Jamel Brinkley, an acclaimed author, made waves with his debut short-story collection, “A Lucky Man,” in 2019. Garnering prestigious awards such as the Ernest J. Gaines Award and being a finalist for the National Book Award, it established Brinkley as a talented writer. Now, he presents his highly anticipated follow-up collection titled “Witness.” Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, this new collection delves into the lives of individuals whose identities are deeply intertwined with their African American ancestry.
While figurative specters shape and define the characters in “Witness,” there is one story, “Arrows,” that introduces a literal ghost. In this haunting tale, an adult son is confronted with the task of selling his family’s ancestral home. He hesitates and addresses his departed mother, remarking upon the presence of a haunted house. His mother responds, dismissing his surprise and pointing out that most old houses carry their own ghosts.
Throughout the collection, Brinkley juxtaposes private spaces like haunted houses and tense dining tables with public arenas of significance. These include hip art galleries, museum parties, and politically charged murals. The past becomes a performance and possession, shaping the characters’ lives. In the poignant story “Bystander,” a mother observes her angry, anorexic daughter and recognizes traits inherited from her great-grandmother, perceiving both an ancestor and an evolution in her troubled child.
“Witness” maintains a tonal coherence without blurring the boundaries between stories; each tale stands independently as a memorable work. The titular story stands out as the narrator, an unemployed academic, becomes intimately involved in his sister’s trials. From a mysterious medical condition to a hasty marriage with a simple-minded DJ, the sister delves deep into African American history, avidly collecting as much information as possible. This newfound obsession serves as her resistance against the challenges life has thrown her way.
The characters in this collection serve as witnesses, often torn between hesitation and perceptive observation. Brinkley’s prose, in contrast, exudes confidence and dynamism, meticulously rendering vivid details. Whether in the poignant “Bystander,” the unsettling “The Let-Down” that explores a young man’s ill-fated flirtation, or the coming-of-age tale “Blessed Deliverance,” which explores the opening of an animal shelter in the face of gentrification, Brinkley captivates readers with his skilled storytelling.
In conclusion, “Witness” showcases Jamel Brinkley’s remarkable talent for crafting thought-provoking tales that delve into the complexities of African American experiences. With his confident prose and captivating characters, Brinkley leaves a lasting impression on readers, inviting them to bear witness to the intricacies of human existence.
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