Ishmael Reed's "Juice!"

Ishmael Reed's most recent book, Juice!, reminds me why I've enjoyed his work over the years. The novel uses trickster characters to deliver humorous and sharp observations of life in these United States. His book is filled with spot-on observations regarding race, social class, politics, and the media. Reed's darts, aimed at those who profited from the Simpson circus, are particularly effective. He also points out that backdoor racism, notably bubbling around some of President Obama's critics, is not news for minority groups that live in America. It's an everyday event, especially for African-American males.

Satire as a means of intellectual expression has a long, honorable history. Juice! is a worthy addition to works that compel readers to consider look at themselves and the society in which they live. It's a book of imagination, style, and intellectual courage that's sorely needed now. For a taste of Reed's current ventures, take a look at Konch Magazine.