The Last Vestige of Goodness and Grace For The Master- Eric Jerome Dickey
The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey was yet another masterful piece of art by one of the greatest writers and storytellers of this century.
In this final edition, Dickey showed readers why he deserved high praise. If you know the difference between a storyteller and an average writer, then you understand my point. Dickey told stories with more emotional dissonance (harmony) than the average consumer of fine art.
The Son of Mr. Suleman will take readers on a spirited ride back in time, even though this story is in this modern era. The level of racism and ignorance will astound some, yet, for many, it is the reality of living Black in America.
The story details a Professor with the pedigree and the knowledge to instruct at the university he taught. Yet, one would never know by the blatant disrespect and degradation he received from his colleagues.
Although this story details the professor’s plight, it also highlights the fine art of code-switching, as many often do in societal interactions today. The book’s 80s and 90s pop culture references kept the story lively. The family dynamics in the tale were comical and had me howling with laughter.
The Characters
Pi’s mother was a whole mess, and his sister a close second. His mother called her kids Fastest Swimmer, and you will amuse at the reason behind the title.
So, let us talk about the antagonist Dr. Stone-Calhoun- the devil in a blue dress type, a pariah for Pi’s future as an adjunct professor. Her husband, the drunken so-called honorable judge, was a pasty pencil dick prick. The racial undertone in the story revolved and circulated with Suleman’s so-called superiors.
Professor Gemma Buckingham was the surprise cast member in this delectable tale. She came across as relaxed and then a bit stalkerish before she settled into her groove. The professor had a mysterious side and a hypersexual side I think you will find interesting. Gemma fit her role to a tee once she understood her place in Pi’s life.
Family Issues
The deeper story included his father, who violated his mother and never looked back; this resonated in the fabric of this story. Other parts included The Widow Professor and MoFo, Pi’s neighbors in the story. They reminded me of that television show of the neighbors who always spoke to one another over the fence.
Moses Vernon Ford, or MoFo, was a tall white man from primarily white Grenada County, married a petite Black woman who bore five children and loved the ground she walked. MoFo lived across the street from Pi. The irony, he was the only white person on the block.
Final Thoughts
The story had many characters to fill the storyline and explained the related connectivity as it unravels. Overall, the story had a tone of discontent, despair, desperation, and delight—the emotions emanating from Professor Pi throughout the tale encapsulated the tale fully.
As usual, Dickey wrote this story with EJD zest. His word game is exemplary, as I have always referred to him as the human thesaurus.
We learned about Mr. Suleman and his impact on Pi’s life. As you read and grasp the significance of the title, it is vintage Eric Jerome Dickey. He told his final story, and this is one we will remember as his last words of wisdom.
Rest in Realness, Mr. Dickey.
![Interview With Author and Executive Producer Miasha Coleman [Audio + Video]](https://shareehereford.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/YouTube-Pics--45x45.jpg){kind=small}
