Cry Me A River [Paperback]

Ernest Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

"Ernest Hill has always been a writer of great power and psychological depth, creating characters that resonate brilliantly beyond the boundaries of gender and race. Cry Me A River is a remarkable book. It runs deep and it runs fast." --Robert Olen Butler, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain

An absentee father from a "no good" family, Tyrone Stokes was imprisoned for shooting a man in a convenience store. His wife saw her chance to end their marriage and raise their son, Marcus, on her own. Now Tyrone has returned to Brownsville, Louisiana, to discover that his boy needs help--help that Tyrone is desperate to give, if he can only figure out how.

Marcus has been convicted of the rape and murder of a young white girl. An execution date is set, and it's rumored that the Governor will refuse clemency. Tyrone is convinced Marcus is innocent, despite a stack of evidence against him--but he is also wracked by knowledge of all the ways he has failed his son. Against all odds, Tyrone sets out to keep Marcus alive--and perhaps put his family back together again.

"Hill is a skilled storyteller." --New York Times Book Review

"I couldn't put it down. . .Would fit well on the shelf with the works of Richard Wright and Chester Himes." --Ernest J. Gaines, bestselling author of A Lesson Before Dying

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

At age 40, and after 10 years, Tyrone Stokes has been released from prison. He returns to his mother's home in Louisiana to learn that his 17-year-old son, Marcus, is in jail--on death row for the rape and murder of a young white girl. Tyrone does not really know his son nor has his wife, Pauline, allowed their son to communicate with him, yet he is convinced that Marcus is innocent. With only eight days left before the scheduled execution, Tyrone is hellbent on proving his son's innocence. He begins interviewing people and discovers some interesting facts that put the case against his son in question. Tyrone is willing to put his own safety and freedom in jeopardy to end the suffering that his son, wife, and family have endured because of his incarceration. Keeping his son alive becomes his daily mantra, but just as important is his desire to make up for his absence and put his family back together. This is a strong story for young men of all races. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758202776
• ISBN-13: 978-0758202772
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner to the very End, January 11, 2004

By 

Shelia M Goss (Essence Magazine Best-Selling Author of My Invisible Husband, Delilah, Hollywood Deception and more.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry Me A River (Hardcover)

I felt every emotion as I sat on the edge the whole time reading CRY ME A RIVER. The characters were so believable. Tyrone's quest to save his son was heart-wrenching. This is the first book I've read by Ernest Hill, but after reading this one, I am in search of other books by this very talented writer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Storytelling!, May 24, 2004

By 

Brian K. Walley (Clayton, Delaware) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cry Me A River (Hardcover)

Cry Me A River by Ernest Hill was a powerful story of determination and redemption. Tyrone Stokes, recently released from prison and on parole, learns that his son Marcus has been convicted of murder and he will be executed in 8 days. Although Tyrone doesn't even know where to begin and although he is very limited in what he can do, he is determined to prove that his son was falsely accused and save him from death.

This story was just absolutely amazing and I cannot remember the last time I was afraid to get to the end of a book. This wasn't really a book of "suspense" but it was suspenseful since you didn't know how it was going to end.

This is my first but definitely not last book by Ernest Hill.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a Kind! Buy A Copy For A Friend!, June 27, 2003

By 

Mr. Jeepguy (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry Me A River (Hardcover)

Mr. Hill yields an adept pen in writing Cry Me A River, a breathtaking novel. It is a maelstrom of excellent literary writing. The author has the ability to create such believable characters and the foresight to weave a story that integrates love, redemption and forgiveness. This novel is an epicenter of creative thinking and writing. Kudos, Mr. Hill.

We are all too familiar with crime, absentee fathers, inadequate representation in the justice system, etc. but this novel goes a step further. It illustrates the power of unconditional love for family and its impact on circumstances and situations,needless to say, it tests one's ability to stay steadfast in difficult situations. If you are looking for love, intrigue, suspense and prose that is written eloquently, I suggest you grab some tea and get read for an excellent read.