Book Review: "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride

Set in 1969 Brooklyn, Deacon King Kong opens with a literal bang: an elderly church deacon named Sportcoat shoots a young drug dealer in broad daylight. What follows is a richly layered and wildly entertaining exploration of a neighborhood teetering on the edge of change—where churchgoers, mob bosses, drug dealers, and undercover cops all intersect in the aftermath.

Told with humor, heart, and a touch of chaos, this novel is a love letter to community—the messy, beautiful, and deeply flawed ways people hold each other up in hard times.

My Review

I rated Deacon King Kong 5 out of 5 stars for its unforgettable characters, razor-sharp wit, and soulful storytelling. James McBride does something few writers can: he makes you laugh, cry, and think deeply all in the span of a single page.

The cast is sprawling but never confusing, and every person feels fully alive—from the drunken yet endearing Sportcoat to the determined detectives, the gossipy church ladies, and the neighborhood kids just trying to figure it all out. The pacing is snappy, the dialogue sparkles, and the heart of the story never wavers.

This book reminded me why fiction matters—it reflects the ridiculous, the sacred, and everything in between.

My Scrapbook Spread

For this spread, I leaned into bold, red colors and layered textures that capture the energy of 1960s Brooklyn:

• A photo of The Five Ends Baptist Church (I created this sticker)

• Ants crawling around the journal spread representing the ants that appeared each spring

• Images of hearts and words of love throughout the spread to represent the love that Sportcoat had for Hettie and for Sister Gee and Potts

• An image of the Cause Houses and a basketball court that represents the living area of the community (I created this sticker)

• Plants that represent the relationship of Sportcoat and Mrs. Elefante

• Baseball bat and baseball to represent the skills that Sportcoat had for the game and him coaching Deems Clemens

• A brick wall was positioned above the hand to represent the continued phrase of, "It's in the palm of his hand"

Watch the Review

Join me as I dive into the wild, heartfelt world of Deacon King Kong and share how I captured the vibe in my creative journaling spread. This review celebrates the humor and humanity that make this book a must-read.