The story centres on Darren Vender, also known as Buck. He's a black guy who works in a coffee shop until he manages to impress a startup CEO and create the opportunity that he has been waiting for to show his potential. What follows is a rollercoaster ride where he works his way through a predominantly white corporate environment, loses himself, forgets where he came from, and alienates the people who matter most.

I say rollercoaster because the story does chuck you around a fair bit. I wasn't convinced by every twist and turn in the plot, particularly the speed at which the protagonist achieves his success and develops his business acumen. He almost seems to have an implausible ability to hyptonise clients. Also, at one point a character is locked up for a murder that they didn't commit and then we never hear anything more about it. So yeah, fast-moving.

The story deals with racism, affirmative action and the question of what responsibility we have to pass on what we know and create opportunities for one another. As the novel draws to its conclusion, one feels rather beaten over the head with these ideas, but definitely worth a read.

"Most superheroes don't know they're superheroes until they get caught up in a moment, just like you. Something either overcomes them, showing them a glimpse of their hidden powers, or they're pushed so far past their limitations that they have no choice by to succumb to whatever makes them special."

"Life, like sales, comes with an endless amount of opportunities to do the wrong thing to win."

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What if Tyler Durden had been black instead of spreading mayhem he had been trying to teach selling skills to ambitious POC?  That's Black Buck.  

The titular character, Darren AKA Buck goes from rags to riches by making two key sales in his career. One morning, he upsells a yuppy white a**hole an alternative caffeine vehicle at his Starbucks job and suddenly he's thrust into a new career and ultimately new life. Initially, he is throttled by the impudence of a team of white sales robots who underestimate and belittle him because he is black. But over time, he begins to drink the sales Kool-Aid... and believe me, if you've ever worked in a high pressure sales organization, Askaripour nails the character of the over-driven sales douche to a T.  He also accurately satirizes start-up culture with little nuance and it's amazing. Buck's second major sale comes at a vital time for the company and it thrusts him into the stratosphere of money and fame. After many accusations of becoming an Uncle Tom, he finds himself reluctantly shepherding other smart, ambitious POC on how to get what they want out of life trying to prove that being successful has nothing to do with race.

Along the journey you will grit your teeth with anger over the injustice both upon Buck and perpetrated by him. You will laugh and roll your eyes at the absurdity of the situations he finds himself in and those he puts others in. You will flush in shame as Buck forgets who he is, where he's come from and who got him there; but you just might swell with pride at Buck's evolution by the end... or will you?

I applaud Mateo Askaripour for his story-telling. He is a talented writer. Although Black Buck was not my cup of tea, Askaripour told an entertaining story that was a fairly quick read. There was a lot to unpack; almost too much with all the twists and turns that take our protagonist on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Its satirical edge kept me turning the pages and I appreciated the political relevance during these times. This was not a book I would have typically chosen, but I appreciated the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone to read something different. If dark humor and satire are your thing, you'll enjoy Black Buck. Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the advance copy.

BLACK BUCK REVIEW

Here’s the chance to experience the black world of dreams and experiences from a view that you’ve never had before. Mateo Askaripour, a man who loves to write and isn’t loathe to expressing his blackness in terms that are raw and outrageous, will introduce you to an experience that might shock you but that will not go away without a struggle. In “Black Buck,” Askaripour will assault your senses with similes that are only acceptable in a diverse world from one side only. Satire is abundant and jolting to us who don’t have the black experience to muffle it. If you can relax, you’ll find it quite enjoyable and eye-opening.

In “Black Buck,” a young man finds himself in a world of an elite sales force where he is the only Black and where he becomes ruthless, ascending to the top levels of competence where he enjoys a good life and an influence he never before experienced. Unfortunately, he becomes unrecognizable to his family and friends and, in an effort to reestablish himself, he develops a plan to infiltrate the sales force with young people of color. The game changes in explosive events that explore ambition and race and the American dream. And “Buck,” as he is now known, becomes an even more powerful figure and voice in diversity. His controversial outlook and decisions now have powerful effects on his family and friends.

