The Hearts of Men: A Novel (Strivers Row) [Paperback]

Travis Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Strivers Row | Publication Date: May 29, 2001

Tall, dark, and handsome, Prodigy Banks was once a playboy. Now he’s a man any mother would be proud to call her son, and when he meets Nina, the mother of the young boy he mentors, it seems that life is going to get even better. But when his past threatens his newfound respectability, Prodigy has to act fast to protect his new relationship.

Bernard Charles is haunted by childhood memories of abandonment and poverty. His workaholic ways frustrate his wife, Diane, and leave her vulnerable to another man’s advances. After her betrayal, will Bernard move on or move out?

Winston “Poppa Doc” Fuller has a fix for what’s ailing the younger generation. Married for more than forty years to his beloved Ethel, Winston brings healing to everyone he touches. Yet despite his best efforts, he hasn’t been able to reach his own thirty-three-year-old son—a situation that soon requires urgent resolution, because as Poppa Doc tells his son: “I love you, but I’m not proud of you. Make me proud of you before I leave this earth.”

In his marvelous debut novel, Travis Hunter has crafted a tale that is funny, sexy, and touching—revealing what it truly means to have the heart of a man.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What his prose lacks in sophistication, Hunter makes up for in earnestness in this debut novel about the suburban African-American experience. Prodigy Banks works at a large Atlanta finance company, often paying more attention to his female co-workers than to his job. Despite his lady-killer habits, the handsome Prodigy is a picture of respectability, going to church, taking good care of his house and serving as a role model for his cousin Jermaine, who hasn't left the streets behind as quickly as Prodigy. Under the influence of his father figure Poppa Doc, Prodigy volunteers at a youth center, where he meets the adorable Blake and Blake's even more charming mother, Nina. She offers Prodigy his first chance to settle down, and he has to weigh that offer while trying to serve as peacemaker for the domestic disputes of his friends and family. Meanwhile, Poppa Doc has his own problems to work out, trying to motivate his spoiled son and restore some love to his daughter's marriage. Hunter has no confidence in subtext; he explains every gesture for the reader's benefit and his characters speak as if reading from the world's least subtle cue cards. Prodigy, in particular, is given to mouthing public service announcements about the black man's responsibility to family life. Still, Hunter's agenda is the strength of this book; even cynical readers may be won over by his relentless positive message and push for African-American communities built on respect and love. (June)Forecast: Like Shades of Jade, above, and Soul Mates Dissipate, below, this novel was a self-published hit; Villard is sending Hunter on an eight-city tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Prodigy Banks, street hustler turned clean-cut man, has not convinced everyone that his new image is sincere. His days as a womanizer and violent predator cause him to struggle with maintaining his new life devoid of past temptations. Winston "Papa Doc" Fuller is the family and community elder, mentor, and man of wisdom. Yet his kind words and understanding nature have not motivated his only son. As Papa Doc deals with his lung cancer diagnosis, he hopes he can prepare his son for responsibility before he dies. Bernard Charles, Papa Doc's son-in-law, has grown up with only memories of his mother. Because of his less-than-ideal childhood, he now struggles with providing for his family. He is forced to choose between resolving issues with his wife or moving out. These men are forced to deal with self-definitions of manhood as well as how other people define being a man. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: One World/Strivers Row; Reprint edition (May 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375757090
• ISBN-13: 978-0375757099
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,034,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born Florence, South Carolina. I grew up playing football and basketball like most of the other kids around my way. I never thought I'd be an author. I always hated reading and God forbid writing. So being the smart woman that she is, my mother used reading as a form of punishment for me when I acted up. Little did I know she was planting a very important seed. One that would one day turn into a career. I decided to start writing because I couldn't find any good books with positive African American male leads. So I decided to take a leap of faith and wrote my first novel, The Hearts of Men. I self published THOM and after selling a little over six thousand copies in about two months, I was approached by Random House. They republished The Hearts of Men. After that, I was bitten by the writing bug and now I'm on a role. Married But Still Looking, Trouble Man, A One Woman Man, Something to Die For, A Family Sin, Dark Child and the latest, Momma's a Virgin. I have three young adult novels; Two The Hard Way, At the Cross Roads, On the Come Up and the forthcoming novel about bullies; The Last Laugh. My novels are all quick reads. I could kill lots of trees with pages and pages of fluff but I prefer to give you mostly the meat and potatoes of the story. Im very passionate about my non-profit THe Hearts of Men Foundation. (www.theheartsofmen.org) Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Miss Out, September 20, 2000

By 

"misslove" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hearts of Men (Paperback)

In a spirited voice full of positive energy, Travis Hunt infiltrates your mind with vivid, poignant characters laced with a soaring dialogue that indulges your imagination and provokes your emotions. Travis' debut novel delves into the secret crevices of three generations of black men's minds exposing the flaming perils and boisterous battles that occur, in The Hearts of Men.

Allow yourself to be transported into the lives of Prodigy, Bernard, and Poppa Doc, and witness how REAL men confront love, obstacles, and responsibilities. Journey into a world of supportive, strong black men that willingly admit mistakes, assault their faults, and accept responsibility.

Ladies, while reading The Hearts of Men, you won't be waiting to exhale; instead, you'll be panting and receiving an over abundance of oxygen. Witness men making positive changes and sacrifices. You'll meet men who celebrate being fathers, revel in being husbands, and respect their women.

Consequently, you know that everyone's starting point isn't the same, and that we all reach our perspective destinations sporadically. With that in mind, sit back with this sparkling novel and take the journey.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story about men, July 16, 2000

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Hearts of Men (Paperback)

This book shows how men can feel about love, responsibility and relationships. They do have a heart, though sometimes the ice has to be chipped from around it. I especially loved how Blake attached himself to Prodigy and made him his role model. And Poppa Doc, everybody knows one, he is full of wisdom, but its up to you to listen, heed, and follow good advice. Prodigy did, and things turned out well for him. The end was a real tearjerker, but each tear I shed was happy tears.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Men really do have Hearts, June 7, 2001

By 

JERRIE YOUNG (CHICAGO, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hearts of Men: A Novel (Strivers Row) (Paperback)

I enjoyed the characters in this book very much. I enjoyed the many up to date scenarios that took place in the book. I wish that this book could be read by all African Americans. Prodigy has shown us how to relate to everyone in our villages that has problems. We need more father figures like Poppa Doc to step up to the plate. Even though it took some time for Pappa Doc to get his point accross to his son it did not stop him from helping others.

Even though this book is fiction I'm sure most people can relate to all the characters. I also loved Travis Hunter's writing style. Keep on writing.