Beauregard "Bug" Montage is a hardworking Black mechanic with a remarkable talent for driving. He has a checkered past, but has chosen instead the path of the straight and narrow. He lives in rural Virginia, but is now struggling to keep his family afloat, and his auto shop is failing, His sons need braces and glasses, and his mother faces eviction. Desperate, Beauregard plans a final heist to solve his problems. Ironically, returning to crime feels strangely comfortable. However, the heist goes wrong, plunging Beauregard into a dangerous situation, and Beauregard gets caught up in the chaos that follows.[1]
Analysis
A means to an end
Gabino Iglesias, reviewing this book for NPR, says that S. A. Cosby, the author, shows himself to be empathetic to the allure of crime. Through the depiction of Bug, the audience sees that Cosby gets how financial hardship can push even good people to make bad choices.[2] Through Bug, we see that Cosby recognizes the sacrifices that people sometimes make, believing their actions are ultimately for noble reasons.[2] Furthermore, Cosby ably expresses this sentiment through Bug, a complex character burdened by the legacy of his now absent criminal father − who was also a driver. Bug has to contend with the conflicting emotions of guilt and intense excitement that come with a criminal escape. Despite past imprisonment, the pressure to take care of his family - from preserving his business to his children's well-being and his daughter's college dreams - offsets the terrifying concern of returning to jail. The desire to offer his children a better future surpasses the personal risk.[2]
Racial prejudice
Iglesias says that this book serves as a strongly effective criticism of racial prejudice, starting in Appalachia and resonating throughout the country. While violence is present, the most lasting impact comes from the sadness and yearning for a better life that permeates the story.[2] Additionally, Iglesias says that Blacktop Wasteland directly confronts racism. Author S. A. Cosby, a Black man from the American South, brings his own experiences to life in the story. He portrays the various realities of being Black in areas where symbols of racial hatred are still present, such as the Confederate flag.[2]
Reception
According to Book Marks, the book received a "rave" consensus, based on thirteen critics: twelve "rave" and one "mixed".[6] In Books in the Media, the book was scored 4.29 out of 5 stars, from three critic reviews.[7] In the September/October 2020 issue of Bookmarks, the book was scored four out of five stars. The magazine's critical summary quotes The New York Times: "gritty, thrilling reminder that small-town America has an underbelly, too."[8]
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