Customer Reviews

Between Brothers: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

'Not All Dogs' is a remarkably good read from beginning to end. Although each character had to bare the weight of their own personal issues, they were able to unite on one common goal; saving the community center for the youth. In this novel, Mr. Robinson brings to the readers a whole new concept of the male species; a positive one. If you are tired of reading books that portray men as 'dogs', then you must pick up this novel because you will learn just the opposite.

Robinson went above and beyond the call of duty when he wrote this book. I completely agree with the other young lady who claimed she was angry when the book was over because she wanted to read more about the characters. The author does a wonderful job of making the reader become attached to these four young men. Never before have I seen men (black men) portrayed with such realism and honesty. I relished the opportunity to have an intimate look inside the minds and hearts of young brothers today. Simply reading about the details of their lives kept me engrossed, but it was the suspenseful story line woven into this book that made me fight to put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read filled with drama, suspense, humor and sensitivity. I can't wait for your next book, Robinson.

The book was off the hook. I appreciated Terrence's character and almost tragic demise; My excitement could not be contained when his character choose life...instead of fear. I was so enthralled with your book that I had to halt telephone calls for a minute.... An anyone that knows me will tell you that I have been known to become attached to a phone at times.

Brother, keep up the good work. The moral fabric of your book and the consciousness of your characters was well weaved together. The testimony of faith rang through loud and clear. Your message, through Brandon and Bobby, of celibacy/abstinence among the sons and daughters of Christ was powerful. Thank you for honoring God in your writing. Abstinence/celibacy is a constant struggle among the body of Christ. Well, don't let me get to preaching like O.J. Peters (smile)....In all sincerity, the book was powerful...friendship, love and integrity were the underlying themes for me.

Finally, I was excited to see you address the presence of stratification even among wealthy with the juxtaposing Ashley and Larry.

To God be the Glory for the work you do....

As a graduate of Howard University, I was immediately beset with a sense of nostalgia amidst familiar campus and neighborhood surroundings on the Highland University campus, (Howard's fictionalized equivalent in Not All Dogs). Robinson provides an intriguing male perspective as he weaves a tale of intricate, multidimensional African American young men. The depth of the characters provides aspects of young African American men that are rarely explored. Although Robinson sets his story at an HBCU in Washington, DC, that setting is more of a launching pad used to propel his characters into the four corners of our nation's capital and the characters' maturation process. His four main characters are tied together by Ellis Community Center, which the four set out to save from a financial crisis. However, as the main characters try collectively to liberate Ellis Community Center, they meet their own personal crises and struggle with external challenges from corrupt political and criminal elements. Robinson artfully develops each of his characters, interweaving their individual stories into a drama consisting of suspense, humor and young love. His analysis of religious, political and community institutions (and their frailties) suggests a maturity far beyond his chronological age. Robinson swiftly moves us along a roller coaster full of unexpected twists and turns, slowing us down periodically just so we can catch our breath. The female romantic interests of his main characters are as diverse and complex as their male counterparts. With each character, Robinson explores a unique aspect of male/female interaction, which he conveys with a certain sensitivity laced with a touch of irreverence. The title, Not All Dogs, catchy as it may be, does not do justice to the compelling and well written drama C. Kelly Robinson blesses his reader with in this first novel. Look out for his forthcoming titles, Ladies Man and Stacked Deck. I eagerly await his next literary gem!

Not All Dogs is presented in the form of interwoven tales of Brandon "Choirboy" Bailey, a premedical student whose shy ways have left him with a "Black Female Shortage"; Terence "Bootstrapper" Davidson, an orphan putting himself through college who must choose between his wayward brother's life and the Center's survival; Larry "Smooth Operator" Whitaker, a wealthy child of privilege stuck between his trophy girlfriend and Sheila, a woman who fails his "physical criteria" but stirs his heart; and O.J. "Sinister Minister" Peters, an aspiring minister whose playboy lifestyle clashes with his sermons and ultimately endangers his life. When the four housemates unite to save a struggling children's community center in their urban Washington, D.C. neighborhood, their commitment is tested by a trio of urban villains seeking to shut the center down, and by each man's personal dramas. Not All Dogs is both an exceptionally well written and consummate novel of character studies and an engaging, compelling story set in the very real and contemporary world of the Black community. Highly recommended reading.

