Blackface: A Novel [Paperback]

Q.B Wells (Author)

Book Description

Series: Blackface | Publication Date: November 11, 2005

Travel with Black and experience Blackface!

To protect his mother, teenager Demitris Zachery a.k.a Black must runaway from his home. Forced to mingle with the worst elements and conditions of urban life, he meets Face, Penny and Zero-together they fend for the American Dream. Inevitably, experience provokes Black to observe his friends, his lifestyle and his own aspirations. In his journey of self-discovery, Black must learn how to survive on the streets of Chicago, alter his life decisions or perish in the confusion of life.

Evocative, elegantly crafted and fast paced, Blackface challenges the reader and promises to be one an engaging read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Engrossing from start to finish!" -- LA Metro Magazine, Feb. 11, 2006

"Gritty...heartfelt...serious work." -- Cymbre Foster, Editor of Foreword Magazine

Blackface is a haunting novel that pieces together the harsh realities of the inner city. "Captivating, Raw and Uncensored." -- The Weekly Press

About the Author

Q.B Wells is the webmaster of ArtofficialMedia.com and editor of The Urban Art Magazine. He is in his twenties, holds a M.S in Professional Writing from Towson University and a B.A from Columbia College Chicago.

He currently resides in Baltimore, MD and he is completing a new work, The Devil and Me, scheduled for release in January 2006. Blackfaces is scheduled for release summer of 2006.

Product Details

• Paperback: 135 pages
• Publisher: Art Official Media LLC (November 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976806118
• ISBN-13: 978-0976806110
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,680,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Q.B. Wells is the publisher of Art Official Media LLC and an author living in Baltimore City, Maryland. He has written books (Blackface, Doughboy), book reviews, articles and essays about urban literature and culture for The Urban Book Source, Urbania Magazine and www.UrbaniaMag.com.

A member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Q.B. Wells presents workshops on publishing at local community centers and organizations. A visionary and entrepreneur, Q.B. Wells taught with the Baltimore City Public School System for several years before transitioning into teaching writing classes at Towson University. One Hundred Miles and Running (Blackface 2) is his second novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Streets, September 18, 2008

By 

Lena M. Willis "luv2read" (San Francisco Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blackface: A Novel (Paperback)

Clinton Ray, or "Black", along with his friends Face, Penny and Zero all learn how to live life in the streets of Chicago in the novel, Blackface, by Q.B. Wells. The author introduces you to Black's life early on in the novel and the daily strife he and his mother encounter as they struggle to live in the same apartment - a boy-child trying to be a man and a mother trying to keep him a child.

While reading this book of only 128 pages, the author delves deep into issues such as molestation, self-hatred, gang violence, suicide, drug dependency and other issues that could arise as a result of living in an urban environment. While touching on all of these issues, none of them ever come full circle. The characters all have different scenarios going on at the same time and while reading, it got confusing to keep up with what was happening to whom. The inconsistency of their ages was troubling as well. It seemed at one point they were getting their G.E.Ds, however, a fight in the classroom would never be tolerated in an adult learning environment. The editing was very poor, making reference to a "Johnny Hathaway" album, instead of Donny Hathaway.

I was anxious to read the book after reading the description but was disappointed when it seemed as if the description was for another book. I wanted to be engaged, but it was too confusing and I knew that because of the length of the book, there was no way there could be a realistically conceivable ending that would make sense and I was correct. I am unable to make a recommendation for this book at this time.

Lena Willis
APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Heartbreak Hotel, December 30, 2005

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackface: A Novel (Paperback)

BLACKFACE by Q. B. Wells is a story about life on the mean streets of Chicago for an unpopular teen. Black is a fat, somewhat clumsy, dark skinned child who feels unloved - especially by his mother, who is something of a disciplinarian. He feels that she loves Roy Mayor, the white child to whom she is a nanny, better than she loves him because she listens to Roy's whining and complaining when she won't tolerate it from him. He is also upset at the darkness of his skin and feels that if he were lighter, he would be better loved. In one scene, we see Black scrubbing his face with steel wool and rinsing it in Clorox to lighten his skin. Finally, in a moment of rebellion against his mother, Black runs away to the streets and meets up with his friends who also have their own issues. Face is a foster child who longs for a family; Penny's mother is a drug addict he feels he must protect and Zero, who also has a stern father, stutters and longs to fit in with the crowd. All four of these young men need money and they need it right now. What will they do to get it?

Q. B. Wells's novel is a heart-wrenching picture of what life for a black teen can be on the harsh, unforgiving streets of an urban ghetto where money is everything and drugs are on every corner. It is a coming of age story where Black must decide if he is going to take the high road or the low road. Is he going to listen to his mother or his friends? Other than some editing issues that jolt the smoothness of the book, it is a captivating read. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it for anyone who loves a good story.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. A Moving Story. 5 Stars. Thoroughly Realistic, November 1, 2011

By 

glen cantrell "Glen Cantrell" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackface: A Novel (Paperback)

Q. B. Wells has written about the harsh realities of living on the Chicago streets. A totally mesmerizing read. This novel doesn't have a dull point throughout the entire story. 'BLACKFACE' is reality. It may be cold and heartless at times, but it puts you in touch with what it takes to manage life in this part of the Country. Recommended for all serious readers.