Ghalen – Walter Mosley

Walter Mosley is probably my favorite author and I am so grateful to Harper Collins for approving my reading the ARC of this incredible novel. For once, the publisher’s blurb is spot on perfect, so be sure to read that. Ghalen, the protagonist, is central to this story but it is decidedly an ensemble story of family, families of choice, friendship and being Black in the USA. Ghalen’s mother Jamilah has her MD and does research. His father Robert has an unidentified disability that one would say makes him “neurodivergent.” Robert is a Vegan cook in a small restaurant where everyone is family. The novel starts with Jamilah and Robert finding each other and just being right. Mosley writes Robert as such a wise and loving man with the best judgment for his son, the perfect compliment to his Jamilah a loving woman, who sees to the things Robert is less able to do. Ghalen’s grandmothers are problematic in their way but he has a robust extended family through his father’s work and all through his life, he expands his family of choice.

This is not exactly a joyous book or an easy book to read all the time, yet it is extraordinarily satisfying. Mosley writes characters like nobody’s business. And the story encompasses so many experiences with so much love in the face of tragedy or just setbacks here and there that it is impossible to put down. We quickly understand that Ghalen is gifted intellectually and gifted in befriending people. He uses rather unusual/unique judgment about how to handle many unbearable experiences. Still, we trust him to be true to his values and in his authenticity. These decisions are based on his world view and loyalty to his truth and to his “family.” His judgments frequently and in one situation dramatically lead to a wild ride and yet it all makes sense. Even when Ghalen develops an issue with anger that could lead to danger, his soul leads him toward the right path and always with the loving support of all those people surrounding him with love, approval and kindness. Ultimately when we want to scream, “No! Ghalen! Time to conform and be conventional,” Mosley has us nodding our heads and saying, “That’s Ghalen for you!” I loved this book! Six stars!