The brilliance of this book, and it is brilliant, is that Victor LaValle uses Lovecraftian mythos and scale to make extremely relevant social commentary. By the time all is said and done, it's hard not to empathize with Mr. Charles Thomas Tester, be he true protagonist or not. I won't pretend I can relate exactly to the human struggles faced here, but I did find myself struck by the poignancy.

This story is expertly plotted and paced, and drags the reader through all its bends and scrapes, stopping here and there for some gloriously creepy imagery. The part where Detective Malone arrives at the home of Ma Att is particularly unforgettable. LaValle delivers a story set in the 1920's, mixes this setting with horror most cosmic, and leaves us with a stunning revelation regarding the main character's journey.