Customer Reviews

Ms. Etta's Fast House

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Victor McGlothin's latest novel is set in 1947 St. Louis where the music is hot, women are hotter, and Ms. Etta's Fast House is the place to be. The bold, the beautiful, the bad and the good mingle at Ms. Etta's - including the debonair hustler, Baltimore Floyd. Women love him, men want to emulate him, and trouble seems to follow him everywhere.

Friend to many, Baltimore has a cadre that includes the new interns at the renowned Homer G. Phillips hospital as well as some with shadier skills and less than perfect pasts. Penny, an ill-treated girl, who reminds Baltimore of his little sister, is also adopted into the "family". However, change comes in more ways than one on the cusp of Baltimore's arrival in St. Louis. His best friend, Henry, seemingly does a complete reversal leaving the lush life (including a steamy relationship with Ms. Etta) and hurriedly marries a school teacher with a ready-made family. He even foregoes his friendship with Baltimore and Etta to join/integrate the police force - a move that severs ties from his dark past and con-artist friends. However, when Baltimore crosses dirty, racist cops in a `get-rich-quick' scam, sleeps with the "wrong" woman, and ends up on the trial for his life, it is all of his friends (including Henry) that come to his aid, risking their reputation, professions and lives to save him from the gallows in a creative, yet dangerous rescue.

The author blends realism of the times in the sub-plots surrounding the supporting characters: racism and discrimination force top medical minds to practice at segregated facilities; Jim Crow laws impact the character's daily lives (shopping, dining, commuting, sporting events, etc.); and social taboos of interracial dating complicate relationships. The author paints Baltimore as a scoundrel with a big-heart. In addition to Baltimore; Ms. Etta, Penny, Delbert, and Jinx are also lovable characters that readers will love and want to see again. Fast paced, well-conceived (I didn't see some plot twists coming and the sub-plots came together well), with saucy dialogue it is recommended for those seeking a quick, entertaining read.

Reviewed by Phyllis
October 5, 2007
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

Set in 1947, St. Louis, Missouri, this story follows the struggles of many black people during that time period. The Ville was the place to be if you wanted to drink, play cards, or dance the night away with women. Ms. Etta's seen it all and then some in her lifetime. One of her dearest friends, Baltimore Floyd, is a hustler. Always looking for the next scam to make money at. He decides St. Louis is the place to be. His next scam might be his last. The cast of characters include doctors, nurses, cops and society ladies.

This book is a perfect snapshot of 1947 America. I love that it tells the story straight up with no sugar coating it. I'm amazed at the things I learned in this book, even though it's fiction. This sad, poignant story will catch your attention from the first paragraph and not let you go. You feel as though you've stepped back in time.

The only thing I saw wrong was there were so many characters and so many stories being told, it was difficult to keep them all straight. More like a soap opera than a work of fiction.

I listened to this book on CD from the library. I loved it. I will have to buy it. The person reading the book was perfect. It would be a great movie.

Every once in a while - a great while - a book comes along that is written so well that you actually feel as if you are in the story. The writing is so creative and so in-depth that you can smell the food and hear the music - and that is exactly the type of writer that Victor McGlothin is!

In the year 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, a real, true gambler rode into the city in a beautiful car that he had just won in a card game. He was a little down on his luck, and had many friends in this particular city that he knew he could hit up for a few dollars. His arrival begins a story that will change the lives of many men and women - rich and poor alike - for all time.

The Watkins Emporium is a store that was the only one owned by a black man for many blocks, and also the store that the entire neighborhood used for all clothing purchases and almost anything else they needed. Mr. Watkins and his daughter, Chozelle, who is an extremely attractive woman, keep the store going.

This particular day, Halstead King and his daughter, Penny, are in the store where Penny is seriously admiring a dress that she knew she would never be able to have because they simply had no money to buy it. After an argument ensued, her father pushed her out of the store and knocked her to the ground.

Enter...Baltimore Floyd - the aforementioned gambler - who came to the rescue of the damsel in distress. Baltimore is a very handsome and special individual with many talents. One of which is making trouble, and he is very good at it. All the citizens love him including Ms. Etta, who runs a club where celebrities who make beautiful music come to have a good time and entertain the customers.

Baltimore is not interested in getting tied down to any one woman. He is just interested in a few games that will fill his pockets with money in order to get to the next stop on his travels. He gets in some trouble and is accused of a crime that he did not commit and, to keep him from meeting up with the worst fate - a hanging - his friends get together to help him out.

There are so many storylines that are so much fun, it is almost impossible to tell them all. This author has given the reading public an attention-grabbing and hysterically fun read that will take you into 1940's Chicago, and all the murder and mayhem that went with it! Enjoy!

Wow! Honestly, is the first word that comes to mind upon completing this read! Wow..again!

Ms. Etta's Fast House is one of the most engaging, intriguing reads that I've read in a very long time. I've read many of Victor's works, but this one, by far is a super writing and an excellent read.

The setting, St. Louis, Missouri, 1947 captured me initially. Events, well before our time were highlighted as if we were right there. The history was well captured and kept me engaged. The characters were alive and very real! Their strength, attitude and even their faith was one for the archives. I learned a lot...I was on edge...I was emotionally charged! Baltimore Floyd was the bad guy that I loved in spite of his deeds...so bad, he was good! Ms. Etta, the mother, friend, and lover, was the woman, that most of us at some point either have been, or would like to be. Henry Taylor was the bad guy turned good with desires that most men are afraid to see through. Penny, the young, innocent but smart, in tune, "daughter" of the family had the strength of a lioness and the wits of a grown up. The doctors, nurses, lawyers, criminals and preachers'roles will leave you begging for more!

This story is one that can be told and re-told, read and re-read..pick it up..you'll be really glad you did!

What a great read. If you're a fan of the "harlem renaissance era, you are an ideal candidate to read this book. Fun, page turner, history, all in one.

kp

This is the first book I've read by Victor McGlothin, It won't be the last.

This is the second book that I have read of Victor McClothin. It was not as enjoyable as the first book of his I read. I can say that there was a good sense of history on how "negros" lived in the 20's and 30's in America. All in all, it was ok.

The book was well written Kudos to you Mr. McGlothin. I ordered this book the same time I ordered another and I got this one almost a week after I got the other. Lets work on the shipping okay???

This book started off slow for me, but finished a winner. I will definitely read more by this author.