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.

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.

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

- Black Buck was inspired by Mateo Askaripour's own experiences navigating the predominantly white corporate landscape, notably in the tech startup world.
- The novel features humorous satirical elements, allowing it to tackle serious social issues like racial dynamics in the workplace with a unique blend of comedy and critique.
- Black Buck was selected as the Read with Jenna book club pick on the Today Show for January 2021, boosting its popularity and bringing it into the national spotlight.

**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.  
  
**Ma/Mrs. Vender**  
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.  
  
**Soraya Aziz**  
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."  
  
**Jason Morris**  
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.  
  
**Mr. Percy Rawlings**  
Longtime tenant in Mrs. Vender’s home and a grandfather figure to Darren, known for his gardening skills and wisdom.  
  
**Wally Cat**  
An insightful neighborhood fixture in Bed-Stuy who shares wisdom and keeps tabs on the local happenings without leaving the area.  
  
**Brian**  
A former Starbucks employee and aspiring salesperson who seeks Darren’s guidance to succeed in his dream career of sales.  
  
**Rose Butler**  
A friend of Brian’s who impresses Darren with her sales potential and becomes involved in the Happy Campers initiative.  
  
**Jacob T. Green (Jake)**  
A member of the "Talented Fifth," he highlights the importance of sharing knowledge for the empowerment of others.  
  
**Ellen Craft**  
Intriguingly gender-fluid member of the "Talented Fifth," who challenges Darren’s preconceived notions about identity.  
  
**Sandra Stork**  
The host of a morning talk show who interviews Darren and becomes his ally in navigating media exposure.  
  
**Treyborn Percival Evans (Trey)**  
Grandson of Mr. Rawlings, who influences the course of events due to his personal vendetta against Darren.  
  
**Clyde Reynolds Moore**  
Director of sales at Sumwun who opposes Darren and later establishes a competing organization to challenge Darren’s Happy Campers.  
  
**Rhett Daniels**  
Cofounder and CEO of Sumwun who offers Darren his initial opportunity at the company and acts as his mentor.  
  
**Barry Dee**  
A successful entrepreneur and important client for Darren, representing a particular model of entrepreneurial success.

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Part 1: “Prospecting”

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

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Part 2: “Qualifying”

Part 2, Chapters 5-11

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Part 3: “Discovery”

Part 3, Chapters 12-19

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Part 4: “Demonstration”

Part 4, Chapters 20-27

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Part 5: “Close”

Part 5, Chapters 28-35

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