Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is a gruesome and emotional story about two fathers trying to avenge the death of their gay sons.In his novel, Cosby introduces us to Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins, both grieving about the murder of their sons, who were happily married but fell victim to the dangers of being involved with the wrong people.
Both having a criminal history, Ike and Buddy Lee evolve from their stage of awkwardness to becoming partners in crime after Buddy Lee offers to take the initiative in finding the ones who murdered their sons, Isiah and Derek, to which Ike is first reluctant but then agrees.
Along with finding the murderers, Cosby shows the personal battles Ike and Buddy Lee try to overcome, trying to come to terms with the fact that their sons are no longer alive. Through the thoughts and internal battles of Ike and Buddy Lee, Cosby provides insight into the incredibly deep divide the fathers feel between loving their late sons and disapproving of their sexuality. By taking the initiative, Ike and Buddy Lee prove to their late sons that they will love them no matter what, despite having been against their sons’ relationship while they were alive.
Cosby establishes a parallel within the novel, which is significant to the plot and adds a layer of suspense to the already somber plot. This parallel is the alternating chapters between Ike and Buddy Lee’s journey and the killer, giving the reader insight into the killers and their plan to find Tangerine, a young woman who knows about the murders of Isiah and Derek. Tangerine becomes the binding factor between Ike and Buddy Lee and the killer, Grayson.
While Ike and Buddy Lee are trying to find the killers, the reader is a step ahead, as Cosby makes sure the readers know about Grayson’s “clubhouse.” The “clubhouse” refers to Grayson’s biker gang. Grayson is a truly menacing character, as he instills fear in everyone around him; Grayson idolizes brutality, violence, and fear, establishing a sense of superiority amongst the gang.
The ending of the novel hangs heavily on the heart, as the grieving fathers risk their lives to prove themselves worthy of their sons’ love and forgiveness, hoping that Isiah and Derek are high above, watching their fathers make up for all the years lost to arguing and misunderstanding.
I have noticed that, for the most part, the books I read tend to tie into the idea of family and the harsh realities that come with it. This book especially, being realistic fiction, shows both an inside and outside perspective of failed familial relationships, misunderstanding, and loss. With all the harsh realities, comes the change in perspective life forces upon everyone.
