In this hard hitting and action-filled novel, newcomer Guy Johnson (the son of Maya Angelou) introduces LeRoi Boudreaux Tremain, one of the most complex and engaging African-American characters in fiction. From the forests of France in WWI to the streets of New York City to a black township in Oklahoma, "King" Tremain is the angel of vengeance wherever he sees injustice inflicted on his people, friends or family.
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In this hard hitting and action-filled novel, newcomer Guy Johnson (the son of Maya Angelou) introduces LeRoi Boudreaux Tremain, one of the most complex and engaging African-American characters in fiction. From the forests of France in WWI to the streets of New York City to a black township in Oklahoma, "King" Tremain is the angel of vengeance wherever he sees injustice inflicted on his people, friends or family.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Fine jacket. pp. 548. Hardcover with dustjacket. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition stated. No names or markings except for possible remainder mark on edge. Some staining on inside flaps and front board. A journey through thirty years of the African-American experience in America. Guy Johnson is the son of Dr. Maya Angelou. 548 pages.
I had not heard of this book, it was published in 1998 or 1999. I was in the library looking at the audio section and saw it in cassette form. I got it and was captured on the first tape. The story starts in the late 1800's. The hero King Tremain was in the army when my mother was an infant. My mother was born in 1918. The book although fiction gives a historical insight into black life in America from the late 1800's to about 1938 or 1940. King reminded me of so many positive men in my life among those, my dad. The character, King, stood up as a man even when blacks were treated like sub-humans. He was fair , but demanded respect and didn't mind dieing or killing to get it. He refused to be called the "N" word by anybody. The book, "The Godfather" was good, "Standing at the Scratch Line", was better because it was about black people and I could relate personally. I thought about my family and growing up in Cleveland, Oh has a child. Today, I am 60 years old so I remember alot of what was in this book thinking back on what not only my parents had to say but my great aunts and great uncles. This book made me think of my great aunt Dell who read her bible every night before she went to bed and after reading she placed her pistol on her bible and went to sleep. When I asked about the gun, she told me "God helps them who helps themselves". Sound like something King Tremain would say. I have also read the book too. Reading the book gave me more time for reflection. My sister who lives in Boston, MA, resently went to hear a lecture by Maya Angelou and she shouted from the audience, "Standing at the Scratch Line", Maya replied, "I don't know who you are but my son wrote that book and I'm sure you enjoyed it". This is one of those books that you can read or listen to several times and never tire of it!
