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MEDIA & EVENTS > BOOK
REVIEWS
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| BLACK PEOPLE: FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY
by W. Ivan Wright (Able Journey Press, 2007)
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CRICKET IN THE CORNER
Jean Kozlowski
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Never mind the book African-American author Jurney
Swiftwood has penned – the title alone has struck enough
nerves in the black community to render his journey one
of driftwood dowm the river of Uncle Tom infamy. It doesn't
really matter what his work is about; Jurney's sin is
that he's had the audacity to explore layers of cultural
identity from an insider's viewpoint. Rather than keeping
a lid on stereotypes, he explodes them, and in the process
exposes his own life to a measure of blasting powder
and fuse.
Subplots abound, from dirty politics and sloppy murder
to a bachelor's discovery that he is father and a man
in the most honorable sense of the word. At times distractingly
awkward, Wright's prose seems to mirror his character's
unpolished sense of self as he draws on his own life's
influences to guide him. In the end, the cliches of
kinship offer the strength of decency rooted in fierce
cultural values. This Jurney's destination satisfies.
Jean Kozlowski, "Cricket in the Corner"
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WRITING JOURNEY BEGINS
by Nora O'Dowd
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W. Ivan Wright is ready for the reaction to the title
of his first novel, "Black People: For Entertainment
Purposes Only."
But, just like the protagonist of his book, he's hoping
people will get beyond the title to the story, and
the philosophy, he's been thinking about setting down
for a decade.
There are definite parallels between the life of the
character Wright has created and his own. Both grew
up in Trenton, both graduated from Trenton Central
High School. (Wright was in the Class of 1976.)
Both believe the grounding of family and community
cannot be underestimated, both have written a book
called "Black People: For Entertainment Purposes
Only," and neither is afraid of ruffling feathers
in order to get his point across.
There are definite parallels between the life of the
character Wright has created and his own. Both grew
up in Trenton, both graduated from Trenton Central
High School. (Wright was in the Class of 1976.)
Both believe the grounding of family and community
cannot be underestimated, both have written a book
called "Black People: For Entertainment Purposes
Only," and neither is afraid of ruffling feathers
in order to get his point across.
read more... |
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AMAZON.COM EDITORIAL REVIEW
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Black People: For Entertainment
Purposes Only, is a suspenseful fiction thriller that introduces seasoned characters and humorous dialogues to the reader. The main character, Jurney Swiftwood, has written a book whose title infers that the purpose of black people, is for America's entertainment. Jurney's book has placed him in the cross hairs of community dissension, media scrutiny and family angst. The outcry from an offended public has also placed an unsuspecting Jurney on the hit list of a politically controlled assassin. In the midst of his troubles, Jurney discovers that he is the father
of a precious, yet abused nine-year-old girl! Situations and conversations present an entertaining vehicle that serves to remind all communities of the importance, and awesome power of perception.
read
Amazon online reviews... |
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AMAZON.COM REVIEW
by Albert M. Starks
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W. Ivan Wright's Black People
- For Entertainment Purposes Only is an intriquing novel
that will wake up whites and blacks. Whites will enter
the world of Jurney, Selena, Roland, Tylea and others
and see it through a clearer lens. Blacks will see themselves
as a sharper image.
"Me and Roland was talking the
other day. You know, that man surprises me sometimes.
I never realized that he was so knowing about things.
But anyway, 'As messed up as this country is, it's the
only country where somebody who came from dirt-poor nothing
can put his face deep in the books for six to eight years
and forever remove himself from the pauper's door, changing
the legacy of his seed.'" In a book filled with
dialogue full of insight and with real-life characters
and listen-to language, Wright weaves a tale full of
drama and suspense. I can't wait for his next book.
read
review online...
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