Good Peoples [Hardcover]

Marcus Major (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2000

In the tradition of Eric Jerome Dickey-a sexy, sensitive, and sharp-witted novel from a bright new talent

Myles Moore, a twenty-eight-year-old African-American man living in a suburb of Philadelphia, is at a crossroads. Despite his attempts to convince himself that there is virtue in solitude, he has recently seen his brother and his best friend find loving relationships, making it harder than ever for him to be alone. But one day everything changes in an instant when a magical summer breeze wafts into his life carrying upon it the sweetest symphony his ears have ever heard . . . the voice of Marisa Marrero. Marisa appears to be perfect-she's gorgeous, funny, smart, and successful-but she's also human. In exchange for the partnership he always wanted, Myles will have to put aside his male ego long enough to try to understand the complex person behind the mysterious woman he claims to love. In a novel filled with fresh, sensitive, and intelligent characters, and witty dialogue, Marcus Major writes with stylish rhythm and good humor, delivering a novel of intriguing depth.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A first novel, set in African-American and Latino communities, that offers some heartfelt insights gleaned from the bumpy road of courtship. Though nearly 30, Myles Moore has convinced himself that hes perfectly content with his single statusas a grade-school teacher, hes busy and surrounded by a close circle of friends, and hes willing to forgo dating while he waits for the right woman. And in she walks at a mutual friends house party (the meeting is a set-up, but the skittish Myles doesnt know it until much later); literally bumping into Myles is the beautiful, feisty Marisa Marrero. Marisa is relocating from her lucrative career as an attorney in Washington, D.C., to begin a radio talk show in Philadelphia, and Myles is more than happy to help her get settled ingoing as far as to suggest she take the vacant apartment across the hall from his, allowing for an almost live-in relationship from the start. Myles, gentle and caring, is a far cry from the usual self-involved high-rollers Marisa is accustomed to, while, for him, Marisa is perfection. The problems and triumphs the two encounter are smallless the stuff of fiction than the stuff of real life. Myles is overly emotional, Marisa coldly intellectual, refusing to share anything with him, including the heartache of her childhood as a Cuban refugee. Will she learn to trust Mylesand herself? Can Myles learn patience and restraint? Its little surprise that true love wins, the peaks and valleys of the relationship here being only slightly more significant to the novel than the witty contours of Myles life: talkin trash on the basketball court, raucous romantic advice being doled out by his older brother, Myles valuing the tender relationship he has with his two nieces. Major, with a gift for dialogue, creates an amiable workthough small in scale, it serves as a companionable distraction into the territory of romantic love. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

Dynamic. -- City News

Humorous...witty...Major shows much talent as he provides an entertaning relationship drama. -- Midwest Book Review

Offers some heartfelt insights gleaned from the bumpy road of courtship. -- Kirkus Reviews

Rollicking. -- Book Page

Sexy, sensitive...in the tradition of Eric Jerome Dickey. -- New Pittsburg Courier --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (March 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525945350
• ISBN-13: 978-0525945352
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive debut, February 29, 2000

By 

Cydney Rax "rmn1994" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Peoples (Hardcover)

"Good Peoples" by Marcus Major is an impressive debut. The story includes all the ingredients of a great read: romance, humor, insight, vivid and memorable characters, and strong writing. The main character Myles is a schoolteacher who's been unlucky in love; that is, until he meets the sultry Marisa who promptly knocks him off his feet. You will enjoy how the writer develops the relationship between Myles and Marisa, the ups and downs of their relationship, and you'll be trembling near the end as you wait to see if their love can withstand certain issues. There's some laugh out loud scenes in the book, some endearing moments with Myles, and some interesting observations from the outspoken brother Amir. Don't want to tell it all, just want to say it is a good book, and is highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Wait, November 4, 2000

By 

lpb (chicago, il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Peoples (Hardcover)

What a witty & wonderfully uplifting love story! And what a nice twist: the book is written from a male perspective and the main characters are African-American & Latino. A rare combination indeed! Ladies, if you're searching to read a romantic man's point of view regarding love & relationships, Good Peoples is the novel for you. Men, need a few how-to pointers and/or encouragement to hold out for that special lady despite typical 'home-boy' pressure? This too is the novel for you! Marcus Major has obviously written this exciting novel based on personal experience, observation & meaningful relationships with others. For those of us who still choose to wait on genuine love and believe that, that special person really does exist 'somewhere' on this planet - - read on... Through lead characters Myles & Marissa each reader will find some part of themselves re-enacted, either from the past or present. Hats off to Marcus Major! He forces us to not give up hope that in the end it IS worth waiting for love and to remember that anything (or anyone) worth having is also worth working for.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Hear It For The Boy!, September 9, 2000

By 

Stephon Joles (Southern New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Peoples (Hardcover)

I was first drawn to this book because the man on the cover holding that rose looks like me from the back. Then I discovered the author was local. I read this exceptional novel in two days! The story line was fresh, Amir was right on, and I enjoyed the spanish lingo. Some of the Amazon reviewers were concerned with Marissa's issues but what about Myles? I believe he scared her by being so accessible to her; most woman say they want that type of man. I think women want someone they feel they have earned. I would have adviced Myles to let Marissa miss him. The best thing about this book is the conversations it sparks. I (like Myles Moore) am a professional, and after I read this book I passed it to some colleagues and friends. Now that everyone has read the book, when we get together the book comes up, and it is amazing to me how the women see things so differently than us men. We all agreed that the ending was appropriate and believable. I'm hoping Mr. Major revisits these characters again in a future novel.