Historical Fiction: Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead

Author Colson Whitehead has finished out what has been called The Harlem Trilogy with Cool Machine, which started with Harlem Shuffle back in 2021. Ray Carney's story of being part of cons, both small and big, in the heart of Harlem comes to a close with the man more successful than ever, but having to face what he did to get there, and where he intends to go next.

The Situation: It is 1981, and Ray Carney has been named Sterling Furniture's Northeast Regional Dealer of the Month, the first black man to receive the designation. With the successful expansion of the furniture store, and the kids grown and out of the house, Ray has certainly entered a different time in his life. If it was not for his wife's difficulty in securing a loan for her travel agency, he would give up the crooked life for good. But then the opportunity to work with a criminal legend comes up, and it is just the thing for Ray to secure the money Elizabeth needs. 

The Problem: It is 1986, and Ray has had to do the uncomfortable thing and come to terms with some of the things he has done, and what kind of man he is. But even a willingness to reconcile his past does not mean the future will be smooth sailing. Still haunted by the death of his cousin 20 years ago, Ray is now compelled to help his cousin's son, who finds himself in a situation with the potential to end badly. Ray's longtime friend Pepper is there to help, as always, but getting involved means putting at risk all that he has built and done for himself and his family.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in and around New York City, with three different stories in 1981, 1983, and 1986. In fact, Whitehead dedicates the book to the city, which explores what the place was like during the Reagan years, with buildings being bought up and brought down, and so many being displaced in an effort to make way for new structures that do not at all match with the old ones. Furniture salesman Ray Carney is still a little bit crooked, and still very much his father's son, despite his desire to leave all of that behind and be the man worthy of the woman he married. As he and his friend Pepper do what they have always done, they must acknowledge that they are older now, things are changing, and luck can run out.

My Verdict: This is a great way to finish out Ray Carney's story, as well as explore 1980s New York City with all of its flaws and issues, while making it clear that the author still loves and reveres the place. Ray is a man now in a different stage of life, which automatically makes him reflective, and a little regretful over some of the things he has been a part of. I was wary of the idea of the book jumping ahead through time to tell three different stories, but the effect offers a view of a fast-changing New York City, something else that the protagonists must come to terms with. This trilogy is a must for lovers of Whitehead's work. 

Favorite Moment: The book is made up of three separate stories taking place in 1981, 1983, and 1986. In 1983, Pepper is introduced to the East Village art and club scene, and his confusion and disdain is fun to witness.

Favorite Character: Pepper is older and nearly brought to his knees by illness, but he is still a stoic fighter that nearly anyone would be a fool to try to go up against.

Recommended Reading: Also set in New York City, Brendan Slocumb's Symphony of Secrets is a different kind of historical fiction that moves back and forth through time.