Customer Reviews

Echoes of a Distant Summer

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This sequel to Standing at the Scratch Line is as good as, if not better than, Standing.. It is superb!! For those who have read Standing At The Scratch Line, this novel continues with the saga of the Tremain family. This story picks up with the adult grandson, Jackson, who has been estranged from his grandfather King Tremain for several years. As King is near death, Jackson flies to Mexico to see his grandfather and leaves with a mission and desire that proves he truly is the grandson of King Tremain, whether he likes it or not.

Although this is a lengthy novel, the auhtor uses every word, phrase,page, etc., to draw an in-depth, complete and wonderful picture of who Jackson is, but more importantly the Tremain legacy and past that King has left to his grandson...whether he wants it or not. Although King is assassinated very early on in the book, through well placed, smooth and poignant flashbacks to the 1950's and 1960's, the reader gets much more insight into King Tremain and his life and legacy. Finally, to sum it up "you better ask joe 'cause you sho' don't know" what you are missing if you miss out on the chance to read this wonderful novel.

Do we have to get find and send a director to Guy Johnson with a planeful of actors... someone get this to the big screen! If Tyler Perry can commercialize Madea, I am confused why we can't have these books made into a movie. Heck, I have someone willing to do it! Let's face it, the world isn't a perfect place and less than perfect personalities bring out some interesting public discourse (Black women made Madea). Not all our inspirational people are noble God fearing and pious so why should our make believe "larger than life" folk be any different. One reviewer examined the historic accuracy of the book. While being a noble observation it misses the point that Black Folk, African Americans ...and for that fact Americans and the world need to be able to tell the truth in real historic events let alone the fictional stories. Further, in bring on a sense of Black Folk place in this world, there is still much to do with dismantling the rediculous vision of the timid, unlearned, unpatriotic, lazy, morally bankrupt Black Male that American has underwritten for all these hundreds of years. How long will these perpetuate? Answer: Until Black Folk change these images and begin telling their own stories... one by one; fiction and non-fiction alike. Lord knows, currently there aren't enough Black Historians to undo the less than honest works of the legions of half-truth historians America has seen and not enough Jewish historians to care (much Black is written by our Jewish friends). These stories will, like the lies that preceded them, go a long way toward gaining a foothold on the destiny of human kind everywhere.. not just Black Folk! Our destiny is tied together and human kind will never be whole nor great until nobody is allowed to be viewed as "less than."

Guy Johnson, once again, has written another un-put-downable novel. The plot is so intricate and compelling that the reader reflexively considers the various permutations of the plot-lines as if the story is reality. I am grateful to Johnson for writing about strong, black male characters. He has reinvigorated my interest in black literature. His research is extremely thorough because he creates multilayered and textured settings. From a technical standpoint, Johnson needs to work on his dialogue. No one, especaily not in the '80s, talked with such high-handed vocabularies. His prose remains outstanding, but the characters often sound like talking dictionaries. For instance, instead of saying that a person is preachy, a Johnson character will say "He's didactic." And that's another criticism of the book --Johnson preaches constantly about how blacks should be and what they should be about. His messages -- while true -- are not subtle and, ultimately, off-putting. Dialogue and didacticism notwithstanding, Johnson has shown that he is without question his mother's son. This is a must read for black men everywhere.

Wow! I cried like a baby at the end of this book. Who cares how long it is, you don't even realize it while you're reading it. The story of the relationship between Jackson and his grandfather, King, is so wonderful and amazing. I wish my son could have memories like that - not the violence, but the love and bonding. Again, Guy Johnson, has written an amazing novel of family love, loyalty, and drama! This is a must read, but please read Standing at the Scratch Line first! My book club decided to read this sequel and I'm so glad we did, because we had all fallen in love with King in the first book and now Jackson is there to take his place. These books would be a great mini-series or movie.

The haunting spirit of King Tremain still lurks the land of the living! Often times accompanied by the distinct aroma of cigar smoke - no less Cuban. The metamorphosis of Jackson St. Claire Tremain - the reluctant warrior - into the one whom King proudly declares as "my blood!" is a long arduous transformation. He is like the Prophet Jonah, who disdains his "calling" and does everything to reject his ordained mission. But once the right buttons are pushed, the fire in the belly begins to blaze, having laden dormant for 18 years. The resulting body counts begin to increase. Not as rapidly as with his grandfather - the old man definitely had a penchant for explosives! But, they do mount up. Thanks in no small measure to the insightful generalship of Carlos. He is a wartime consulere that even Michael Corleone would admire! Mr. Guy Johnson set the bar of expectation rather high after the first novel. But for this reader, he definitely meets, and possibly exceeded expectations. Although, I would have liked to see more of Elroy, he did serve perfectly as a vital instrument in the redemption of a haunted soul. HOWEVER, please do not leave us here... The last chapter BEGS for a sequel! There MUST BE a trilogy to this brilliantly woven Tremain family saga.
Mr. Johnson, we are waiting. Surely sir, you smell cigar smoke..?

I was skeptical at first, that him being Maya Angelou's son made him think that was enough to make him a writer. He proved me SOOOO wrong (and I am glad!) I am usually not a fan of the gangster world, but he drew me in so fast with this book. Every bit was a delight to read. I actually read them starting with Echoes, and then moved to Standing, and I thought it worked well, changed my perspective of King. The only disappointment I have is that it's been a few years since these came out, and I haven't seen anything else by him. Hopefully that will change soon.

Bravo to Mr. Johnson for writing such an engaging story! The characters were written so real, I literally lived in their world for two weeks. My only submission of release of Tremain and all the cast characters, was in knowing that I would encounter them again in Mr. Johnson's next novel...so please don't let your fans down. Give us more please!

If you read the first book "Standing in the Scratch Line", then you will be familiar with the saga of King Tremain. This book picks up where the last one left off. It is now 1982 and King Tremain's orphaned grandson, long estranged from both of his grandparents, is pulled back into the family fold when King is assisnated. I won't give it away, but many characters from the first book return in this one, and this book also fills in the gaps from 1947, where the last book stopped. It's a long read but you will not be disappointed. Johnson has a rare talent for character and plot development, and it's a shame that he is not a household name like his Mother (Maya Angelou).

I loved both Guy Johnson's books. Living now in the bay area I can completely see the places he talks about in the book and picture myself there. I love the way he uses retrsopection and how well he links the two. I love Jackson Tremain's character and how the character evolves and changes when confronted with his grandfather's past. Can't believe or agree with Elizabeth's decision at the end, but it makes for a very circle of life kind of ending. Read Standing at the Scratch Line first to get the whole story behind it.

I was breathless from reading this sequel. Guy Johnson is a true griot, in the footsteps of his mother, Maya Angelou. This is the age old saga of two families torn and intertwined. I can't wait for the next installment!