Title: Black and White
Author: Ben Burgess Jr
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
When the prestigious law firm of Wayne, Rothstein, and Lincoln catches two major cases—a rape case where a White NBA star allegedly raped a Black stripper, and a murder case where a Black rapper allegedly killed a gay couple and two policemen—Bill O’Neil and Ben Turner are tasked to handle these racially charged litigations. The cases hit emotional chords with the two lawyers and force them to reckon with their interracial relationships and families. Will the racial tension of their cases destroy them or make them stronger?
“Black and White” won the Literary Titan Book Award.
As a lawyer, I’m always intrigued when I can read books that take place in law firms or deal with the law, and Black and White fits that bill perfectly. Wayne, Rothstein and Lincoln, a prestigious law firm, is tasked to deal with two racially charged litigations in two major cases. The first case involves a white NBA star allegedly raping a black stripped. The second case involves a black ripper allegely killing a gay couple and two policemen.
Bill O’Neil and Ben Turner are two young attorneys tasked to handle these cases, which hit emotional chords with both of them. The cases are nearly impossible to win, and they will also make them question their own morals and integrity, and their relationships with others. They must also overcome their own stereotyping, and the stereotyping done by just about everyone around them, if they want to win these cases.
The story is a gritty, raw, realistic tale of injustice, of racism, of how cruel the world can be even when we believe (or try to believe) the world is fair or we act fairly. The writing is excellent, and the story pulls you in from page on. The tension is extremely high, and you can’t help but reflect yourself in the characters, relate their views to your own and learn some startling truths about yourself and the world around you.
[…] Black & White by Ben Burgess Jr […]