Onyx reviews: The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos

Reviewed by Bev Vincent, 06/30/2018

In the vernacular of certain denizens of Washington, D.C., "coming uptown" means getting released from jail and returning to the old neighborhood. The word "uptown" sounds highbrow, even when the place they go back to isn't, but it's better than where they've been. It's home.

The man who comes uptown in the new novel by George Pelecanos is Michael Hudson. At the beginning of the story, Hudson is in jail awaiting trial for robbing someone. While incarcerated, he avails himself of the book-lending service overseen by Anna Kaplan Byrne, the mobile librarian for the jail. She gets books cleared by the prison censors, hand-selects books for each inmate, and introduces Hudson to a number of novels and authors she thinks he'll enjoy.

Thanks to some less-than ethical actions by private detective Phil Ornazian on behalf of Hudson's lawyer, the charges against Hudson are dropped and he comes uptown, living with his mother. He continues seeking out new things to read, starts building a modest library in his old room, and finds a job washing dishes at a pizza restaurant. He crosses paths with Anna again, and they strike up a tentative friendship. Anna is married, though, so their relationship is awkward, especially when her husband Rick is around and most especially when Hudson starts showing up near her house.

Most of Ornazian's PI work involves gathering evidence for defense lawyers to take into court. He rarely works for prosecutors. He is a morally and ethically conflicted individual who has allowed some lines to blur. When his legit business isn't flourishing, he and a buddy like to rip off criminals, especially those who've gotten away with their crimes. Sometimes his intentions are admirable—he likes to help women who are in the grips of thugs (characters who would be at home on The Deuce, the HBO series for which Pelecanos writes)—but he denies any altruistic motivation. It's all about paying the rent, he claims. He may seem like a stereotypical bad-good guy with a heart of gold, but his feelings are genuine. He has a hero complex and a burning need to dive into the action that is bound to get him in trouble one day.

Although Hudson is trying hard to stay straight now that he's out of jail—he lives in the shadow of successful older siblings and his supportive mother tries her best to not let her disappointment in his squandered potential show—he owes Ornazian a favor and the shady detective comes calling before long. Hudson has a reputation for being a good driver, and Ornazian needs someone who can get them away from the scenes of their crimes quickly. Hudson has little choice but to comply. Although the charges against him were dropped, the intimidated witness could be encouraged to testify again.

There are certain things readers expect from a Pelecanos novel, and they are all here: behind-the-scenes looks at the food service industry, fast muscle cars, a deep dive into eclectic music (Ornazian was in a band in high school and loves loud music), and an insider's knowledge of D.C., Maryland and Virginia neighborhoods.

In addition to these, The Man Who Came Uptown is a paean to novels. Pelecanos has a long history with inmate literacy programs, and he is clear about the power of reading, especially for the incarcerated. As Hudson discovers new books and authors, Pelecanos enters his mind to experience the joy of discovery as he puts the pieces together and really gets what each novel is about. When he's in jail, or when he's in a dead-end job living a life without many prospects, he's not locked up or trapped. Books take him outside of his troubled mind.

The Man Who Came Uptown is the story of a pivotal moment when one man is tugged in two directions—coerced to return to a life of crime by a man who begins (perhaps too late) to realize how far he has strayed while simultaneously seduced by words and stories. It's no wonder Hudson is smitten with Anna: she has introduced him to new worlds that show him that his life can be better—if he can resist temptation.