Written as a sales manual, little hints at gaining knowledge in the art of persuasion are scattered throughout the book, some that are startling in their perspective. The storyline is different, the dialogue crackles with wit and sarcasm, the ending is somewhat obscure yet satisfying. You’ll probably find the book different from your usual fare, but I think you’ll embrace it as worthwhile and illuminating.

Schuyler T Wallace
Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

This is a very timely and relevant story about race relations and courage in the workplace. Mateo Askaripour has given us a page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The main character, Darren, takes us on an emotional roller coaster as he defines what ambition really means. Darren as his alias "Buck" makes us care about characters we would not normally respect. There are some satirical moments which make you cringe, but overall, the story is highly enjoyable. Seeing the workplace through "Buck's" eyes gives you a real-life account of what truly goes on behind closed doors in the corporate world. This is one story you will remember long after the last page.

Thank you so much to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sending me an advanced copy and allowing me to review on NetGalley as well.

Think the black version of Wolf of Wall Street. That is how this one has been presented and it was amazing. I felt like it was a quick read, but I also felt like I kept turning pages and pages. Definitely no complaints here.

“Buck” moves from a Starbucks manager to the only black salesman at Sumwun. His dreams of earning more money, making a name for himself, and getting his mom out of work at the bleach factory are what drives the next decisions that he makes.

This was full of twists and turns and ups and downs every few pages. I loved how about halfway through there was the first huge dilemma. Then another catastrophe. Then an atomic bomb. There were so many different climaxes and problems but it all worked so well for this story. It was very fast paced and it kept me on my toes. I had to read every word because I didn’t want to miss any of the action.

I love how this book also sheds light on the racial issues that we are facing today. There were times that my jaw dropped as I thought “did that really just happen?” This was real and raw and in many ways just like Wolf of Wall Street. However all Buck wants is the minorities to get their shot that society does not allow. I can’t say that I was a fan of Buck though for about 80% of the story. Not the writing, but just things that he did as a character in the story.

10 out of 10 by far. If you like quick paced, drama filled, office staff foolery then you will love this one.

We watch as Daren go from a barista to a sales virtuoso, rubbing elbows with big money men. Although the writing was decent and the premise held up, It was definitely not my cup of coffee. I had a hard to finishing this novel.

In”BlackBuck” by Mateo Askaripour we watch the evolution of Darren “Buck” Vender from Starbucks Barista to a sales guru who not only closes a deal with a major Venture Capitalists but attracts a cult following for his sales acumen.

In the opening we are introduced to Darren’s life in New York’s Bed Sty. Little has changed in his life since high school This life is safe and familiar. He lives with his Mom, has the same girlfriend since middle school and the people he surrounds himself with are those he has grown up with in the neighborhood. The novel mentions “The potential for failure more than failure itself that stops so many people from being anything.“ This perhaps explains why he chose not to do more with his life though valedictorian of his high school class, A chance meeting with a customer at Starbucks who recognizes his potential sets Buck’s life of a new trajectory.

Bucks journey into the world of sales was exciting to follow. The line between novel and ‘How to Guide‘ for success in the business world were blurred. I enjoyed this mix. I felt Buck’s journey, though fictional, was rooted in the real experience of people of color navigating corporate environments.

Both major and minor characters in the novel were well developed and three dimensional. Rhett, Bucks mentor, is an example of a character who I found it hard to categorize as simply good or bad. Though his reasons for helping Buck were self serving, I felt he had a genuine kinship with Buck and wanted him to succeed. Even Clyde’s role as the villain in the novel could not be reduced to that of someone who was simply evil as we learned more about him through the progression of the novel.

From the opening, I felt the book was fast paced and easy to follow. There were funny moments and difficult moments that where race and class in the workplace collide. This novel is a perfect vehicle to open a discussion of race and class.

The people, places and things are well described in the novel. I didn’t feel it was excessive or caused the story to drag. The vivid description helped to transport me as the reader into the story.

Seeing Buck’s transition to someone in pursuit of his own self interest to someone reaching out to uplift others was inspiring. Buck’s speech at the conference summarized it perfectly, we are all wounded children looking for support and encouragement toward a dream.

