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Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (May 24, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446539163
ISBN-13: 978-0446539166
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This is a collection of Urban Lit short stories. There are five stories, by five authors. Each story deals with the grittier side of life, from crack addiction, to drive by shootings. The five stories are:
Black is Blue: A woman walking the straight and narrow finds out how easy it is to cross the street and get mixed up with the wrong people.
The P Is Free: A story about love, addiction, and the struggle to overcome it.
The Last Laugh: Involves gang violence, and the repercussions resulting from that.
All For Nothing: A small clique called the Point Blank Mob finds themselves on the run when revenge goes wrong.
Makin’ Endz Meet: When Nina gets tired of being taken advantage of by the men in her life, she takes matters into her own hand.
I found these stories entertaining. I got through the book in one weekend. Each story is about 50 pages long. The characters seem true to life, at least from my viewpoint. I grew up on the mean streets of Hurricane, WV. so I haven’t seen, or experienced the lives that these writers or the characters have experienced. All I can go by is through movies and TV shows that I’ve seen.
I could see the conflict in some of the characters, and some of the hopelessness they felt. I’d probably give this book an MC17 rating, due to language, violence, drug abuse, and some sexuality. If you are a fan of Urban Lit, or just fiction in general, and don’t have a strong aversion to the situations mentioned, then pick this book up. I think the stories will be able to keep your attention, and are probably just the right length for those doctor’s office, mechanic, etc. visits.
One drawback that I found, and would be helpful, is some kind of glossary. I realize the audience of this book is probably the young, Urban crowd, but it was hard for me at first, having to figure out what the characters were talking about. There were certain words, clothing items, and just manner, that while undoubtedly accurate to the characters, as a read inexperienced in that life, couldn’t understand. I am still not sure what one character meant when he talked about he used to roll drivers for lambskins, but now had lambskins in every color. I wasn’t sure if lambskins were condoms, or if it related to something else. But this is just my personal lack of knowledge, and doesn’t reflect on the book or the authors.
About the Authors:
Wahida Clark was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She is no stranger to the hard work and sacrifices that breeds success. This Jersey girl owned and operated multiple businesses in Trenton, NJ and Decatur, GA. She decided to write street fiction while incarcerated at the women’s Federal Prison Camp in Lexington, Kentucky.
She was crowned the Queen of Thug Love Fiction by Nikki Turner, the Queen of Hip Hop Fiction. Wahida’s style of writing is the ‘TEMPLATE’ for street lit. So much so, that the Triple Crown Author, Keisha Erving copied her style, words and even used her characters names. Go to gorillaconvict.com and urbandbooksource.com for more on this deceit called plagiarism.
But when you read her novels, they are so real you are convinced of one of three things: you know the characters, you want to know the characters, or you a character. Her Essence, Don Divas and Black Issues Book Reviews, bestselling novels include: the trilogy Thugs and the Women Who Love Them, Every Thug Needs a Lady, and Thug Matrimony, Payback is a Mutha, and its highly anticipated follow up “Payback With Ya Life.” All published by Kensington/Dafina Books.
Wahida is the first Street Lit author to land multiple publishing deals with two major publishers all while serving an eight and a half years federal prison sentence. She says it wasn’t easy.
At press, she has just completed the follow up to Payback is a Mutha, entitled, Payback With Ya Life and is now working on ‘Thug Luvin’, part 4 to her ‘Thug ‘ Series. She is also Vice President of the non-profit organization, “Prodigal Sons and Daughters,” a re-entry program for those previously incarcerated, as well as support group for at-risk youth. Anyone interested in offering assistance to this life changing program can contact them at….
Visit her at www.myspace.com/wahidaclark, www.wahidaclark.org or write her at P.O. Box 8520, Newark, NJ 07108.
Victor L. Martin is the author of four published novels: A Hood Legend, Menage’s Way, For the Strength of You, and Unique’s Ending. He is currently incarcerated in a North Carolina prison.
LaShonda “L.L.Dasher” Sidberry-Teague is a Wilmington, North Carolina native, coming into her own as an up-and-coming author. She is the wife of author Kwame “DUTCH” Teague, one of the hottest street writers, and the mother of five children. She has found her calling in writing, and has her first novel coming soon, entitled Kiss. LaShonda lives by the motto…be a blessing and you will be blessed.
Bonta was born and raised on the mean streets of Chicago’s southeast side. After graduating high school and a brief stay in the U.S. Army, he answered the streets’ calling. His cost of chasing the mirage of fame and fortune was a 151-month federal sentence. While there, the legendary Joe Black inspired him to get serious about writing. Since then, he has written two novels and a few short stories.
Shawn “Jihad” Trump was born in Pennsylvania. In November 1999, Shawn was arrested and subsequently indicted by the federal government and sentenced to 84 months in prison. During his time there he learned to channel his emotions through writing. Since being released, Shawn continues to write and is also the partner of an up and coming indie label, South of the Burgh Entertainment. Shawn is married with two daughters.
*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Anna at Hachette Book Group for a review copy and subsequent giveaway copies. It in no way influenced my review.
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