Little Scarlet: An Easy Rawlins Novel by Walter Mosley Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Little Scarlet: An Easy Rawlins Novel
Book Review: A slice of history wraped in a mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
I have enjoyed Walter Mosley's writing over the years especially because he is a blackman writing about black characters, unlike James Patterson and his Alex Cross novels. In this edition during the last days of the Watts riots, a black woman named Little Scarlet, is found murdered in her apartment, a building that a white man entered after escaping a mob of rioters. Did this man commit the murder? Rawlin's is soon on the case. As in past novels the mystery is a way for the reader to look into an earlier time, in this case the late 1960's. Through Rawlin's eyes the reader experinces the conflicting feelings of the black investigator toward the riots: great sadness for the loss of life, but also understanding the anger that caused the riots in the first place. In all this is a good mystery wrapped up in a slice of history. Book Review: Black and Blue and White All Over!
Summary: 5 Stars
Since the Easy Rawlins series began, I have been anxious for Mr. Mosley to take Easy through to the 1965 Watts riots. That event marked the equivalent of the Grand Canyon in changing race relations in the Los Angeles area, and I was sure that Mr. Mosley would have many wonderful observations to make about the events and their effects on those who lived through them. As high as my expectations were, Mr. Mosley happily exceeded them. Even among bit characters, you will recognize the attitudes of people you have met or known -- including the hard core racist whose feelings are based on personal insecurity, the person who sees a dark face and is afraid, scavengers who take advantage of anyone who is vulnerable, timid people who are put into fear by any changes, cowards who look the other way if the person who is hurt is a powerless individual, professionals who feel responsible to do the right thing, those who reach out to those in need regardless of who they are, and those who feel bitter because of past wrongs and cannot release that bitterness . . . even if it chokes them literally to death. The book represents a symphony of racial and human attitudes and instincts that accurately represents the world of Los Angeles in 1965.
Little Scarlet is really two stories in one novel. The more important story is about what it means to be a good person. The less important one concerns a murder mystery about a woman who is found dead during the riots. What is most remarkable about the book is that Mr. Mosley is able to subsume the second story into the theme of the first story.
The most delicate aspect of the book though is to capture how everyone was changed by the riots. Mr. Mosley does that in many different and subtle ways that will delight anyone who enjoys a great storyteller telling an important tale with great skill. By the end of the story, you have hope that we can all be better to one another . . . because even the most cynical and calculating are beginning to address one another differently.
For long-time fans of the series, you will be delighted that Mr. Mosley has worked in some many of his primary characters in roles that build your understanding and enjoyment of each character.
Mr. Mosley long ago became much more than a detective novelist. Seeing him apply his remarkable talents in this genre again provides a great context for appreciating his continually improving work.
Reach out and understand!
Book Review: OOOOOH again another smash
Summary: 5 Stars
Walter Mosley is my favourite author FULL STOP. I cannot stress that he writes in a beautiful jazzy prose with some fantasic character. you can feel the heat taste the food and sense the vibe of the stories he tells. I have read every book in the Easy rawlins series and I am on tenterhooks for next one to come along and I will be paying whatever to get my hands on it..let the kids keep harry potter as this is the best magic for all those that want mystery, and stylaised crime novels. A must buy for fans and those new to Easy rawlinsBook Review: Top form
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a huge fan of the Easy Rawlins series and this is right up there with the best. Don't get me wrong, nothing will ever beat Devil in a Blue Dress but this comes close.
Walter Mosley uses his central character Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins to chart modern American history and social upheavals and this story is set against the background of the Watts riots in LA in 1965.
Easy Rawlins is such a well rounded character that you can't help feeling his moral struggle to do what's right.
Book Review: Mosley again reels off another work of greatness
Summary: 5 Stars
Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins seems to grow and become more complex in every book of the series. Here in "little Scarlet" he seems to be both angry and bitter at the world around him; the white powers that be, the black youth that have burnt the city around him and at himself..it shows great power of writing that Mosley has the ability to change Easy from a guy who just wants to keep his head down and get some money (Devil in a Blue Dress) to a man with responsibilities over property and a make shift family(Black Betty)to a man racked with guilt and inner pain (Bad Boy Brawly Brown) tothe man he is now. East Rawlins is very plausible and you feel he tiresome weariness at the world around him, long gone is the fear he once had for the police in the first three books as he is realising the world is changing around him but he feels a little felt behind. This book is better for all of Easy's weaknessness and how he feel about the shifting of the social strata. I love reading these books I have read all of them I hate finishing them as it means I have a long wait until the next one..but if you are thinking of reading this book, don't! buy it by all means but to really appreiciate it read the others in the series first.