Though the ending wasn’t what I expected, I loved this book. It tackles the difficult topic of navigating the corporate world for people of color with humor and grace. The timing of this novel is perfect as the world awakens to the injustice and micro aggressions encountered by people of color in both personal and professional spaces.
I recommend this book to anyone, regardless of color as it is the perfect intersection on entertainment and teachable moments.

This book is not at all what I expected. I am not the right audience for it. I suspect many will like this book very much.

I seriously loved this book! I may be a random white chick, but I loved and identified with this story. There hasn’t been a better time to have a story like this. The racial reckoning is happening and the story is perfect for right now. The story was so well written and I loved the characters. I actually sobbed when Ma died! I’m so excited to see more from this author!

WOW! I think the book was well written and very captivating. Darren graduated as valedictorian of his high school. He's 22 years old and lives with his mother in New York working as a Starbuck Barista. He is given the opportunity to work as a Salesman in a new upcoming Company. His journey touches on Racism, Cooperate Greed and White Privilege. It really opened up my eyes to see what a person of color might face or experience at work. With that said I thought it was very amusing. I will definitely recommend. Well Done!!
I was given an ARC for my honest review..


Thank You NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Mateo Askaripour: Black Buck

Darren is a young black man living in Bed-Stuy with his mom and surrogate grandfather, working at Starbucks after having graduated valedictorian of his high-school, and dating the girl (of color) he's known since middle school. But then Rhett Daniels, hotshot co-founder of the mysterious company on some upper floor of the building, walks into Starbucks and Darren does *not* give him the usual.

Next thing you know, Darren is learning sales at this crazy startup where everyone is all white, and while Darren's career takes off, his life goes down the toilet, only to rise again in the second half of the book, in a new direction.

I most enjoyed the first half of the story, with Darren's adventures at "Sumwun," despite most of the white characters being rather flat and verging on caricature (Clyde and Frodo and the Duchess). The second half of the book added another boatload of characters, these ones all over the various fashionable spectrum, as if the author were trying to complete a very long checklist of inclusivity.

Sometimes you just wanted to knock Darren over the head for his bad choices, and sometimes you just wanted to yell, "Jane, get me off this crazy thing!" for the roller-coaster plot, but all in all it was a worthwhile, sometimes funny read that captured a new perspective.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

“Black Buck” is a rags to riches story about Darren, an African-American man in his early twenties who lives in a brownstone in Bed-Stuy with his mother and Mr. Rawlings, an elderly tenant who lives on the garden level of the brownstone. I enjoyed the first 25% of this book, which dealt with Darren’s life living with his mother, whom he adored, working as a supervisor at a Starbuck’s in Manhattan, and spending time with his girlfriend, mother and Mr. Rawlings at the Bed-Stuy brownstone. The Darren depicted in the early part of the book was compassionate to family, friends and co-workers and comfortable with his life.

However, when Darren meets Rhett, a Starbuck’s customer, who offers him a job at a startup company called “Sumwun”, the writing and characterizations seemed to deteriorate. I assume this portion of the book was intended to be what is described in the blurb as “satirical,” but I failed to appreciate this nature of the book. Instead, the characters were one-dimensional caricatures of privileged white racists.
Moreover, after working with the company for three months, Darren’s personality undergoes a complete 180 and he becomes a totally different person: self-absorbed, disrespectful, angry and arrogant, alienating all his former friends, including his girlfriend.

Although it’s possible Darren might have redeemed himself by the end of the book, I gave up at the 60% point because I no longer enjoyed the writing or the main character. Perhaps someone who understands the culture of startup companies might have better appreciated the satirical aspects of the story, unfortunately I did not. As a result, the story and the writing fell flat.

At first I thought this was a modern day sales guide, curious to see where it goes the writing got me hooked right away. It was like hearing advice from your cool older brother. Well the story keeps going, and turns into a real rollercoaster of a ride. Definitely went to some unexpected places and I have to say, I liked it. Best way to describe this book is a tamer, more political wolf of wall street, and I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy that story!

