Tristan

Never having read the German Middle Ages “classic” Tristan, I can’t say as I’ve ever run across a fictional character in my reading by that name. Until the recent spate.

First there was Adam Mansbach’s The End of the Jews with not one but two Tristan’s. Both Jewish and both enamored of black culture (they are Grandfather and Grandson in Mansbach’s 2008 novel). This I just finished a few days ago. What do I read next? Well, listen to to be more accurate,,,,but the point is…..

Richard Price’s newest novel, Lush Life, has a street punk character by the name of – of all things – Tristan. Now this Tristan is really black, not just a wanna be. I find this extremely weird. But one of those reading peculiarities that crop up from time to time.