Title: Trapped
Author: Ted Bagley
Publisher: Matchstick Literary
ISBN: 9781645506614
Pages: 124
Genre: Modern Fiction
Reviewed by: Anita Lock
Hollywood Book Reviews
Darkness comes in a familiar form for a young man from the South Side Chicago in Trapped.
August James, aka AJ, knows what life is like living in the South Side of Chicago, and so do his parents. Although gang life is attractive, there is always a downside, and AJ is smart enough not to get involved yet lacks the initiative to go for better. Giving in to his parents’ wishes, AJ applies for college at Northwestern and gets in. He hopes he can slide through on his basketball talent to reach his two goals: make fast money and satisfy his dominating hormones to land a few hot women.
While holding on to Ashley, his long-time girlfriend, AJ works hard to keep up his suave in the hope of getting the attention of Reba, a sophisticated yet fine specimen of a woman who he can’t seem to get out of his mind. Instead, his swagger receives the attention of Faye, one of the hottest gals on the campus. The only problem is that she’s already hooked up with Shawn, her white boyfriend. Faye uses her feminine wiles to produce a kiss. Although the jarring incident leads to AJ and Reba’s friendship, it also haunts AJ in ways unimaginable.
Ted Bagley pulls all the stops in Trapped. His debut novel is laced with the lingo, imagery, nuances, and scenarios that continue to debilitate Black men, which keeps them locked into systematic racism. AJ, Bagley’s principal character and raconteur, exemplifies the voice of these Black men, especially men pitted in impoverished amid gang activity, who have chosen to embrace an escape route to prove manhood and their unique voice: the enticing macho lifestyle.
Bagley’s riveting writing style provides readers with a story that is both cliched and unanticipated. The well-paced plot contains a balanced mix of narration and dialogue. Bagley places his tightly-knit story within a handful of chapters that seamlessly flows from one to the next. Audiences would do well to focus on the big picture as chapters unfold with AJ’s tale. While replete with foul language and steamy salacious scenes, Trapped closes on a higher note.
Trapped serves a greater purpose than mere storytelling. Bagley closes with a message that, while Christian-based, offers insight into statistics that should leave readers unnerved and uncomfortable. Trapped is one story that hits too close to home for Black communities and an eye-opening read for White audiences.
Trapped—an unforgettable story of love, tragedy, and hope.