Fat Time and Other Stories

In his story collection Fat Time and Other Stories, Jeffery Renard Allen reimagines historical figures and African concepts of circular time to explore American culture in the 20th and 21st centuries. The book combines speculative history with tender depictions of Black life in urban America, blurring the lines between the natural, supernatural, sacred, and profane. Allen's work is praised for its range and depth of imagination, extending the tradition of authors like Ralph Ellison, William Faulkner, Henry Roth, and Ishmael Reed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 17 July 2023
Publisher: Graywolf Press,U.S.

In his collection of short stories titled Fat Time and Other Stories, author Jeffery Renard Allen takes readers on a captivating journey through time and space, featuring a diverse cast of characters that includes iconic figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Francis Bacon, Jack Johnson, Miles Davis, and a space-age Muhammad Ali. These characters are reimagined and transformed by Allen to bring us news of America in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Alongside them are a series of invented characters, each with their unique stories and perspectives.

One strand of the story explores speculative history, delving into the possibilities of alternate histories and the impact they could have on the course of human events. In one particularly intriguing tale, Hendrix and Bacon find themselves transported to a future where music and art have been outlawed, and they must navigate a society where conformity and uniformity are the norm. Another story takes us back to the days of the Civil Rights Movement, where Johnson, a boxer, becomes a symbol of resistance and hope for African Americans facing discrimination and violence.

The other strand of the story focuses on tender and painful depictions of Black life in urban America. Allen paints vivid portraits of the struggles and hardships faced by these characters, from the poverty and violence of inner-city neighborhoods to the complexities of interracial relationships and the search for identity. One character, an African preacher, visits a Christian religious retreat to speak on the evils of fornication, only to find himself grappling with his own sexual desires and the contradictions of his faith. Another character, an albino revolutionary, struggles with leading his people into conflict, torn between his desire for peace and his commitment to social justice.

What sets Fat Time and Other Stories apart is its fusion of African notions of circular time, in which past, present, and future exist all at once. Allen weaves this concept seamlessly into the narrative, creating a sense of interconnectedness and balance between the natural and supernatural, the sacred and the profane, the real and the fantastical. The stories are filled with moments of destruction and creation, as characters face both personal and societal challenges that test their resilience and strength.

Through his work, Allen has been hailed as a visionary author who extends the tradition of influential writers such as Ralph Ellison, William Faulkner, Henry Roth, and Ishmael Reed. However, he is also forging his own path through American literature, creating a unique and powerful voice that resonates with readers of all backgrounds. Fat Time and Other Stories brilliantly showcases the range and depth of Allen's imagination, offering a thought-provoking and immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 209 x 142 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644452394