logo

58 pages 1 hour read

Black Buck

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Mateo Askaripour

Black Buck

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 2010s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour follows Darren Vender, a young Black man, who transitions from a Starbucks manager to a successful salesman at Sumwun, a remote therapy service. Through his journey, Darren grapples with racism in corporate America and creates the Happy Campers organization to empower people of color, ultimately facing legal and personal challenges. The novel addresses instances of racism, police involvement, and personal loss.

Humorous

Challenging

Inspirational

Emotional

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.0

30,678 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Mateo Askaripour's Black Buck is praised for its witty and satirical take on corporate America and race dynamics. Readers appreciate its engaging narrative and insightful commentary, though some find the humor overdone and characters stereotyped. Overall, it's celebrated for provoking thoughtful discussions on ambition and identity, despite occasional critiques of predictability.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black Buck?

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour will captivate readers who enjoy contemporary, satirical takes on race and corporate culture. Fans of books like An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and The Sellout by Paul Beatty, which blend sharp social critique with engaging narrative, will find this novel appealing.

4.0

30,678 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Darren Vender ("Buck")

The protagonist who starts as a Starbucks manager in Brooklyn and undergoes a transformative journey in the tech industry, facing challenges related to identity, community, and ambition.

Darren's mother, a hardworking woman whose death marks a turning point in Darren's life, inspiring him to seek opportunities and rediscover personal values.

Darren's girlfriend and childhood friend; she supports his ambitions but criticizes how his job at Sumwun changes him, always calling him "D" instead of "Buck."

Darren's closest childhood friend, who has chosen a different path in life as a street-level drug dealer and becomes estranged from Darren due to their differing lifestyles.

Longtime tenant in Mrs. Vender’s home and a grandfather figure to Darren, known for his gardening skills and wisdom.

An insightful neighborhood fixture in Bed-Stuy who shares wisdom and keeps tabs on the local happenings without leaving the area.

A former Starbucks employee and aspiring salesperson who seeks Darren’s guidance to succeed in his dream career of sales.

A friend of Brian’s who impresses Darren with her sales potential and becomes involved in the Happy Campers initiative.

A member of the "Talented Fifth," he highlights the importance of sharing knowledge for the empowerment of others.

Intriguingly gender-fluid member of the "Talented Fifth," who challenges Darren’s preconceived notions about identity.

The host of a morning talk show who interviews Darren and becomes his ally in navigating media exposure.

Grandson of Mr. Rawlings, who influences the course of events due to his personal vendetta against Darren.

Director of sales at Sumwun who opposes Darren and later establishes a competing organization to challenge Darren’s Happy Campers.

Cofounder and CEO of Sumwun who offers Darren his initial opportunity at the company and acts as his mentor.

A successful entrepreneur and important client for Darren, representing a particular model of entrepreneurial success.

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 2010s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.