Book Review: Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana features eight interconnected stories revolving around the residents of a low-income high-rise residential building in Harlem. The ownership of Banneker Terrace has recently changed hands. With gentrification knocking on the door, the new owners intend to renovate the units hoping to attract a new crowd. As the rents are slated to rise, the existing tenants struggle to keep up with payments or face having to relocate to smaller units. Those who are behind on their rent are being served eviction notices.

The first story, “Rent Manual”, revolves around a single mother, Mimi, who juggles two jobs to make rent and care for her little boy whose father, Swan resides in another unit in the building. In another story, “The Okiedoke”, Swan celebrates the release of his friend from jail but finds himself in a dilemma when the celebration involves swindling another person. Swan’s mother “Ms.Dallas” also holds two jobs – as a paraprofessional in a local school and as security at the airport. We meet the children attending the school, which is facing threats of closure, among whom are Kandese (“The Young Entrepreneurs of Miss Bristol’s Porch”) a girl who loses her home and then her father and has to move in with a relative. Another student and street dancer Najee(“Lite Feet”) is dealing with his guilt over the accidental death of a close friend and pens a letter writes a letter to his late friend’s mother. “Camaraderie” features aspiring hairstylist, Dary, who once worked with Mimi but now is forced to resort to other means to supplement his income. “Tumble” revolves around Neisha, a college dropout who once dreamt of becoming a gymnast. She now works with Emeraldine Heard for the Banneker Terrace Committee of Concern, an association of the women from the building who try to assist those facing eviction. The final story, “Federation for the Like-Minded” sees several tenants band together in support of the elderly Mr. Murray, who is constantly harassed by the police for playing chess on the sidewalks nearby.

Gentrification, homelessness, poverty, inequality and injustice, hope and hopelessness, family and community- the author touches on several themes in this collection of stories that are intense and heart wrenching . The stories are told using a range of styles and narrative forms– third-person omniscient narrative, a story in the form of a single letter written by a child, as well as first-person accounts. Every one of these distinctive characters comes across as real as do their struggles, their dreams and aspirations both attainable but out of reach, and the hopes they harbor. The tone and language used are commensurate with the character(s) in question, which makes each of these voices distinct and authentic. As a debut, this collection is beyond impressive. This is a powerful read, to say the least. Sidik Fofana is a masterful storyteller and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author in the future.