You know how when you're reading a book, the story is so vivid and engaging you just KNOW some exec at Netflix or HBO will snatch it up and turn it into a series or movie? Black Buck was totally one of those books for me. It's the story of Darren, a smart young African American man who lives with his loving Mom =who sees her class valedictorian son squandering his career potential. He's perfectly content to manage a Manhattan Starbucks (though he personally eschews coffee) until an encounter with one of his corporate regulars changes the course of his career, and ultimately - who he is as a person. As he rises the corporate ladder as a wunderkind sales phenom, his life changes as the former barista trades a simpler life for a fast life of trendy restaurants, expensive wardrobes, posh nightclubs....I definitely see the comparisons to Wolf of Wall Street. Ever present in the background is an undercurrent of racial divide in the corporate world, which eventually boils over into the forefront of the story when it takes some twists and turns, with some scenarios I would have found unbelievable (until 2020). Buck takes a hard fall back down to reality - and reinvents himself again but this time to use his selling powers for good, teaching his skills to struggling people of color who want to change their lives by landing lucrative sales jobs. He becomes like the Pied Piper of Bed-Stuy as his group of proteges swells to hundreds into the thousands. And then, in a jaw-dropping, didn't-see-that-coming moment, ghosts of his past return to literally burn down his empire. There's so much more I want to say but I don't want to give away any spoilers... just READ THIS BOOK. If I have even a fraction of Buck's selling abilities (he interrupts passages in the book sporadically to speak directly to us, the reader with little tips on being a better salesperson), I hope I've persuaded you to give it a try. I hope this book gets the shine it deserves. I can't wait to see what Mateo Askaripour does next!

This completely reminded me of a modern day Office Space but not as engaging as that movie was.

While this had some good moments, overall, I don't think I was the target audience for this book. I will say it was well written, so I would read more from Mateo Askaripour, but the story just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you so much to #netgalley and HMN for the arc!

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour is The Wolf of Wall Street for salespeople. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you want to punch someone in the face, or it will inspire you to pick up the phone and call your prospects. Whatever your goal, the main reason why I chose this book is I wanted a subject that will teach me about sales written as a story instead of a self-help book. It is quite a unique writing style. You'll find reader-notes that the author wanted to spotlight. These are the vital lessons you need to highlight from the book and take with you once you are back in the jungle, wearing your vest, carrying your bow and arrow, and start hunting.

Whether we are aware of it or not, every one of us is a salesperson. We all became salespeople when we apply for jobs, credit cards, colleges, loans. We became salespeople when we are acquiring new friendships, pleasing our family, friends, colleagues, community, looking for romantic relationships, or for someone to marry. That is why it matters to learn these sales techniques because every day we are negotiating. Every day we are making a deal.

The author asked three things before I read the book: first is to keep an open mind. The second is that it is not for everybody. As the cliche goes, we can't please everybody. The third is to say an affirmation statement and clap my hands. Every day we are indeed negotiating without being mindful about it while the clapping helps bring up some positive vibes.

Reading the novel reminds me of worship that I attended in a huge stadium where the evangelist talks with such passion, eyes closed, hands raised in jubilance, shouting "In Jesus name. Amen." repeatedly. Except, this one happens in a war room on the 36th floor in 3 Park Avenue building (where the book's publisher is also holding office) in New York City.

Yes, I am a salesperson. The main reason why I appreciated how the author presented the book chapters by using sales terminologies such as prospecting, qualifying, discovery, demonstrations, and closing. The story of my life.

Ah yes, the "anatomy of a cold call"—intro, rapport, discovery, presentation, objection handling, qualification, and handoff. Sometimes it doesn't have to be in this order though each step is vital in filling up the funnel with qualified leads.

