprised that I found myself distracted by the more far-out plot points, which surface most prominently in the last third of the book. Mosley explores such substantial themes in the first two-thirds of the story, that the most overt science fiction and fantasy elements seem lightweight and clichéd by comparison. Tall John is a more compelling character when he is the mysterious stranger who shatters 47's perceptions about himself and his people. When he fully reveals himself and recruits 47 to be the point man for a kind of Battle Beyond the Stars, it feels somewhat trite and anti-climactic, if not a little tacked on.

However, if this kind of sub-plot is what it takes for young people to digest this book, then I say more power to the writer. The book has an important message, and it needs to be conveyed to impressionable minds however it can. The book is set up so sequels could easily be written, and it would be interesting to see where Mosley would take the story.

"Never say master. Not unless you are looking inward or up beyond the void."

It's a message for everyone, especially in this day and age.

I listened to the Unabridged Audio version of "47", narrated by the late, great Ossie Davis. It was a wonderful experience. The story although aimed toward young teen audiences, is not too simple for adults to enjoy. This story is a heartfelt introduction to slavery for today's youth (to whom many this history is forgotten.) Kudos to Mr. Mosley for taking on such a tough subject; and for the foresight to aim it to a young audience.

On another note, Ossie Davis did an outstanding job with the narrative; I will always treasure this as one of his great works of art.

-- P. Walker-Williams, PageTurner.net

47 is a strange, interesting book. It's part history of slavery in America, and part science fiction with a mysterious ET. What's even stranger is that the odd combination works. 47 is a 14 year old slave back in 1832. He's always out in the cotton fields picking cotton, feeling sorry for himself. Along come a mysterious stranger named Tall John. 47 thinks Tall John is a slave too, until he finds out that the stranger is really an alien from another world, with unusual powers. At first 47 assumes that Tall John is there to free him and the other slaves, but Tall John is really there to help 47 fight against the Calash, enemies of Tall John's race from his home planet. Capable of making themselves look exactly like humans, they are controlling real humans and must be defeated. 47 turns out to be brave and bold (as Tall John knew all along) and he and other slaves rise up against the Calash and save our world. By living up to his potential and full abilities, 47 shows that no matter who you are, adversity can be overcome with courage and conviction. Another book I read with a similar theme is An Audience for Einstein, a story about a 12 year old who is also helped to overcome great odds.

Walter Mosley gets an 'A' for originality and a 'C' for execution on this one. If he had pared back the sci-fi a little bit, it would have been outstanding, but when Tall John begins naming all the beings in his world, the story gets bogged down in the minutia. I wanted less of the Quesziastril, Calash, and Talam. I wanted more of the legend of John the Conqueror. I wanted to be bound up in the tale, as a Mosley offering will usually do, but when I had to stop to decipher which extraterrestrial was which, I lost the flow of 47's narrative.

Walter Mosley is likely to capture a new generation of readers and fans with his first book for young adult readers, 47. The story is a mix of history, mythology (particularly the story of Tall John the Conqueror), and science fiction that is sure to become a timeless classic. The book title is derived from the name and number of its main character, 47. He opens the book by explaining that he has been the same age for the last 170 years, and as the story unfolds, he sets about explaining how.

47 lived a relatively sheltered life as a slave until he was put to work in the cotton fields. Tired from being overworked in the fields, isolated because other field slaves felt he has had it too easy in life, and hurt by his sense of betrayal because the woman who raised him, Big Mama, wouldn't keep him out of the fields, 47 feels dejected, alone and exhausted. All that changes when he meets what he initially thinks is a runaway slave, but later learns is an extraterrestrial being, Tall John. Tall John, who is from beyond Africa, has supernatural powers and has come to help 47 fulfill his destiny. The two form an immediate bond, and in spite of the fact that it takes 47 a while to realize it, fate has brought them together. 47 is awestruck, not only by Tall John's powers, but also by his strength, and for a while he believes that Tall John has come to save him and other slaves. Little does he know, Tall John is only a teacher, sent to share his wisdom, and to prepare 47 so he can someday realize his full potential.

This book is one that is difficult to review because it does so much so well. Mosley seamlessly merges history and fantasy and the result is a page turner that will leave you breathless. While this book was written with a young adult audience in mind, adults are sure to love it as well. The plot is intelligent, thought provoking and a true testament to Mosley's creative mind. The characters are thoroughly and thoughtfully drawn, so much so, that even when they accomplish unfathomable feats, such as flying, it is believable. Rarely can you find a book that will inspire both young and old to think, feel, and most importantly, dream like 47.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

What if a visitor from another world/universe/galaxy arrived on Earth, in the American South, during the 1800's? This is the premise of Walter Mosley's first YA novel. Goddess of YA Lit, Teri Lesesne pointed me towards the audio version of this book when she recounted sitting in the driveway at her home, unable to get out of the car, because she and her family were so immersed in this story.

The teenage protagonist has been protected from the brutal realities of slave life for approximately 14 years by his surrogate mother Big Mama Flore. When he is sent to work in the fields, he is branded with the number 47 which becomes his only name.

