‘Shadowboxing’ explores the life of Michael growing up in the 1960s. The book contains short stories that interweave to illustrate the life of Michael. It narrates some of the harsh realities of life that Michael goes through. It also shows the inevitable challenges that present themselves as he is growing up. Shadowboxing is a fight against an imaginary opponent, and this is expressed through the protagonist’s experiences.
The book explains how Michael was raised by an alcoholic, abusive father, and a sickly mother. His life was rife with domestic violence and abuse though there were some good moments too. It also explores the consequences of Michael pursuing answers as an adult, solutions for a lot of things he went through when he was growing up while at the same still entangled with the painful childhood memories. One of the memories is when his father provides him with a bloody initiation into the way of the ring of protection while he was eight years old. Unfortunately, the ring is no match for the aggression and the violence that flourishes in the local streets and homes, and instead, it casts a long shadow symbolic of defeat.
The skillful blending of Michael's vulnerability and innocence as a child with his sense of compassion as an adult has succeeded in bringing the strength to this story's narration. The story brings out the controversial themes of domestic violence and death in a real light. The cities were once symbols of prosperity, places for nice families to live with one another, but by the time Michael grew up, these cities were full of violence. ‘Shadowboxing’ expresses the hardships and challenges of life in the ‘60s incredibly well with an authentic story that is straight to the point.
