By Robert McElligott
Platitudes, by Trey Ellis, is a daunting novel to review; finding the words to describe a body of work so important and meaningful is not an easy charge. Platitudes is the embodiment of a post-modern novel, both in form and function; it features dual narratives perforated by pictures, an aptitude test, a restaurant menu, etc., and the novel’s function is almost too complex to epitomize here. Regardless, the novel reaches almost unfathomable depths in respect to literature and social politics; Ellis deconstructs many popular notions, like machismo and “authentic blackness,” that are so embedded in American culture.
The novel’s function may be somewhat confrontational but the novel itself is not; Ellis created something so light-hearted and humorous it almost demands affection. The story is split between two narratives; one narrative is a story-in-progress about poor, pubescent Earle Tyner and his quest for love and manhood. The second narrative is of the writer of Earle’s story, Dewayne Wellington, and his troubles with writing about Earle.
The novel deals heavily with what it means to be both African and American; Ellis pits stereotype vs. anti-stereotype to reveal how damaging the idea of “authentic blackness” can be to African-American culture. The novel accomplishes so much with two parallel narratives, but, remarkably, it remains very accessible to most anyone.
The novels accessibility can be attributed to Ellis’ style of writing; it’s so smooth and fluid the reader can breeze through half the novel without realizing it. Beyond the style, the story of Earle is fiercely humorous; there is nothing quite as awkward or comical as a boy going through puberty, and Ellis gives us front row seats to the gritty humanity of Earle Tyner’s inner most thoughts as he tries pick up girls out his league, out of his sport even. But the novel isn’t all comical anguish; the ending is warm and loving, providing the answers to all the social problems it approaches.
All things considered, Platitudes is an interesting, fun-loving novel that is worth reading at least twice.