Victor LaValle
Victor LaValle is an American author known for his works of speculative fiction, horror, and literary fiction. His notable works include 'The Ballad of Black Tom' and 'The Changeling'. He has received several awards for his writing, including the World Fantasy Award and the Bram Stoker Award.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Changeling
The novel is a dark fairy tale that explores themes of parenthood, identity, and the impact of technology on modern life. It follows Apollo Kagwa, an antiquarian book dealer from New York City, whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Emma, commits a horrific act and then disappears. As Apollo searches for answers, he is drawn into a world filled with mythical creatures, secretive societies, and ancient folklore. Along his journey, he must confront his own past and the dark history of his family while navigating a city that seems to harbor magical secrets. The story blends the fantastical with the everyday to create a narrative that examines the fears and anxieties of being a parent in the 21st century.
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2. Lone Women
Set in the early 20th century, the story follows a woman named Adelaide who flees her troubled past in California to start anew as a homesteader in Montana. Carrying a mysterious, locked steamer trunk, Adelaide navigates the harsh realities of frontier life while grappling with secrets that threaten her fresh start. As she forms connections with other settlers, the novel explores themes of isolation, resilience, and the burdens of hidden truths, all against the backdrop of a rugged and unforgiving landscape.
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3. The Ballad Of Black Tom
The book reimagines the early 20th-century horror landscape by centering on a Black protagonist, Charles Thomas Tester, in 1920s Harlem. Tester, a street musician and hustler, becomes entangled in the dark and supernatural underbelly of New York City when he delivers an occult tome to a reclusive sorceress. His actions catch the attention of malevolent forces, leading to a series of events that expose the racial tensions and eldritch horrors lurking beneath the city's surface. As Tester's involvement with these arcane powers deepens, he is transformed in ways that challenge the very fabric of reality, culminating in a confrontation with otherworldly consequences. The narrative serves as both a critique of Lovecraftian racism and a compelling tale of cosmic horror and societal injustice.
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4. The Devil In Silver
In a gritty and unsettling narrative, the story follows Pepper, a man who finds himself involuntarily committed to a mental institution in Queens, New York, after a minor altercation with the police. As he navigates the eerie and oppressive environment of the hospital, Pepper encounters a diverse group of patients, each with their own struggles and stories. The institution is haunted by a mysterious creature, referred to as "the Devil," that terrorizes the residents at night. As Pepper and his fellow patients band together to confront this sinister presence, they uncover unsettling truths about the institution and themselves, blurring the lines between sanity and madness in a chilling exploration of fear, friendship, and resilience.
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5. Big Machine
In this gripping tale, a former heroin addict named Ricky Rice receives a mysterious letter summoning him to a secret society known as the "Unlikely Scholars." Tasked with investigating paranormal phenomena, Ricky embarks on a journey that intertwines his troubled past with a world of supernatural intrigue. As he delves deeper into the society's enigmatic mission, he confronts questions of faith, redemption, and the nature of belief, all while navigating a landscape where reality and the supernatural blur in unexpected ways.
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6. Favola Di New York
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this gripping tale weaves together elements of folklore, mystery, and the supernatural. It follows the journey of a young man who, after a tragic loss, finds himself entangled in a world where mythical creatures and dark secrets lurk beneath the city's bustling surface. As he navigates this hidden realm, he must confront his own fears and the haunting memories of his past, ultimately discovering the power of resilience and the enduring strength of human connection.
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7. Ballada O Czarnym Tomie
A Black Tom Story
Set in a richly imagined world that blends elements of folklore and contemporary life, this gripping tale follows the journey of a young man who discovers a mysterious book that holds the key to a hidden realm. As he delves deeper into its secrets, he finds himself entangled in a web of magic, danger, and ancient rivalries. With each page turned, he uncovers truths about his own past and the dark forces that threaten to unravel the fabric of reality. This story weaves together themes of identity, power, and the enduring struggle between light and darkness.
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8. Odmieniec
A Fairy Tale
Set against the backdrop of a vibrant yet eerie New York City, the story follows a young man who finds himself entangled in a web of supernatural occurrences and personal dilemmas. As he navigates the complexities of his own identity and the mysterious forces at play, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters who challenge his perceptions of reality and morality. The narrative weaves elements of horror, folklore, and social commentary, creating a rich tapestry that explores themes of belonging, transformation, and the unseen connections that bind us all.
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9. A People's Future Of The United States
A diverse collection of speculative short fiction imagining alternative futures for the United States, written by an array of established and emerging writers from marginalized communities; the stories confront racism, immigration, climate crisis, capitalism, surveillance, and resilience, blending realism and fantastical elements to challenge national myths and propose radical, often hopeful visions grounded in collective care, resistance, and social transformation.