Always [Paperback]

Timmothy B. Mccann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2000

It's election night and Henry Louis Davis II waits for the results that could make him the first African-American president of the United States...the impossible goal he had held since the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot...back when he shared his dreams with the love of his teenage life as they promised each other it would be for "always."

The years have taken Henry along a path filled with highs and lows. His wife, Leslie, is his lover and best friend, a woman to whom he has pledged himself for always. His long ago love, Cheryl, is the mother of a grown daughter...with a yearning for the one man whom she has loved for always. Now three people face an historic night alone--each recalling the dreams of yesterday and the promises of tomorrow that will bring them to a love meant to last for...

Always

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's election night 2000 in McCann's second novel (after Until), a tale that's strong on premise but weaker in execution. The roster of candidates reads like a liberal utopia. The favorite to win is Senator Henry Louis Davis II of Florida, who, if elected, will be the nation's first African-American chief executive. Henry has always kept his eye on the prize, and his is the prime viewpoint in a narrative that offers a triptych of perspectives, the others being those of his first girlfriend, Cheryl, whom he met on the day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, swearing to love her "for always," and Leslie, the supportive woman he married after the relationship with Cheryl failed. As the tense vote countdown progresses, all three watch as the results come in, waiting to learn their own fates, and the nation's. Periodically, the figures are posted as each state closes its polls. But the simulated minute-by-minute coverage and its pitch for white-knuckled tension misses its mark, for McCann has failed to provide a platform for his protagonist. When a staffer asserts of Henry, "His plans are so original," readers may well wonder, "Where's the beef?"A other than Henry's promise to become a "moral and loving example of all that is good about this country of ours." Maybe McCann's real purpose here is to show how shallow a presidential campaign can be, with smug homilies replacing substantive issues and stick figures strutting across the national stage. Given the unsophisticated prose and awkward development, however, one must conclude that McCann simply left out the essential underpinning for his plot. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A fresh, gifted, intuitive voice in contemporary fiction." -- --Lolita Files

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (July 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380805979
• ISBN-13: 978-0380805976
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,620,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always is Absolutely AweSum!, July 27, 2000

By 

AweSum312 (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always (Paperback)

Always is Timmothy B. McCann's second novel and it's AweSum! The main character is Henry Louis Davis the second, a black man fulfilling his childhood dream of running for president in the 2000 election. As a teenager, Henry knew he wanted to be the US President. His high school sweetheart, Cheryl, supported and encouraged him to pursue his dream. Henry planned his whole life to be the president: the schools he attended, the activities he participated in, the jobs he selected, even the woman he married. His whole life centered on the goal of the presidency. Along the way he has triumphs, temptations, setbacks, and the love and support of a woman who loves him.

Always is a love story. It's about the love you think will be "for Always;" the love that turns out to be "for Always;" and what you do in the meantime. It's about having to work for love to last Always, and the pain that the possibility of losing that Always love brings. It's about balancing individual hopes and dreams with love and relationships. It's about finding out what is really important to you, and hoping when you get "it" that you have your "for Always" love there to share it with you.

I look forward to more novels from Timm McCann!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always and Forever, July 26, 2000

By 

Phill (Red Bank, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always (Paperback)

The year 1968. Otis' Dock of the Bay resonated melodiously in eardrums, from the grave; Rosemary's little bundle of joy scared the be-jeez-us out of folks, at the box-office; the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took a bullet on a balcony, for his people;and, in author Timmothy B. McCann's latest masterpiece, "Always", Henry Louis Davis II and Cheryl Anne Allen forged their love thang as youngsters. Jump ahead to 2000, the Similac is off their breaths, they're grown-ups, and Henry has the opportunity on election night of becoming the first Black President of the US of A (choke on that David Duke), and Cheryl's watching with more than a passing interest. The years have found Henry married, to Leslie, and Cheryl still in flicker mode (fired up for Henry, y'all). Where does the three-way romance end--buy the book. Repeat after me slowly ...buy ...the ...book (Say it three times in your mirror and a Fed Ex truck will magically appear outside your door with the book, and need of credit card info of course). If you read "Until..." then you know that McCann is one of the best at taking love and exploring all of it's myriad outcomes---from recited wedding vows to the proverbial 'clean his toilet with his toothbush, girl'--McCann will take you there like some 70's high. You'll laugh, you'll cry. Bottom line, McCann's work satisfies like a six pack of Gatorade on the Sun. Skills with the pen and pad, McCann.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Life--in the Political Arena, August 10, 2000

By 

Donna Hill (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always (Paperback)

Timm McCann gets better with each book. I was enthralled with Always from the first page. What impressed me most was the creative way he wove the story together, giving us a behind the scene look at each of his characters. He took a big chance in writing Always, and I believe is was totally successful. The mark of a great writer is to step out and stretch your wings, do the unexpected and still come out with a great story. This is what Timm McCann did with Always. We can emphathize with each of the characters and their plights. Though we may never run for higher office or have aspirations of being President, the down-to-earth emotions and situations that ran through each of his characters is something that all of us can understand. What do you do when the one you've vowed to love "Always" returns? Is it possible to ever find that "other" love, that "Forever" love? Timm McCann proves that it's possible, and answers the age-old question: When you are given the choice of success or forever happiness, what will YOU choose to do?

Kudos, Timm, on a job well done. Always is a must read!

Donna Hill author of "If I Could"