Gutter: A Novel [Paperback]

K'wan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2008

The explosive sequel to GANGSTA has finally arrived!

 

Blood answers for blood on the streets of Harlem. It’s been months since Lou-loc was brutally murdered on his way to freedom and the pain is still fresh. Gutter, Lou-loc’s best friend, finds himself on a path to self destruction, vowing to eradicate the entire Blood faction in New York City in the name of his fallen comrade. Sharell urges him to abandon the suicide mission, but his oath won’t allow it. Not even for the child they are expecting. But as Gutter slips further into madness, a shocking revelation brings Satin out. In the middle of all this is a man named Major Blood. He has been flown in from Cali with two very simple instructions. Shut down Harlem Crip, and execute El Diablo’s murderer. Walk back into the mouth of madness in the not-to-missed sequel to GANGSTA.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the sequel to Gangsta, K'wan offers a gritty and explosive cautionary tale. Kenyatta Soladine, aka Gutter, is an Algerian immigrant and head of the Harlem Crips, recently recovered from a gunshot-induced coma to learn that his best friend has been murdered by the rival Bloods. Overcome with guilt and rage, Gutter and his gang seek revenge by killing not just those responsible, but every member of the Bloods in town, despite the protests of Gutter's wife, Sharell, his business associates and his advisers. In response, the Bloods import some serious help from Los Angeles: Major Blood, a deranged and murderous sociopath with an age-old vendetta against the Soladine family. Plenty of mayhem follows, taking in gangsters, their families and innocent bystanders on both coasts. Hard-to-ignore structural problems and predictable, clichéd plot developments will frustrate, and tacked-on prologue and epilogue will confuse. K'wan does have his eyes and ears to the street, believably detailing his characters' dialogue and reactions, but goes little further. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“The big draw draw here is the electric prose, which is imbued with profane, comic lyricism."--Publishers Weekly on HOOD RAT

"One of hip-hop fiction's hottest authors. . .fans will appreciate many of the qualities that make K'wan a writer to check for: gritty settings, memorable dialogue and authentic action." --KING magazine on Street Dreams

“This gangsta romp is indisputably a page-turner.” ---Library Journal on Eve

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312360096
• ISBN-13: 978-0312360092
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

K'wan is the author of Gangsta, Road Dawgz, Street Dreams, Hoodlum, Eve, Gutter, Blow, as well as the widely popular Hood Rat Series: Hood Rat, Still Hood, Section 8

His is also a contributing author in The Game, Flexin & Sexin, and Flirt

For more info visit www.kwanfoye.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legacies, September 2, 2008

By 

OOSA Online Book Club "O.O.S.A. Gets It Read!" (World Wide Web, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gutter: A Novel (Paperback)

GUTTER is the long awaited sequel to K'wan's very first novel. To say that it's colossal would be like saying water is wet. Captivated by the excessive hunger, readers are instantly caught up in a vicious war. And while you may know that it's wrong, you feel yourself shift as you've instantly chosen a side. Your heart is beating in your ears as the first bullet is chambered. Afflicted with guilt, terrorized and terrified, but at the first sight of blood, you're unable to turn away. Like a leech, you read on, thirsting and needing more.

GUTTER begins with best friends Kenyatta, aka Dollar, and Louis, aka Baby Loc, talking about what Dollar has done to ruffle feathers. Dollar decides that the only way to make sense about what is going on is to start from the beginning...

Lou-Loc is dead and as a result of it, Gutter is laying everything red down! Sharell is pregnant and fearful that her man won't survive, and poor Satin is grieving while being held prisoner by her own mind. Remarkably enough, while obviously so much time has elapsed, you're still able to recall each scene like it was just yesterday.

K'wan is truly an exceptional author. Admittedly, I felt guilty each time I turned the page. But like a soldier caught in the mist, I welcomed each challenge. I can earnestly say that GUTTER has awakened my thirst for the grittiness and heartache associated with the hood. While this dosage was enough to hold me off, I am looking forward to another hit and soon. GUTTER is truly an engaging urban tragedy that shines light on what it is to truly be a product of one's environment.


Reviewed by Crystal

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The OG is back better beware!!!, October 12, 2008

By 

SiStar Tea "ARC Book Club Inc." (Bronx, NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gutter: A Novel (Paperback)

Kwan has done the damn thing!!!!!. I read Gangsta right before I read Gutter as so much time had passed since the release of Gangsta. Kwan has come with the gritty and I truly know more about "gang banging" then I EVER wanted to know.

It's the year 2021 and we're taking a walk thru memory lane with the OG's seeds Kenyatta aka Dollar and Louis aka Baby Loc. Dollar goes on her own fishing expedition into her and her best friend's father past. What she learns will shock all of us. Dollar takes us back into Harlem where the beast in Gutter was unleashed after the death of Lou Loc. Everyone on the wrong color barrier will pay for taking his best friend away. Kwan brings back some of the characters from Gangsta back. Satin, Snake Eyes, Sharell, Pop Top even Jesus makes a guest appearance. Kwan brings us up to speed on what has been popping with them. Kwan introduces us to a host of new characters. This story is so entertaining I did not want to put it down. Kwan has a way with words like no other. This excellent author has a way of drawing the reader into the story. Just like its predecessor this sure to be a hood classic.

This is my fifth book of Kwan's that I have read and he just keeps getting better and better. I am a fan for life. I eagerly await his next novel and if you read Gutter you also know what it is. Mums the word on my account you gotta cop this book to find that answer out.


SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
5 star rating

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gutter is As Gutter Does!, September 21, 2008

By 

Lela "TLC" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gutter: A Novel (Paperback)

Seems like today everybody wants to write a sequel, but few are worthy. K'wan's GUTTER definitely falls in the small group of those that clearly know what they are doing. K'wan packs his pages with details and drama. Then there's the character of Gutter, an interesting man. An intriguing tale, this book is well worth reading and also warns readers of the consequences of living life on the streets. Put GUTTER atop your must read list.