Patches of Grey
Patches of Grey
Roy L. Pickering Jr. (author)
Product Description
Tony Johnson is a studious young man planning to soon graduate from much more than high school. Although his zip code places him in a Bronx tenement pre "rise of Obama", his sights are set far beyond the trappings of a humble upbringing. Collegiate dreams combined with falling in love with a white classmate put him strongly at odds with his father.His brother C.J.'s rebellious ways place him in the path of danger on gang ruled streets, and the chastity of their sister Tanya is clearly approaching its demise, but it is Tony who incurs the majority of Lionel Johnson's wrath for his ambition and self-identity. Seeing unrealized goals reincarnated in the eyes of his eldest son harshly remind Lionel of what once could have been, and of what went wrong. His own childhood in a segregated southern town established a bitter outlook that is the only legacy he has to pass down to his children. When his job and role as primary breadwinner are lost, Lionel's authority quickly erodes and he drowns his disappointment one drink at a time. This affords Tony, who lacks the seemingly servile patience of his mother, an opportunity to assert independence. But throughout the course of a tumultuous year, Tony comes to learn that the world is not as black and white as he and his father's opposing mindsets would suggest.
Product Details
Ebook
File Size: 392 KB
Print Length: 332 pages
Publisher: M.U.D. House Books (February 23, 2010)
Language: English
ASIN: B0039PU9X6
Available at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.
Review
By Dianne Rosena Jones
When I finished reading the first chapter I knew this Author was more than just someone who wanted to write. Roy L. Pickering, Jr. is a Storyteller. “Patches of Grey” is a deeply complex tale with authentic characters whose personalities are strong and well developed. The story surrounds the Johnson family and each member’s life is examined from their own perspective. Their individual struggles are woven together to illustrate a compelling tale of how each of them chooses to deal with adversity.
Worlds collide within the pages of this book. Thoughts are challenged. Dreams are shattered. Hearts are broken. The author explores what shattered dreams do to the Soul’s of Men. From the man who seemed to have it all, to the man who never achieved his goals, and the one who fights to keep hope alive, and the fall of one who barely got to dream at all.
“Patches of Grey” takes the reader on a remarkable journey into the depths of despair with the Johnson family as each of them battle to overcome their reality, which threatens to overwhelm them to the point of no return. “Patches” has depth, meaning, and purpose with powerful themes, some subtle and others blatantly obvious. Mr. Pickering writes with a voice strong enough to one day propel him into the category with the likes of other great Novelists such as: Richard Wright [Native Son, Black Boy], Ralph Ellison [Invisible Man], and John A. Williams [The Man Who Cried I AM].
I believe with persistence this writer will one day be represented by a mainstream Publisher with celebrated works on shelves in Bookstores, in Libraries, and even as required reading in African-American Literature courses in some Colleges. Many aspiring writers could learn much about how to develop a character by studying the members of the Johnson family. By the end of the book, there is no gap in the fabric of the man’s mind, heart, or spirit that the author has not uncovered. I closed the book having experienced that turbulent year in the life of this family.
I’m going to place Mr. Pickering’s book “Patches of Grey” on my book shelf right next to the African-American Greats that had paved the way in Literature, and left the path clear and plain for him to follow in their footsteps.
Posted at BellaOnline.
Other Reviews can be viewed at Reads for Pleasure and Book Vacations.
