Father Found [Paperback]

RM Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2001

With the same passion and insight he brought to The Harris Men, RM Johnson offers a gripping look at a pressing social issue -- and a rare window into the contemporary male psyche.

Father Found

As founder of an organization that tracks down deadbeat dads and holds them accountable to the children they abandoned, Zale Rowen is no ordinary nine-to-fiver. Fiercely devoted to Father Found and its mission, he is all but obsessed. And though Zale's heart is in the right place, his life begins to spiral out of control as he is pulled further into Chicago's underbelly in his pursuit of homeless youth and delinquent dads. Soon he is ruining his most valued relationships, jeopardizing his life, and undermining the very organization for which he has sacrificed everything.

Forced to take a step back and examine his behavior, Zale is finally beginning to face the dark, long-repressed secrets motivating him when he is blindsided by a shocking revelation that challenges everything he holds true.

As in his acclaimed debut, RM Johnson weaves a deeply engaging novel of family and self-sacrifice. Unflinching yet compassionate, Father Found is a testament to the power of forgiveness, and a striking commentary on our times.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Zale Rowen's nonprofit organization Father Found finds deadbeat dads and helps them to at least contact their children and be a part of their lives. But his good intentions have turned into a single-minded, torturous nightmare for the men he says he only wants to help. Zale is obsessed with his work, driven by memories of childhood abuse by his drugged-out mom and a foster caregiver. Ex-cop Frank Rames, who once saved Zale's life, does legwork for the organization and is haunted by the death of his son in a drunk driving accident he caused. But unknown to Zale, Frank doles out beatings to the men he finds in order to get them to comply. Zale's business partner, Martin Carter, has problems with his unfaithful wife, and the business itself is nearly bankrupt. Like Johnson's first novel, The Harris Men (LJ 4/15/99), the book is well intentioned yet rather depressing. The women are one-dimensional, while the men are bullies with selfish, forgettable personalities and hidden agendas. Such a serious plot could have used a little comic relief and characters whom readers could care about. Mildly recommended for large libraries seeking African American fiction.
-Shirley Gibson Coleman, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Father Found is a Chicago-based organization established by Zaleford Rowen to reunite children with their absent fathers. However, Zale's unrelenting, all-consuming, 24-hour-a-day mission has led him to turn a deaf ear to his partners' warnings and a blind eye to his investigator's tactics. Zale is so consumed with his own personal misfortune that he takes no interest in himself and finds himself spiraling down into truths that are unhealthy and dangerous. He becomes so obsessed with the mission of the organization that he no longer takes pride in his appearance, care of his health, or quality time for his mate. Zale's judgment is clouded and his position is irrational. With all of his feelings about fatherhood, learning that he is an absentee father himself is the catalyst that brings him to some hard-and-fast personal changes and positions. Zale finally comes to soften his approach so that his supporters, clients, and naysayers will appreciate and respect his zealousness. A compelling second novel from Johnson, author of The Harris Men (1999). Lillian Lewis --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square Press (January 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074341246X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743412469
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,456,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Dark Story!, October 4, 2000

By 

Yasmin Coleman (PENNSYLVANIA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: FATHER FOUND : A Novel (Hardcover)

Father Found is a provocative, riveting and emotionally chilling sophomore effort by RM Johnson. The story is graphically violent and not for the weak of heart that faint easily; this is not a warm, fuzzy book. In Father Found we travel down the mean-streets of Chicago with Zale Rowen who's on a mission to reunite every child with its father. The mission isn't a bad one but its one that's to the expense of everything else in Zale's life including his health, relationships with others and mental well-being. Zale and his partners, Frank and Martin, utilize measures to reunite fathers with family members which are sometimes ruthless, questionable and in some instances just downright violent. Zale justifies his actions by his past; Frank justifies his actions by his past, and Martin well he is just so confused and mixed up that he fits in with the other two dysfunctional characters. Johnson does a superb job in providing vivid imagery and scenery to help the reader witness the actual acts that occur throughout the book as well as the emotions of the key characters. These men were filled with so much rage, anger and conflict that sometimes one had to put the book aside and shake off that negative feeling before continuing on. Father Found was very well written and was raw, gripping and intense along with being very violent, dark and depressing. The plot twists and turns were shocking and emotional and oftentimes left you aching in the pit of your stomach. In the end, Johnson tried to leave us on an upbeat note but it might have been too little, too sugar coated and too late. I recommend this book to all that enjoy excellent writing no matter the subject/title; books that challenge you emotionally and books which are insightful and hard-hitting.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought It. Read It. Love It., July 5, 2000

By 

Kazmina Wilson (Falls Church, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FATHER FOUND : A Novel (Hardcover)

"Father Found" is dark, deep, fantastic. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page. My husband was ready to hook me up to an I.V. The kids lived on pizza and pop tarts for two whole days. I was about to start reading "The Harris Men" but my husband hid the book. Not until I cook enough meals to last through a reading, he insists. Need I say more?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful Where You Dip Your Stick..., July 19, 2000

By 

Henry Carter (Decatur, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FATHER FOUND : A Novel (Hardcover)

Or Zale will be coming to get you! Man! Talk about drama. This brother did not play. He went all out for those fellas who were trying to duck out on their kids. I've never read anything like this in my life. 'Father Found' is some seriously heavy stuff. R.M. Johnson took me places no book has ever tread before.