Customer Reviews

Blackbirds: Volume 1

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I couldn't put the book down, and, being a fast reader, I spent much of a luxurious weekend devouring the story, savoring every chapter. Mr. Coleman has once again used his powerful writing expertise to pull us straight into the simple lives of a strong black family, the McCrays, who are fraught with the day-to-day racial tensions which were so prevalent during Jim Crow. As the story develops, we read how every one of the vivid characters have such distinct personalities, yet they strengthen each other as a united family and stand together as a force to be reckoned with.

For many of us who have never understood the severity of racial inequality that has existed even in our own lifetimes, it is an eye-opening and heart-wrenching experience to read as each member of the McCray family becomes a hero in their own rights, yet the book never becomes preachy or heavy-handed. As I read more and more of the book, I wasn't ready for the story to be over, and while Volume II will hopefully be released in 2008, the ending of this particularly story still felt very satisfying. I enjoyed it so much that I will probably re-read it starting next week.

Black Birds Volume 1 was an excellent read. As soon as I finished reading the first page I was hooked. The author took a masterful literary command of his characters and their dilemmas from start to finish and when I finished reading the last page, I wanted more.

The characters were true to life during the struggles. Another plus was the author interjected sprinkles of African American history throughout the book which made the story line more enjoyable.

A MUST READ! I'm ready for volume 2.

This is the first novel I have read by Mr. André Coleman and I was TOTALLY caught up in seemingly true to life struggles of the McCray family. This AMAZING novel although fictional is filled with a few real-life accounts of African American history that made the story much more SATISFYING. I could not put this book down! The minute I started the first page, I wanted to continue reading until I found out what would become of this strong, black family, who had to wade through the daily racism, hatred and ignorance which was so common during Jim Crow. The characters are well developed and each one has a distinct personality of their own that is quite MEMORABLE. Throughout this novel the characters will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, at some point you feel the intensity of their anger, sadness, fear, and even the little bit of joy they experience as they are faced with several life-altering decisions that could either strengthen this family's bond or tear them apart. Despite some of the editing issues this book still had a smooth flow and a very engaging dialogue. I often found myself crying, laughing and cheering with this courageous family as they took us on an EYE-OPENING and often HEARTBREAKING journey through our past. Congratulations, Mr. Coleman! I will be anxiously awaiting Volume II, so that I can continue this quite intriguing and educational, although imaginary voyage through our history with the unforgettable McCray family! A Definite MUST Read!

When I think about Andre Coleman's Black Birds Volume I, great films like Roots, Rosewood and A Rasin in the Sun come to mind. I can easily see Black Birds on the big screen. With the start of the Black Birds series, Andre has embarked upon a work of literature that will definitely stand the test of time if he is able to bring the brilliance, skill and talent to subsequent Black Bird Volumes that he has poured into Volume I and I have no doubt that he will. Not only could Black Birds become an epic film but I could also see it on stage. It would be comparable to the late great August Wilson's ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle.

In Black Bird's Volume I, Andre Coleman has created an American Family that we all can relate to on one level or another. Yes, the McCray's are African American but their story is universal. Yes, they live in the Jim Crow South in the 50s' but just as much as things change, things stay the same. The dirty tactics and racial undertones of our current election speak to the aforementioned. Robert and Leona McCray, like every parent, want the best for their children. In spite of poverty and racism that permeates their small town, the McCray's work hard and try to live the best life that they can. They are raising their three children, Lincoln, Joshua and Reta to be upright and respectful.

Andre moves Black Birds along with imagery that taps into all of the senses. He makes you feel the rabid heat that smothers the small town of Dernier, Louisiana. You can't help but taste the eggs, biscuits and pancakes that Leona prepares for her family. Nor can you ignore the smell of the smoke that fills the black part of town after its burned down by an angry white mob or not hear the countless shouts of "boy and sunny" that are the thrown at the grown African American men of Dernier and sadly you won't be able to close your eyes to the injustice and brutality of that time.

It doesn't take us long to get to know the McCrays, each so beautifully written with idiosyncrasies and foibles that we often see in ourselves and others. Robert is a man who can defer to his wife but maintain his manhood. Leona is a strong woman who can be feisty one moment and tender the next. Lincoln, the oldest is a pretty boy and a dreamer who wants to be the next Elvis Presley. Joshua is an old soul whose very being detests the injustice that underpins his life and Rita is a daddy's girl who wants a TV.

Each character has their on objectives, Robert to protect his family, Leona to love her family, Lincoln to be a star and Rita to be a daddy's girl. However, it's Joshua's desire to court a young African-American girl and a subsequent deadly encounter with the Sherriff's white racist son that opens a Pandora's box creating an explosive series of events that bring out the life and death survivor instincts in Robert and his family that are depicted in ways by Coleman that will have you mesmerized, breathless and on the edge of your seat.

