Customer Reviews

Harlem

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

 

 

Personally, I am confused about some of the previous reviews from people who couldn't appreciate Mr. Riley's talent. I loved the book! I read an average of 3-4 books a week and Harlem is hands down one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. His character development was excellent, his descriptions of Harlem were outstanding and the storyline was superb. This book was in a word, the BOMB!

Mr. Riley spent many years writing this book and it shows!!!
I could not put it down. I hope that many will enjoy it as I have. Get it!! Read it!!! Mr. Riley passed away 7 years ago right after the book was published. He was very happy with his work. It was his dream. We loved him very much.

I must admit I had mixed emotions about reading this book after reading a few of the customer reviews. After having finished it, I still have mixed emotions. I couldn't get into it. Too many plots were brought up and left incomplete or under developed. Overall, the story line reminded me of that loose thread that you can't seem to cut right. The more you pull on it, the more you unravel until eventually you just wished you never tried to trim (read it) in the first place.

At best this was the typical country bumpkins go to the big city story. They fall on hard times, etc., etc. Once you've read one like it, you've read them all. Nothing new about this one I'm sorry to report.

I read this book in two days. This is an excellent read. The story line was incredible. I'm am looking forward to Mr. Riley's next book. You must get this book. You will love. It will not disappoint you.

This was an excellent book. It's indescribable. That's all I can say. One would have to read it to enjoy the flow of this really good story. I can't wait for Len Riley's next novel.

i enjoyed it. it was a great history lesson regarding the harlem renaissance and described what a rent party was all about to me.

Very good reading, Harlem will keep you up at night. Characters are real people who wiill stays in your mine all day while your at work. Billie taught me that forgiving is the answer to keeping family members together no matter what !!!

I finished this book last night and, for the first time in my life, I went looking for a way to contact an author to tell him just how wonderful and meaningful his book was to me. I have found out online that Len Riley is dead, so I sent up a prayer to tell him how great it was. This man really had a feel for the thought processes of women, in particular, I thought, but his descriptions of the Harlem street and jazz scene had me in it's grasp the whole read. He wrote in such a way that I could smell the gin, the city breeze, the perfumes, the pork chops and the sulphurous flash bulb effluvium as the twenties laid down for the thirties. He wrote in an impartial, non racist way, that let everyone in on the action. His sympathy for his characters was palpable. My only real regret with the book was it's failure to draw in more about Rose's husband, Charles Payton. His character, in particular his racist and sexist aspects, were brilliantly portrayed early in the book, only to be forgotten 'til the end. That was a loss for me. Otherwise, it was one of the few books that I read more and more slowly as I continued, not wanting it to be over. I envy those who have yet to read it for the first time.

What a joy to read something so real, yet fictional. The characters made you feel as if you were a part of the Harlem Renaissance. If you are a true reader this is a must have for your collection. When will the next Len Riley novel be available???

This book picked by curiosity to the highest degree. I could not wait to find out what Virgina would do first of all when Geneva would not acknowledge them as part of her family and later when her man Lester was sent to prison. Billie showed me that she could truly past any test of committment by displaying strong family ties all the way to the end and especially to accept Geneva back into her life after all she sent her family through. This book truly gave insight into the selfishness and greed that envelopes some of us in this world of hate and humility. However the ending made up for all the trials and tribulations that were presented. I loved this book and can not wait until the next one. Thank you Mr. Riley for a truly wonderful book.