Customer Reviews

Change of Heart, A

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4 star:		(3)
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It's not every day that God sends an angel to reprimand us for the err of our ways. It's not every day that a white racist man is saved from a gang incident and nursed back to health by a black woman and her grandson. And, it's not every day that a man like this white man, whose hatred had run so deep, has a change of heart. Almost oblivious to the immorality of his upbringing, Ross Crass becomes an adult racist harboring full-grown hate. Once an accomplished literary agent, he now lives in the housing projects of Hartford, Connecticut, surrounded by those he was taught to hate, and submerged in his own self-pity. After a close call with a local gang, Maggie Turner and her grandson Tracie bring Ross into their home while he recuperates.

After a visit from a black angel... and through the kindness of Maggie and Tracie, Ross' viewpoint changes. In addition, now that he is using a cane and getting stares from folks on the bus and rejections from potential employers, he realizes that black folks get those kind of stares and rejections on a daily basis.

Tracie has been working on his novel for years now. He has endured countless rejections from publishing houses, abhoring the impersonal form letters that smash his dreams. Can Ross use his literary skills to help Tracie get published? Will he help a man from the race he was raised to hate?

Jermaine Watkins has crafted a fine novel that centers not only on racism, but also on humanism. The prose and storyline are flowing, and the reader feels compassion, anger, and a plethora of other emotions while following this wonderful story. The characters had depth, and neither the concept nor the storyline were overdone. This is a fresh, new plot line, and I anxiously await the next effort from this talented author.

Reviewed by CandaceK

Mr. Watkins is a new voice in the book world today. I was brought up to look white people in the eye when I had something to say and to never let one of them see me sweat even if I was sweating. But never brought up to be racist. Growing up we had a huge picture of Angela Davis on our living room wall, yet I still love all kinds of people.

To read a story like this was very interesting and brought on a whole new look at how people really feel. The story was well told and entertaining. I recommend it to all.

If you read a lot of my reviews, you'll quickly find out I'm always on the hunt for a book with something different, something that grabs my attention and holds it until the end of the book. The biggest factor for me, and lets admit it, most reviewers have some bias, but anyway, what grabs me is something shocking and unexpected, followed closely by an ending I can't readily guess. A Change of Heart has half of my winning book combination- the unexpected- and this alone kept my interest through the book.

Ross Crass is an interesting man. The book opens where he has fallen from a secure kingdom he's built for himself in the literary world to land him squarely in the confines of an urban housing complex. Not terribly unexpected if you compare Ross to others who are one paycheck away from homelessness, but Ross is different in many ways. He's white and his attitude is one of disgust for black people. He would rather die than be in the situation he's in. If it had not been for Maggie and her grandson Tracie, he very well could have received his wish. After being brutally attacked one night and Maggie took Ross in and nursed him back to health both physically and mentally.

Ross' feelings on black people are so negative, he resists Maggie's assistance at first. During his convalescence he dreams and is approached by a black angel whose duty it is to aid him. He refuses to accept the angel's aid as well. Only when he comes to the realization that his upbringing has harmful implications to his present and future situations does he slowly knock down his destructive racist thought patterns and actions.

As Ross gets closer to Maggie and Tracie, he experiences a true change of heart, which is why this book is missing my other half of the great book equation. Nonetheless it's an average book to read and enjoy. Told from a perspective that avid readers don't come across much, A Change of Heart explores topics not readily discussed in open forums or over the dinner table. Expounding on racial matters is a delicate path to tread, but Jermaine Watkins has forged a path to dialogue through a book that contains controversial moments and situations.

I purchased this novel after attending an online chat with the author hosted by the RAWSISTAZ Book Club. I am so glad that clubs exist that give exposure to untapped literary talent. That is what happened in this case.

I had never heard of this book even though it has been out for quite some time but I am glad I did and enjoyed it immensely. The main character, Ross, is the epitome of racist having been raised by parents who trained him to feel above others. He finds himself living in the projects after attacking a black man who wanted his representation as a literary agent. Finding himself out of his element, he is still full of venom until a grandmother and her grandson rescue him from being slain. They care for him despite his obvious snobbish attitude toward them. What happens is a "change of heart" as the title suggests.

I loved this novel because it shows that even though we are conditioned from birth to have certain beliefs, we can learn differently if we are willing to accept change. This reminds me of an independent film by Keith Plummer called Mentality that deals with a similar concept.

I am looking forward to Mr. Watkins next offering. This one was definitely worth my time and held my attention, something that happens less and less these days with the books lining the shelves with redundant storylines. Thanks for writing something unique.

"Surprising." If I had to describe A Change of Heart with one word, it would be "surprising." It is surprising who the author chose as his main character. It is surprising, in this day and age, that the language the author chose to use reflects the dignity of the story. It is surprising that the author deals with such a negative issue and yet still leaves you feeling uplifted. And mostly, it is surprising that at a time when the world is in such turmoil, when it seems like the rich and powerful will do just about anything to remain rich and powerful and when the downtrodden seem to have given up hope and have lost sight of a better life, the author can give us hope that racism (and all the other evils of man) can be defeated on a one-to-one basis, one person at a time through . . . A Change of Heart.

This is a book that needs to be promoted. This is a book that should be taught in school. Not only does it tell a tale that needs to be told - one that uplifts rather than depresses, it also proves the importance of the clarity of language. This is a book that can be understood by all people, it is a story about all people. It is not a book about racism, it is a book about the hope that racism can be defeated.

Jermaine Watkins possesses a clever and poignant writing style that draws you into the story immediately and doesn't let go until the final page is turned. He is an author that will be appreciated for years to come.