“A trout is very much like truth; it does what it wants, what it has to.”

The above quote came near the end of the novel, Erasure, by Percival Everett. I’m rereading this wonderful and thought-provoking novel again to see if it will make my all-time favorite novels list. Stay tuned for the verdict.

I see the quote shows the writer Thelonious “Monk” Ellison grappling with his life as it crumbles, both personally and professionally, as he writes the novel “My Pafology” to combat the publishing industry’s stereotyping of African American fiction.

Upon rereading, I can see that Monk is seeking his own truth after discovering a shocking fact regarding his father’s suicide. Moreover, the revelation offers a perspective on his parents’ marriage, his relationships with his siblings, and his writing. Frankly, I thought those elements of the book were more engaging than Monk’s satirical take on the publishing business. Reading that novel-within-a-novel made me cringe because Everett hit all the well-known stereotypes about Black urban life.

The reason this novel is significant to me, and why I consider it an all-time favorite, is Everett’s ability to put Monk through immense challenges, ultimately revealing the unwavering truth of one’s identity. Even if you compromise your values for your career, it won’t satisfy the deep longing to be accepted for your authentic self.

I will end this reread review with this question that came to me just as I finished reading:

Do we truly want to understand each other, or do we want to understand what society has deemed what we should know about each other?

The book implies, particularly through Monk’s cynicism and frustration as an author, that the publishing world isn’t interested in genuine depictions of African American experiences. A caricature of that life is easier to accept than the real thing, which is more complex than what’s depicted. Furthermore, this could also imply that we can’t fully grasp one another in familial bonds, friendships, or gender dynamics. To truly grasp another person’s perspective, no matter their place in society, requires commitment, and quick fixes are ineffective.

Erasure is the third most important I have read and reviewed by an African American writer on this blog since I started it in January 2011. The other two are Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.  All three novels have shaped me as a writer and how one should view their art in this society. Erasure is a must read for Percival Everett fans and those who want to see the African American experience from a different perspective.