Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is an emotionally charged novel that discusses homophobia, racism, and two fathers holding out hope for redemption, even after it is believed to be too late. Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins are both estranged from their sons, Isiah Randolph and Dereck Jenkins, because they couldn’t accept the fact that their sons were gay. Now their sons, a married couple with an adopted daughter have been murdered, and the police aren’t making much headway in the case. In an unlikely pairing, Ike and Buddy Lee team up to find out who killed their sons, but this ex-con duo has their own methods for extracting the truth.
Does Cosby’s Novel Misrepresent the Gay Community?
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While there is no doubt Razorblade Tears is packed with gripping, gritty, and relevant content, Cosby has received some backlash for his representation of Tangerine, the books only transgender character. Referred to as “deeply disappointing” (Bell), Tangerine’s character seems to have set the bar too low for some readers. She can be a difficult pill to swallow, but in context I think she is a relatable personification for someone in her position.
Tangerine wasn’t the most likable character. She did not want to help Ike and Buddy Lee in their mission to find out who killed Dereck and Isiah, but can you blame her? She was terrified for her life. People were out to kill her. This makes Tangerine more real. Real people are flawed, and a flawed character is a good character. Ultimately Tangerine was brave, she helped even when it put her own life and her mother’s life in danger. These redeeming qualities and character growth make her well-rounded and admirable.
Razorblade Tears, Portrait of Regret
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What about Ike and Buddy Lee? Two straight, southern men. One black, one white. Each navigating not only their own racial tensions and homophobia, but the violent loss of their children, and the guilt of taking the lives of those children for granted. Now that their sons are dead, each father is fighting in his own way to understand how the blind spot in their vision destroyed relationships between father and son. These men are doing the only thing they can think of to make up for their mistakes. Exact justice on those that murdered their sons.
Buddy Lee and Ike move Razorblade Tears along at a rapid pace as they face off against a nasty motorcycle gang determined to stop them from discovering the intricacies surrounding the deaths of Dereck and Isiah. Guilt and regret are the motivators, but humanity and forgiveness are the prize. Ultimately, we are consumed by the lengths to which they will go to get the answers they desire. Razorblade Tears holds so much power in its portrayal of grief, love, grit and depiction of what a father should do for a son, even if it seems too late.
About the Author
Tricia is a dedicated writer, working towards earning her BA in Creative Writing and English. As an avid reader, Tricia constantly seeks new literary adventures, drawing inspiration from the diverse narratives she encounters. When not immersed in literature, she indulges her passions for painting, hiking, kayaking, and gardening. She also prioritizes spending time with family and her dog, Dove. Using her downtime to paint and explore the outdoors with family and pets is what renews Tricia’s enthusiasm for writing more each day.
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