Customer Reviews

The Hearts of Men: A Novel (Strivers Row)

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Initially, I obtained the book just to see "what" a man from a small town in South Carolina (the one in which I currently reside) could possibly say to the world. Giving his age, I could not imagine what he had experienced that could really make a difference. In a span of 5 hours, I found out. (...P>The Hearts of Men exemplified reality, truth, and an understanding that most people do not realize that men encounter.

I concluded the book looking differently at the relationships I have not just with my fiancee`, but with my father, my brother and my male friends. I began to look with my heart and not just my eyes into the daily issues, including relationships, that these men had to deal with.

Then I realized that Mr. Hunter not only had something to say, in his book, he said something. And there is a difference.

Thank you, Travis, for opening my eyes to some things. Whether intentionally or not, you accomplished what you aimed to do. And even if I am the only one who feels the way that I do, even though I know I am not since your book has been on backorder for months now, you've made a difference.

God bless!

Your homegirl...

Here we go again. Some might say I am feeling this book and this author because he writes so lifelike. I feel like I know the men in the story. This one kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation as to how the story would unfold.

Keep up the good work Travis!

This was the second book I read by Travis Hunter, and it was an "awesome read" just like the first (A One Woman Man). I'm not an emotional person, but this book took me on a roller coaster ride from happy to sad, from sad to happy, from calm to angry, from angry to calm, etc...I wasn't prepared for the book's ending, but it was EXCELLENT nonetheless.

All of the characters contributed to the success of this story, and the book wouldn't have been the same without them (Prodigy, Bernard, and Poppa Doc). I'm always looking for "another good book to read" and I can honestly say I found one in The Hearts of Men. Normally, I'm a well-rounded individual who tries to find time for everything. When I'm reading a novel by Travis Hunter, my ONLY priority is finishing.

Travis Hunter has truly captured the hearts and souls of African American men in his debut novel The Hearts of Men. The characters are full of life and most importantly possess the qualities and characteristics of people that we all encounter at some point in our lives. Prodigy Banks is a believable representation of the single black man out and about in present day society. With a complicated past and a tendency to make quick decisions he will later regret, I think a number of young professionals can identify with his experiences.

Hearts of Men is the kind of book that influences the reader to ask questions pertaining to issues in their own lives, marriages, relationships, and decisions. It is a thought provoking novel that is not afraid to expose the insecurities of both men and women. Bernard Charles and his wife enter a realm that unfortunately many couples face during the course of their lives together. Their interaction is a testimony to what happens when a relationship loses communication and understanding.

Poppa Doc is the grandfather that I personally never had a chance to meet. He brings wisdom, patience, and experience into his circle of family and friends. The sadness surrounding his health issues is removed by the lingering promise that his words will continue to inspire the characters he encounters even if his ailments eventually remove him physically from their lives.

The Hearts of Men is a rare find among African American novels today. It keeps a real perspective while maintaining a positive overall tone. I am excited about Married, But Still Looking. I anticipate that it will be another realistic journey into the lives of everyday, but in their own right, extraordinary people.

In his debut novel, Travis Hunter has done an excellent job of telling the story of three generations of Black Men. The characters, Prodigy, Bernard and Poppa Doc initially are on different paths in The Hearts of Men, but eventually end up on the same trail. You will laugh and cry at this story that every man and women should read. Look out Eric J. Dickey and E. Lynn Harris, Travis Hunter is on the rise.

I have been so encouraged to see the number of relationship books from a man's point of view. The Brothers are out there getting their stories told and not letting the publishing world tell them they can't do it. They are doing it on their own self-publishing, getting the word out.

Prodigy is the type of guy you want to dislike. In the first few pages, I was thinking, this is such an arrogant, self-abosorbed guy. What can he show me. But Mr. Prodigy stepped to the plate when he put aside his childish ways. When his co-worker, Gina, proved to be an easy lay, he became ashamed of his actions. His friend Papa Doc proved to be not only a friend but a savior of sorts by believing in him. Because of Papa Doc Prodigy started doing volunteer work and developed a big brother/father relationship with a cute little boy named Blake. Blake's mother Nina proved to be a lady with dignity who had seen hard times and was about the business of pulling herself up. Now Prodigy had an example of a real lady instead of the trifling women like Simone who was married.

Papa Doc was a friend to a lot of people, getting them jobs and opening his heart and home. Now he was faced with an illness and needed to know that not only was his life in order but that of his children. He wanted his only son to stand up and be a man and take care of his children.

Bernard had issues left over from his mother's abandonment. He was a hard working Brother who took care of his family but unfortunately he had an unhappy wife in Diane. Diane was Papa Doc's daughter and was a daddy's girl. She craved for the attention that Bernard couldn't and wouldn't give her because of his working hours. Noncommunication and stress caused trouble to come into their home.

This novel showed the emotions men feel as they care for their families and the women they love. I look forward to Mr. Hunter's next release.

Hearts Of Men made me cry laugh... speak out loud. I first thought I don't thibk i'm going to like this book but I was wrong I loved this book i don't even know what made me even think that. Poppa Doc was my favorite character in this book it felt just like I knew him in because he was just there at the right times his character was just to real for me. Prodigy was a lucky man to have run into him. As I statred reading I thought here we go again with another palya of the year boy was I wrong Prodigy had is faults but he was a good person at heart. I was so happy for him and nina and Blake because Prodigy is definitely a good role model for him.

Bernard just needed to get his self together he had issues that just needed to be solved. That didn't give Daine the right to do what she did but alls well that ends well and that's exactly what happened.