At first, I am disheartened at the protagonist's, Darren Vender a.k.a Buck, ambivalence when Rhett offered him a job. He is one of those people who will wait for the right opportunity to come instead of taking the bull by its horn and chasing his own dreams. Why do I not like this attitude that the character had initially in the story? That is because I do not have the luxury, the privilege, nor the trappings of success just like he had when someone had offered him a job owing to his sudden bout of courage. Just like him, I have the odds stacked against me except that he has someone offering him a job while I have to go after a job. I cannot afford to wait for someone to notice me. I have to find a way to get myself noticed. It takes double the effort to get where I need to be. One thing I know is for sure, with drive and persistence, I will get there. I will not think of myself as a victim of a system or institution which I have no control over. I will focus on the things I can control, like how I spend my time.

This book is for the underdogs. May it bring us enough inspiration and joy to reach our hopes and dreams in life.

"I had never let anyone speak like that to me before, and while I don't want to let it fly, I knew that it was all a part of the game that real men were judged by how much they could withstand." - Darren Vender

I want to express my profound appreciation to NetGalley, publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and author Mateo Askaripour for providing a digital copy of this book that allows me to write an honest and unbiased review. Thank you for giving me a silver lining during this trying time. It's nice to be seen.

I sadly think this was not made for me. The target audience seems to be way off my scope which is why it is hard to rate this one. I appreciate the writing style and I could see what the author was trying to do but it just didn't click with my style at all which made me DNF this book.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I've actually seen Sorry to Bother You and to say it was ...interesting would be an understatement.

This book most certainly would be along those same lines.

Darren lives in a Bed-Stuy Brownstone with his mother. He's 22, a shift-manager at Starbucks, and is waiting the perfect job "opportunity". What that "opportunity" happens to be, he isn't exactly sure, but he figures he'll know it when he sees it.

Until then, he's content to have fun and not embroil himself into anything so serious it'll take him away from time with his girlfriend, Soraya.

However, after making a major impression on a Starbuck's regular named Rhett, he finds himself in a sales position at a tech start-up called Sumwon; a place where he quickly realizes two things 1) he's the only minority and 2) everyone in the office, from the secretary to the sales manager, is a bit racist (either maliciously or out of ignorance).

Darren soon morphs into "Buck" and is sent through a rigorous training session. One where it's made clear not everyone was on-board with his hire--Sales Manager Clyde is not a fan and makes it his mission to make sure Darren fails and is never given the chance to be anything more than a footnote.

Clyde nearly gets his wish but Darren, with encouragement from Rhett and the urgings of those in his inner circle, pushes on and manages to land a spot at Sumwon.

From there, the book goes on one of the wildest, most unlikely of rides: hitting on everything from the gentrification of predominantly Black neighborhoods, to the tokenism of corporate America, to the racism of the tech world, to the lack of genuine career opportunities for young, Black men, to the precarious place of our elders in a world that would just as soon let them die as to care for them or allow them the chance to survive without putting their own health and well-being at risk.

Honestly, there was so much to process, it sometimes felt as though Askaripour was taking on too much and doing too much: by the end I was a bit lost as to how things devolved into mad cap craziness so quickly: at one point there's a kidnapping plot.

I kid you not.

However, as I said from the start, if you've ever seen Sorry to Bother You, you'll be well on your way to accepting whatever madness Askaripour throws your way because the tenor of this story has a lot in common with the satirical nature of that particular movie.

Even so, it does begin to be a bit much and, at a little beyond the halfway mark I was ready for it to come to a close; it simply became too much of a good thing and I was exhausted reading it; and that ending? Not a fan.

Otherwise, there are plenty of discussion points to be had and the majority of the book is more than entertaining--even while the truths being pointing out are making you mad as hell.

Thanks to NetGalley for this Advanced e-Galley. Opinion is my own.

This was a very prescient time to choose to read this book.
The story follows Darren, aka Buck, on his journey from Starbucks barista to salesperson extraordinaire. However, he is approaching the situation from a standpoint of a Black man in New York City, in a world that is inhospitable in many ways to people of color. I absolutely loved the way that he wrote the experience of this character. I am unsure if parts of if were satire, but unfortunately I can see many of the things that happened to Buck as being possible in the political climate we find ourselves. It was very eye-opening to see the types of things that could happen to someone merely because of the color of their skin.
It was very compellingly written and I thought it was a great way to approach the subject matter. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction!