Goliath is an impressively written, albeit uneven, contemporary novel that masquerades as science fiction, closer to 3 1/2 stars than 3. It is set in the near future when the Earth empties out as the privileged escape to the stars. 

In this case, privilege is defined as white. It's one of the repetitive political meanderings that Onyebuchi likes to drum upon with little middle ground. That's fine, except these fictional divisions are much starker than reality. The other repetitive meandering isn't political. Onyebuchi's environmental descriptions are also redundant. However, if you omit either the exodus or the ecological condition of the planet, there isn't much left to make the story science fiction as many characters reflect on a past closer to our present (or in our past) than their present. 

Still, there are large sections of Goliath where Onyebuchi proves himself to be a sensational writer. He has mastery over his prose when he isn't pounding away. In these moments, his narrative of oppression commands the most attention. In short, some stories told are stronger than others, and those stories pop up in the middle more than the beginning or the end. Those with a more substantial plot shine the most, especially one that toggles back and forth between two sides of Onyebuchi's race lines. The contrast between an educated Black man in prison and a White racist bounty hunter is among the most bleak and interesting of the collection. 

As a whole, I'm glad I stuck with it because I appreciate his perspective as a writer and as a person. While I see the world a little differently as part of our country's growing multiracial population, the perspective is salient as he attempts to explore race, class, and gentrification. In the end, you're left with something more than what you bring into it, which is more than can be said for most books. More importantly, it demonstrates that Oneybuchi is an author to watch. With a stronger plotline, there is no doubt he will produce something even more remarkable in the future.