Come Get Some (Strebor on the Streetz) [Paperback]

Nane Quartay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008 | Series: Strebor on the Streetz

Come Get Some is a vivid tale of street life and the struggle to conquer poverty and discover one's self through the indomitable will of the human spirit.

Four friends -- Mugwump, Whiteboy Paul, Truitt, and Willmon Angel -- are tragic outcasts plunged into a world of shifting morality, sexual exploration and the stinging reality of racism. An illicit relationship with a high school English teacher, a tragic altercation with the police and a youthful indiscretion force them each to confront their personal demons, revealing hard truths that alter their lives forever. When one of the friends is murdered, their friendship is shattered and his violent death tears their clique apart as they go their separate ways. Years later, they are reunited and when forced to face the consequences of their actions they hatch a plan to exact revenge on the man responsible for the murder.

Thrust into a world of shifting morality, sexual exploration, and encountering the stinging reality of racism, Come Get Some bridges the gap between a literary, yet fully entertaining style of storytelling. Nane Quartay's bold, literary style captures thoughtful, social commentary through a fast-paced narrative. Come Get Some is a story of survival, friendship, tragedy, and ultimate redemption -- revealing how the bonds of friendship can give people the power they need to overcome all obstacles that life sets in their path.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his fourth novel Nane Quartay, (Take Two and Pass) attempts to combine a coming of age story with social commentary through the experiences of four young protagonists: Truitt, Whiteboy Paul, Mugwump and Wilmon-all of whom have to deal with the morally ambiguous choices necessitated by life in the ghetto. Starting with the protagonists as they're playing kickball and marveling at the exploits of the local pimp, Uncle Dope, the narrative quickly flashes forward to adolescence, when we're re-introduced to Paul and Truitt through their sexual exploits-Paul starts an affair with his English teacher, Ms. Jones, while Truitt loses his virginity. When three of the boys are witnesses to a terrible incident between Ms. Jones and another teacher, it starts them down a path of unfulfilled relationships, violence and eventually murder. Quartay attempts to tackle the knotty issues of life in the modern inner city but the characters lack realism and the plot twists are also implausible. This might not stop the book from appealing to its primary audience: Zane fans and, if there are any, their male equivalents.
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Review

"Spellbinding. Nane has writen a sexy story that left me wanting -- no, strike that -- needing more. I loved every twist and turn, even the parts that made me want to cry. Great job, I loved it." -- Tina Brooks McKinney, author of Lawd, Mo' Drama, Fool, Stop Trippin', All That Drama

"An absorbing and poignant tale that interweaves the lives of these characters. The voices rhythmically alternate between first and third person echoing social injustices from the past to modern times." -- Allison Hobbs, author of The Climax, A Bona Fide Gold Digger, Double Dippin' on The Badness

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Strebor Books; Original edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593091761
• ISBN-13: 978-1593091767
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #980,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Situations and Dilemmas, June 18, 2008

By 

D. Frazier (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Come Get Some (Strebor on the Streetz) (Paperback)

Come Get Some by Nane Quartay is the story of four friends who struggled with the cards they were dealt the best way they could.

Magwump was the ghetto prophet. Though young, he was wise beyond his years. So much so that spewing his wisdom at a police officer cost him more than he bargained for.

Whiteboy Paul was far from the angel of the group. In a time in his life where sex equaled love, Paul partook in an intimate relationship with his teacher that ultimately affected his relationships. The experience could very well be fulfilling or disastrous for them both. But who has more to lose?

Truit was the most misunderstood of them all; a real ladies man on the surface. But deep down, he had desires that he was sure no one would understand.

Wilmon was the youngest of the crew. And he loved the fact that he felt at home among Magwump, Whiteboy Paul, and Truit. With an unsupportive mother, Wilmon had very few people who cared about him, especially after his accident had him seeking refuge in writing on walls and foolishly babbling.

Come Get Some is a story that left me in the grips of hurt. Quartay has a knack for creating vivid imagery and swallowed me in some of the scenes. The characterization was great and the story had a lot of depth, but when it came to connecting the dots, I just could not do it. There were a few holes in the plot that needed to be filled. A major conflict was introduced, but never developed which may have something to do with the void I felt while reading. Come Get Some is a compelling account of the lives of the four men and with better development could easily become a must-read for urban fiction fans.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier

APOOO BookClub

5.0 out of 5 stars As a Mixed Girl I found it to be real, April 26, 2009

By 

Teresa Rae Butler "teresa rae" (milwaukee wi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Come Get Some (Strebor on the Streetz) (Paperback)

You know, I am drawn to books about black and white, but Come Get Some made me see the gray. It is the kind of read that allows one to step back into the lives of young people in this country and see the kind of upside down thinking that entangles lives between them, like it or not. This is a book about friendships, haters and lovers all sopped up with hard decisions. A damn good read for the clueless. Come Get Some.

5.0 out of 5 stars The sad reality of growing up, June 6, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Come Get Some (Strebor on the Streetz) (Paperback)

The sad reality of growing up - and everyone faces different, yet similar challenges. "Come Get Some" is a look into the high school lives of urban black youth, filled with conflict - morality stops being black and white, sexual innocence is no more, and faced with the fact that some people hate them for something as frivolous as the color of their skin. Deftly written, "Come Get Some" is a harsh look at the real world that these young men and women face, highly recommended to community library urban fiction collections and for any who want something to relate to in their books.