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Miss Fabularian
May 27, 20161 min read

X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon


TITLE: X: A Novel

PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press

PUBLISHED DATE: January 6, 2015

ISBN: 978-0763669676

PAGES: 384

I enjoyed this book. I mean...it's not Malcolm X's extraordinary autobiography...but it was a good read. I think I liked it better than I thought I would.

The story begins with Malcolm being 14 years old around the time when he and his siblings were separated from his mother. Malcolm learns the truths about his mother, a proud black woman who could pass for white, often doing so in order to secure employment, and then losing jobs when her employers would discover she's black. The story also explores Malcolm's loss of interest in education when told as a negro he should not strive for nor attain success. they also explore how the violent murder of Malcolm's father coupled with the heartless oppression sustained by Malcolm's mother shaped teen Malcolm's world view. Malcolm's time in Boston and Harlem come alive, as young Malcolm gets a "slave", and the degrading groveling it must have taken him in order to keep his "slave". This book would make a great pairing for studies on the epic figure, that could definitely make this legendary man accessible to today's youth. I did listen to the audiobook, performed by Dion Graham. It was a solid listen, but not extraordinary. The ending was read by the author and Malcolm X's daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, and also includes a timeline of Malcolm's life.

Recommendation: Read it!

Audience: Young Adults and up

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