In order to evolve, it is necessary to observe the past, so that we do not make the same mistakes. The fictional work A Brownstone In Brooklyn by author Julius Thompson exemplifies this theory very well. The story takes place in 1960, a turbulent period in America. The story deals with the dilemmas experienced by Andy Michael Pilgrim, a young man who like many others in that context, had his conflicts being measured with social and economic conflicts. Racial struggles and prejudice were important markers of the time, not only in New York, but in the world.
The accounts brought by the author are totally necessary to understand the path taken by society, which even today cannot be considered a vanquished struggle, and racism has not been decimated by far. The description of the story and the dialogues between the characters give the reader a feeling of familiarity and belonging to the plot, because it is done in a simple and ordinary way, showing the daily life of a peripheral place. In this way, the reading becomes instigating and easy, turning an extremely serious and pertinent subject into something of simple interpretation for everyone.
To approach a theme of this magnitude and lead the reader to search his or her conscience is not easy, however, Thompson has done it masterfully in this work. The importance of the racial movements and their precursors is made evident at every moment in the stories of the Brooklyn residents’ daily lives, and the positive impact they had on the way they see themselves not only as citizens, but also as people who deserve to be culturally appreciated and recognized for their beauty.
A Brownstone In Brooklyn by author Julius Thompson allows readers to be immersed in the story and really understand the sixties in America in a contextual and individual way. It will make a lasting impression on readers who enjoy stories based on reality and African American historical fiction.
English