I love this book. I'm almost positive I experienced every emotion known. Mr. Robinson truly knows how to set a scene. I felt like I was there with the characters and I could actually feel their joy, pain, sorrow, hope, and despair. It has all the characteristics of a great story: Romance, Drama, Suspense and Comedy.

Rarely do I pick up a book that grips me and keeps calling me to pick it up once I put it down. Even more, as I was finishing the book, I became annoyed when the phone rang! I eagerly wanted to find out what happened next! It's so good to read a book about the inner struggle brothers experience. I enjoyed Not All Dogs so much that I was sad when I finished. I become so familiar with the characters that I ended up wishing I could read more about them. Great, great, novel!

Whoever said in their ratings that it takes awhile to get into this book was dead-on! I can't even finish it. Eighty pages into the story and the author still hasn't gotten into the plot. All he's doing is describing how rich they are and what material things they have and their opinions on women, blahzay blah. I think the idea for this story is great but there are so many flaws in this novel, that it's driving me crazy. #1 The dialogue goes from broken English, to hoodrich, to cocktail conversation all within the same person. Make up your mind! #2 The author spends entirely too much time talking about one guy's campaign...was one of his degrees in Political Science because if it wasn't, it should have been!!! #3 If I hear about one more person's car or clothes or money, I'm going to start thinking Cash Money is friends with C. Kelly Robinson.
This book is a complete disappointment but because I didn't finish it, I'll be fair and give it three stars considering other people seemed to like it!

I found "Between Brothers" to be an excellent read among all
people of all backgrounds. This Isn't your typical run of the mill book about the sterotypes that we as Black Men go under.
Yet this Book will give the reader an In depth look on what goes
on Inside the minds and hearts of Intellegent loving Black Men.
Alot of the topics that were Issued I could very much relate to
such as spirituality, striving to be the best at what I can be as far as my career concerns me, and the revealing of the heart
to that special someone that all of us hopes to be willing to share with us In our life's journies and thus far. I would to commend Mr. Robinson for a really thoughtful and carefully planned Book! I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires
Inspiration In life.

"Between Brothers" is set on a factitious Washington DC HBCU (Historically Black College/University) campus. The plot sets four of the college students as roommates who volunteer at a local community center that has lost government funding and is in danger of closing. Together, the four students rescue the university from the deliberate financial mismanagement of one of its managers. Rolly Orange is the financial manager of the Community Center and part of a covert scheme - orchestrated by Nico, the local drug dealer, and Buzz, a wealthy white real-estate developer - to destroy the center. The destruction of the center would make the land available for a gentrification project, representing a financial landslide for Buzz. Nico's interest is served, as the pool of poor neighborhood kid without the support of the Center's programs would turn to dealing/using drugs. Orange is paid well by both Nico and Buzz for his inside work to sabotage the Center.

While the four students attempt to unravel the foul deed in progress, they are also engaged in reconciling issues of class-ism, color prejudice, racism, morality, spirituality, religion, politics, love, and probably a few other social concerns. The author includes about every social issue faced by black men today. He uses the university to represent a microcosm of greater society although I found that the issues he introduces are only dealt with on a very surface level. For the young / beginning reader, this may be a valuable read. If nothing else, Robinson's main characters are positive young black men and women educating themselves and trying to support the surrounding community by giving back to the Center. I applaud him for that effort. The novel falls short however, on many levels. The plot unfolds in basic linear fashion and is predictable to the final chapter. The story line lacks depth and complexity. The language is flat and non-emotive; the writing seems overly structured and deliberate, removing any aspects of creativity and originality. The author's decision to practically eliminate the use of profanity creates unrealistic dialogue in many instances. While I understand the author's desire to write a "clean" book, I didn't get the impression that his characters were speaking in authentic voice when "dang" is used when "damn" would have been much more appropriate. I can not recommend this one for those who enjoy a complex, layered novel rich with imagery and fully realized characters. I will recommend it to young or beginning readers, I believe there's something there for that readership.