X: A Novel

Shabazz, Ilyasha with Kekla Magoon. X: A Novel. 2015. 348p. ISBN 978-0-7636-6967-6. Available at FIC SHA on the library shelves.

Malcolm Little lives in Lansing, Michigan, during the Depression. His father and mother were both strong advocates for the rights of Blacks, and told their many children they could accomplish anything they set their minds to. Marcus Garvey’s mantra, “Up, you mighty race,” illuminated their childhood. But all is not right in the 1930s Michigan, and as Malcolm grows up he realizes that his father’s preaching earn nothing but scorn and insults from the white folks that surround them.

His father has an “accident” when Malcolm is six, and his mother is hard pressed to help the family survive. She manages to hang on for seven long years before the government finally institutionalizes her and places all of the children in foster care. Malcolm is now on his own, and loses the little direction he had from his father. His English teacher in high school asks him what he wants to be, and when he replies he wants to become a lawyer the teacher laughs. A black man can’t be a lawyer!

Rudderless and lost, Malcolm is given the opportunity to move to Boston with his half-sister. There he discovers a whole new world where Blacks live together in their own neighborhoods, where they can dance and party away. Malcolm quickly succumbs to the night life and the easy money hustling various schemes.

As he sinks further in a life of crime, easy women, and easy money, Malcolm finds himself searching for more. It’s only when he finally gets arrested and gets sent to prison that Malcolm discovers the power of Garvey’s quote. He converts to Islam, changes his name to Malcolm X to reject the patronyme given to him by slavers, and joins the Nation of Islam.

Drawn from real events and written in part by his daughter, the story of Malcolm X’s youth is fascinating and demonstrates his growth from a petty and narcissistic criminal to a religious and political leader who was part of the Civil Rights movement. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy discovering an individual whose myth has now overwhelmed his real life.