Fred Blount signs his new novel Aug. 19
By Chris King
Of the St. Louis American
Fred Blount dropped off a copy of the manuscript for his novel Up from the Pit at the American some months ago, then came back to discuss it. Up from the Pit is a coming-of-age story, based to a large extent upon Blount’s youth in Carr Square Village and the city’s West End and his matriculation at Lincoln University, the historically black school in Jefferson City.
The novel shows a talent for characterization and bringing scenes alive. It depicts ghetto life in its camaraderie, frustrations, boredom, danger and yearning. It’s a novel that anyone who grew up on the North Side, or who wonders what it would be like to grow up on the North Side, might want to spend some time reading.
It also has a steady stream of good, old-fashioned lovin’. I mentioned this to Blount, as we discussed his manuscript. He flashed a marvelous smile.
“The ladies love that stuff,” he said. “And people are doing it. That is one thing poor people can do to enjoy themselves. Right now, not two blocks from this office, people are doing it.”
In terms of literary criticism, Up from the Pit is a bildungsroman (a German word for “novel of education”), in that it follows a main character, Derrick, from youth to maturity and unfolds his development as a man. Though Derrick, like Blount, starts in North City and ends up at Lincoln, Blount said his main character is not a stand-in for the author, but rather a synthesis of various black men he has known, including himself.
Blount said the same of Derrick’s buddy, Rico, who stays on the block. Rico falls prey to the typical range of ghetto vices, though fatherhood ushers in a maturation process for him akin to what university does for his buddy Derrick.
There is a socio-historical backdrop to the action, which readers who were there (or wish they had been) will find interesting, and which momentarily expands the scope of the novel outside of a few lives in North St. Louis. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and other major black figures from the sixties all cast their gigantic shadows on Up from the Pit.
But it’s the summertime, the revolution seems to be on-hold, and school is not back yet, so let’s take a moment to enjoy Blount’s efforts as a novelist of lovin’. Derrick is taking a local girl, Melody, into “the open-air hotel for many young lovers” that was (and is) Forest Park.
They parked near the Opera House and made their way up the hill behind it. Derrick assisted Melody through the maze of branches and limbs. Herein was a fertile grassy area. The foliage provided perfect concealment.
“Mr. Crane, you amaze me! How did you find this grassy blanket? I have passed this area many times.”
“We used to hide our bikes up here.” Derrick then joined Melody on the ground.
“How many women you had up here, Mr. Crane?”
“Only you.” Derrick began clearing pine needles that were scattered on the ground.
After Derrick had prepared their lust nest, he resumed his assault. He was somewhat taken aback when melody started coming out of her jeans. It did not take Derrick long to get into the act. Their semi-nude bodies met in the darkness.
I don’t want to trivialize Fred Blount’s novel, which is a serious exploration of the themes of education, community and survival in the context of black St. Louis. But for those who like a little sugar in their coffee, I did want to show you that Up from the Pit delivers on some sugar.
Fred Blount will read from and sign his new novel Up from the Pit from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, August 19 at Legacy Books & Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd. Call (314) 862-4226. Blount may be reached at (314) 662-6970 to arrange readings or sales.
