Customer Reviews

Feenin : A Novel

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

 

 

Feenin by Nane Quartay is a story which encompasses a modern day survival of
the fittest theme. The story which is set in Albany, New York follows the life
of Tokus Stone. Tokus is a young black man who was abandoned by his mother
when he was fourteen and left to raise and care for himself. Tokus survived
life on his own by becoming a street hustler. He sold drugs as a means
to an end and constantly dreamed of a life without illegal activity.

After Tokus graduated from high school, he went to college during the day while
maintaining his street hustle at night. He managed to avoid the long arm of
the law the whole time. However during the last night in his illegal trade, he
has an encounter that results in the death of an addict and a corrupt cop
picking up his trial. Tokus' encounter with "Five-O" changes his life at a
time when he thought he was doing the changing.

Feenin is a complicated tale that introduces several characters who are victims
of life's various injustices. The people are plagued with everything from drug
addiction to incest to greed. Many of these characters are introduced,
seemingly, abruptly, but if you hang in there with the story, things become
clearer. Where Tokus is the hero in this story, Way Jalon, a power hungry
millionaire racist is the villain. Before all is said and done, Tokus and Way
are engaged in an old fashioned good versus evil battle.

Nane Quartay writes well and makes good use of metaphors and description.
Sometimes the description becomes a little disturbing when you realize a drug
induced high is being described in vivid, colorful detail or that the
description is being used as social commentary. After reading the final words
of Feenin, I felt a sense of injustice and some of the cruel irony that runs as
an undercurrent throughout the novel. I can only wonder if that was the
author's intention.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD)

Edge of your seat reading from the first page. Nane Quartay came out with a bang and his writing style is magnificent. I read the book in 12 hours and could not put it down. We all probably know a Tokus somewhere in our life...and if you don't it is a possibility that your are witnessing one being made in front of your eyes. There is a lesson in the reading.

Feenin is a story about drugs, violence, and life in the ghetto. It was very exciting to me to read. I have read many books but never one like it. At the beginning of the book it didn't catch my attention. At some point in the third chapter I got confused because the author introduced a new character with the name similar to the main character Tokus. I guess the author tried to make the book confusing for more excitement for the reader.

I have judgmental opinions about the book. This book makes you notice things that happen in everyday situation. The important theme of the book has to do with drugs and how it becomes deadly when people get addicted. The author Nane Quartay has different ways of expressing her thoughts. He uses strong language making the characters realistic as to everyday life in the ghetto. I fell that I can connect with the book because I see certain things that happen like people using drugs.

Tokus is the main character in the book. Tokus had a difficult childhood. In his teen years he was left to manage and care for himself. Tokus decided that he would sell drugs to support himself. Tokus later gradated high school and went off to college. Even though he went to college he still had his street hustle at night. The book continues to add new characters, making the book more exciting and having a twist to each chapter.

I enjoyed reading this book. I have always heard people saying that Feenin was a good book and a lot of people can relate to. The book had many surprises and twist which made more fun to read. I look forward to reading another book by Nane Quartay and hopefully it would be as good as Feenin. "If I had to pick a life it won't be the hardcore hustlers I once was" said Tokus. I recommend this book to all who enjoy strong and powerful books.

Abandoned at age fourteen by his mother and abusive stepfather, Tokus Stone must now take care of himself. In order to do that, he sells drugs for survival. He finishes high school and goes onto college. Tokus is looking forward to graduation, which will end his drug dealing days and begin a new and better life.

The powerful Way Jalon offers Tokus a job at his college graduation ceremony . But unbeknownst to Tokus, this wonderful opportunity is a hoax. Way has set up this new company as a cover up for the new drug, Feenin. This drug is so new - it isn't even illegal yet. Once the authorities find out about it, someone will have to take the fall.

Nane Quartay used vivid descriptions in this novel. However, I got lost in the middle of this book when the scene abruptly shifted and I was introduced to new characters. I thought I was reading a different book. It took a few chapters for me to figure out what was going on. Nevertheless, Feenin is a book that I would recommend to others for a quick read.

Dee Stewart

R.E.A.L. Reviewers

Talk about a horrible childhood and you would be referring to Tokus Stone. Abandoned by his mother and stepfather at an early age, he literally grew up in the streets. Tokus is an example of being in an environment but not a product of it. He emerged from his miserable surroundings into a true self-made man by setting and attaining goals inspired by incredible self-motivation. Don't get me wrong, he certainly wasn't perfect and this confirms the firm belief that "you can't run from your past". As such, some of the trials of being a drug dealer and a common street hustler came back to haunt him but, overall the reader can develop a sense of pride in his accomplishments.

The flip side of the Tokus' coin belongs to Way Jalon. Old money, coupled with a life bred in the toil of others to do his bidding, Way Jalon has his sights set on destroying mankind. He plans on using Tokus as the catalyst. The weapon of choice? A new drug on the market called Feenin. Most powerful for several factors, the most detrimental is its ability to completely kill a community without them recognizing its effects. Unwillingly and unknowingly, Tokus becomes the front man for this sinister operation.

The collision of the worlds of these two men is a fascinating journey and I marvel at the literary prowess of Nane Quartay. The characters were enough to give a well-rounded story and each was developed far more than I had originally given the book credit for. For instance, the transformation of the character whose nickname was Bug, into his new name of T'Challa. The mental image we have of bugs and the low regard we have for such creatures in society, coupled with the idea that bugs are timid and scared of humans. The transformation of a person merely by a name change is profound. The author's use of language to paint a crystal clear image of the effects drugs have on a community is powerful. I expected this to be a "ghetto" or "street" novel but now I would have to characterize it differently. It is more poetic with symbolism and imagery, pregnant with imaginative plot twists and resounding with a clear moral outcome. Feenin is an exceptional novel.