He encounters Tall John, a run away slave who implies he has been looking for 47 for a long time and the two are already linked in friendship and spirit. Tall John instructs 47 to "neither master nor nigger be!" He demands that 47 reject his acceptance of slavery and begin to look at the world and the universe through new eyes.

47 marvels at Tall John's magic yellow bag which can conceal them from enemies and heal their wounds and learns that Tall John is from another world. He is fighting beings called the Calash who are present on Earth in human form and 47 has been called to free his own people from the anathema of slavery and to fight the other forms Evil takes throughout the ages.

Initially I had some difficulty catching all of Ossie Davis's narration but now I cannot fathom experiencing this book in any other way. Davis is the voice and heart of this story.

Part historical fiction, part sci-fi, part folk tale and legend, 47 is one of the most original stories I have experienced.

"The mature slave knows that dreams never come true. They know that they'll eat sour grain and sawdust everyday except Christmas and that they'll always work from before sunrise until after dusk every day for all the days of their lives."

When 47 is just a boy, perhaps twelve or thirteen, he begins to understand how hard being a slave can be because it's then that he finds himself in the cotton fields and taken from the nurturing care of Big Mama Flore. Mama Flore had tried to prepare him for the difficult turn his life would take. Being a slave means not knowing your birthdates and often never knowing your own blood-related family. 47 doesn't even know if he has any other name because Master Tobias gives him a number rather than a name --- it's as simple as that.

Living in the slave quarters with grown men and working from dawn to dusk, the most important thing to 47 is trying to stay out of the overseer Mr. Stewarts's way. He begins to understand Big Mama's words: "White peoples gots as many ages as you can count but slaves on'y gots four ages. That's babychile, boy or girl, old boy or old girl, an'dead." 47 has seen more than one slave beaten to death and others who have been taken to the killin' shack. "And those that did come back were never the same."

One day, however, everything changes for 47 and for every slave and white person on Corinthian Plantation when, by chance, he literally runs into "Tall John."

"He was the most beautiful being I had ever known. His skin was the color of highly polished brass but a little darker, a little like copper too but not quite. His eyes were almond-shaped and large with red-brown pupils. He was bare-chested and slender, but there was elegance in his lean stance. All he wore was a pair of loose blue trousers cinched at the waist with a piece of rope."

There is no explaining the immediate attraction between the boy and Tall John. John seems to look deep inside of him and know his every fear. Tall John tells him that he has finally "found" him and that he, 47, is a special boy with a special mission. Over a period of time 47 finds Tall John even more mysterious.

"I knew that he wasn't one of us, the slaves, but something different, something that neither I nor anyone I had ever known had met. I knew right then that the run-away Lemuel, now calling himself Tall John, was something like an angel, or a devil."

Tall John has a way of communicating with people that makes them pause. He, however, cannot predict the evil within Mr. Stewart or the anger in Master Tobias. After he magically saves the slave master's daughter, he and 47 are turned over to Mr. Stewart because they are slaves. Even with all of this, none of them is ready for the strength and wisdom of what Tall John is able to convey. Nor are they prepared for the horrible violence and tragedy that results from the blinding hatred that men pour upon one another.

Walter Mosley has written a kind of biblical, historical allegory with a touch of science fiction thrown in. Within this story there is a serious look at the problems of good and evil and the not-so-subtle implications on the wounds of racial prejudice. As this book closes the reader knows terrible and needless deaths have occurred and that those left have not finished their journey. You will want to know more about all the wonderfully realized characters in this little book. You will hope that 47 and the possibility of his new life will come again in a sequel to this thought-provoking, finely wrought tale.

The cover art is at once mystical and beautiful, presented with an old-fashioned black and white picture of plantation slaves in a cotton field. Floating above them against a faded blue sky is an orange number "47" and above that a strange configuration of lines. The lines, which look similar to astrological maps, are repeated throughout the book at the beginning of each chapter. These symbols all tie in to the story like the pieces of a lovely puzzle --- all together a wonderful and magical experience.

   --- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

47 joins the rare pantheon of young adult literature that is badly mislabled. This is simple literature at its most illuminating, haunting best. This is not a read just younger children. However this should be read and interpreted by an adult to elementary school children who need to understand the horror that was American slavery but also the strength and fortitude it took to survive. It should be read by everyone else because it is a fabulous story well told. Mosely is a gifted, gifted writer and here's hoping that young and old of all cultures experience his unique gift.

Thank you Walter Mosley! Thank you for giving me the book that I have been waiting all my life to read. Since I was young I have been searching for a fantasy tale that mixed African-American history with an exciting out of this world adventure. I just wish that this book existed when I was young. I searched for a book just like this during my youth but never found it. I am so glad that young people today now have this book.

This is a skillfully written imaginative story that will capture the minds of all that enjoy a good told tale from a different point of view. I truly hope that this is only the beginning of the story. I hope that Mr. Mosley will compose many sequels. Some stories need to be continued and this is definitely one.

May "47" (High John the Conqueror) live a long life in the minds and hearts of our youth!

Written for teens, yet very absorbing for all. Mosley covers past, present, possible future, slavery and science fiction. Great book!