WHITE TEARS by HARI KUNZRU (2017)

Yet another 2017 novel about racial tensions. This one centers on white appropriation and exploitation of black culture. Two white college students -- Seth. an introverted poor kid, and Carter, an extroverted member of the 1% -- become friends through their shared love of black music. When Seth records a black blues singer on the streets of New York, Carter backs it with music and posts it on the internet as a 1920's long-lost recording by a fictitious blues singer named Charlie Shaw. What starts out as a realistic account of an unlikely friendship between men from two different worlds turns surreal when an old record collector shows up who claims Charlie Shaw was a real person. The story is told through the viewpoint of Seth, and for the rest of the story it becomes unclear whether events actually occur or if Seth has come unstuck in time or if he is just losing his mind.

This novel seems to me to be a mish-mash of themes, without focus. It's an exploration of racial injustice in America, a picture of the privilege of wealth, a tribute to blues music, the solving of a semi-mystery, a criticism of white exploitation, perhaps a ghost story, and even a love story of sorts, all experienced through the eyes of a mentally unstable and unreliable character.

In addition, I am somewhat offended at an indictment against America by a writer of Indian descent who is a British citizen. Is he not exploiting American culture in order to write a best seller?

White Tears has been critically acclaimed. I found it only mildly interesting.