Review: BLACK - a graphic bio of Tobias Taitt with graphics by Anthony Smith

 

Tobais Taitt's graphic bio BLACK is the second book I've read in as many months that tells a harrowing story of the cruelty and brutality being brought up in the English care system in the 80s and 90s with a teenage boy search for sex and love in an uncaring, indifferent world. Where Malik Al Nasir's story in Letters To Gil is a story ending in purpose and direction with his twin careers of music and education despite being brought up within the barbarity of the care system I wrote a review for Goodreads.  BLACK ends with a profound teenage revelation leaving us to  speculate on his adult life and career

Tobais's  story like Malik has a challenging family background but not as desperate - Malik had a confusing homelife with one father with two wives, Tobais's mother had eight children by eight different fathers, he was the seventh , she was divorced four times and murdered one husband in revenge for murdering her brother by pouring boiling oil over his head while he sat in a bath after allegedly raping her. 

The narrative is very candid, often sad as we read of Tobais isolation in response to his mistreatment by an uncaring system and his resulting anger and rage - there are a few moments of happiness but there are often short lived as the uncaring system takes over with the equally cruel and and brutal police often close at hand to regulate Tobais's behaviour. One scene that struck home with me was his rejection by his first crush following her rejection after taking him home to meet her parents 'The reason?  I was black and her father didn't like it' A scenario many young black boys like myself are familiar with.

Anthony Smith's graphics are innovative including a wonderful homage to  Kerry James Marshall's A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self. His portrayal's of Tobais's emotions, his inner thoughts  and his rage are compelling, totally convincing. The text and graphics work well together as drills down to make a point ...told brilliantly in the last few graphics as Tobias has his epiphany. I will not reveal it, I leave it to you to read and be as moved as I was. 

To conclude a good looking, very readable book - a page turner - I read it in two sessions. When one reflects on one's own childhood and its perceived difficulties then reads BLACK telling of  Tobais's upbringing in care it makes one  realise just how fortunate so many of us are. A sober, but highly recommended read.