Only the Strong

Name: Only the Strong
Brand: Tantor Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Jabari Asim
ISBN: 9781494583040

Author: Jabari Asim

Narrator: JD Jackson

Unabridged: 11 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/26/2015

Categories: Fiction, African American & Black Fiction

Synopsis

Moved by the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., Lorenzo "Guts" Tolliver decides to abandon his career as a professional leg-breaker and pursue a life of quiet moments and generous helpings of banana pudding in the company of his new, sensuous lover. His erstwhile boss, local kingpin Ananias Goode, is also thinking about slowing down—but his tempestuous affair with Dr. Artinces Noel, a prominent pediatrician, complicates his retirement plans. Meanwhile, Charlotte Divine, the doctor's headstrong protégée, struggles with trials of her own.

With prose that's sharp, humorous, and poetic, Jabari Asim skillfully renders a compelling portrait of urban life in the wake of the last major civil-rights bill. Massive change is afoot in America, and these characters have front-row seats.

About Jabari Asim

Born in St. Louis, Jabari Asim is a journalist and the author of many works of fiction and nonfiction. He is currently the executive editor of the Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP. He also contributes to the Washington Post and Bookforum, and is an associate professor of creative writing at Emerson College.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Navdeep

This is a tender read about a very outwardly tough character: Lorenzo "Guts" Tolliver, a former professional leg breaker, moved to mend his ways after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. He is rendered thoroughly complex. I haven't read his short story collection, but this novel uses the same fictio......more

Goodreads review by Ira

Just a really well written book that was both a slice of life character study taking place during a reasonably compact period (maybe a few months) in "real time" in the 1970's in a fictional take on St. Louis...as well as a thought provoking, multigenerational take on responsibility, family, class a......more

Goodreads review by Tiffany

James McBride mixed with a chunk of Walter Mosley. Black lit at its finest. Though a bit wordy and it seems too drawn out in some places, this was a delight to read. I was enthralled with the character Guts as I was hoping the book was all about him but it turned out it followed several characters.......more