Black Birds is a must buy and a must read.

If you haven't read Andre Coleman's book, Blackbirds:Volume 1, you are missing out on a classic!

I was born in 1977, but thanks to Mr. Coleman and the strong, real life characters in this book, I was a part of the jim crow era.

In this well-developed story, you will go back in time to the 50's. You will become a part of the Mccray family.

Hardworking parents, Robert and Leona Mccray are the proud parents of three children who they are raising in a small, racist town. You will travel with the Mccray family as they experience daily extreme aversion that was so prevalent during the jim crow era.

This book sucked me in like quicksand and refused to let me go until I'd finished.

Mr.Coleman has succinctly captured not only the feel of the small town, but he was also able to create characters so vivid they seemed like real people.
I sometimes forgot this book was fiction and found myself experiencing a plethra of emotions for the characters and the day to day racism they encountered.

I spent my weekend reading this book and it was well worth it!
Eagerly awaiting volume 2.
Reviewed by AOTR: Dee Dee M. Scott, author of My Husband's Woman.

APC( Andre Coleman), I just finished reading your book BlackBirds Volume 1. I can tell you right now that I am about to be a loyal fan. When is Volume 2 coming out. Volume 1 was soooooooo goooood! I recommend this book to everyone. I don't want to give too much away about the book because I don't want to spoil it for other readers. But I will say that the story takes place in 1955 in a small southern town called Dernier, Louisiana, and takes you on a journey with the Mccray family. The family deals with all the horrible things that was a true experience for many blacks during those years. It was so good. This story is going to draw you in and for a minute, you're going to feel as if you are a fly on the wall in the Mccray's house. I could actually visualize all the scenes as I was reading it. My heart went out to Joshua. Anyone who reads this post, please get BlackBirds Volume 1 and you will see what I mean. APC, you have a new fan. Congratulations on a wonderful job. I can't wait to read the next book! I would like to also recommend two other books that are sooo good. Every Reasonable Doubt by Pamela Samuels Young, and This Can't Be Love by Patricia Goins. Get these books too. They were also page-turners. Follow my recommendations and you'll be stuck in a book all year long, and I promise that you will not be dissappointed!

Mister Coleman has a gift for people. It's the people in Blackbirds: Volume 1 that draw you into their small-town Louisiana world circa 1955.

The harsh realities encountered there, by the McCray family and those around them, are seen through the eyes of the characters as well as through their views of one another. As Robert and Leona McCray protect their children, and vice versa. As they take solace in and fiercely defend the innocence of their youngest daughter. As their sons, Lincoln and Joshua, find identity in a world where so little personhood is left to them.

Reading Volume 1, any reader will begin to hope that some, if not all of our Blackbirds will transcend their environment. And to the reader, it will most definitely matter.

This novel by Andre Coleman begins in the the Jim Crow south and progresses through a series of life changing conflicts for the McCray family. It begins with the death of a young black teen at the hands of aggressive and relentless segregationists and follows the family's blight through the changes in America around this time. It's an interesting read for anyone intrigued by this period in African American history like me. I was very moved by the conflict that changed the character Joshua. His actions set off a fire storm of grief and havoc that left his home town forever changed and sent him fleeing for his life. I look forward to what will happen to bring him full circle in the books to come since this is just volume 1.

One of the most awe-inspiring books I have read in a long, long time. The emotion jumps off the page and reaches deep into your heart all the while ripping at your heartstrings. An emotional tale of racism and a look at the very similar parallels to the nation of race today. We have not come as far as we'd hoped. The McCray Family is one of love, strength, and the foundation found in a black family enduring heartache and struggle. The history that went into researching the true facts of what was going on in the rural south during the 30's and 50's made me sit back and reflect on where we have come from. I have shared this book with members of my family who also had a feeling of connection and understanding of who WE really are and the inner turmoil those who came before us went through. I can not wait for Volume #2 and the Revolution!
In the words of Joshua McCray - Freedom has no map.

Well done, Mr. Coleman, Well Done!

Andre Coleman's book Blackbirds Vol. 1 is a wonderful book about an
average African American family in the 50's. Through the eyes of the
McCray family we will see a part of history that we should never forget.

Mr. Coleman's book is a very powerful book and should be read by all
ages. He has a unique writing style that will keep you wanting more.

D.I.V.A.S. in Training! Book Club gave this book 5 stars! (KC Girlfriends Book Club's book club for AA high school aged girls)

Please follow the MrCray family through all seven volumes. Blackbirds
Volume 2 is due to release Spring 2008.

TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President