Hoodlum: A Novel [Paperback]

K'wan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2005

He set out to be the good son, but the streets had a different plan.

Born to one of the city’s most notorious crime families, Shai Clark has always managed to be a good kid. A college hoops star, Shai shunned the world that his father had created and focused on his dreams of going pro. Tommy, Shai’s trigger-happy older brother, is next in line for the throne and rules under his father through brute force. But Poppa has bigger plans for Shai.
The situation soon turns ugly when Poppa is murdered and Tommy is removed from the equation. Suddenly Shai finds himself at the head of his father’s empire and the streets are thrown into chaos. It is then that he must decide whether to pursue his own dreams or put his father’s affairs in order. Unable to sit idly by while the Clarks’ underworld empire is pillaged, Shai takes up his father’s mantle and brings his game to the streets. He quickly learns that there are two sides to every coin, and the streets hold no mercy for the weak.
Hoodlum chronicles three generations of Trinidadian immigrants and their rise to power in the New York City heroin trade.
A K’wan classic.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

K'Wan's gritty latest (after 2004's Street Dreams) follows the fortunes of two brothers whose ghetto mafia family crumbles under the weight of murder and disloyalty. Tommy Clark runs the streets of Harlem with an iron fist (though his dad, Poppa, who's been "laying his gangsta down for thirty-something years," is still king), and he's poised to inherit the family "business." But then Tommy's younger brother, Shai, turns up, kicked out of college for betting on the basketball games he starred in. Though Poppa discourages Shai from street life, his stubborn, competitive kid has other plans, and pretty soon Shai's hustling the streets with fearless friend Swan and getting busy with local girl Honey while Tommy and Poppa run a risky heroin side operation, encouraging animosity within opposing underworld factions. When Poppa is murdered, it paves the way for the brothers to exact their retaliation in a spray of bullets, while crooked cops close in on Tommy for an execution-style murder. With every page soaked with street-smart vernacular, K'Wan's fourth novel delivers another aggressive, bloody portrait of unrepentant urban outlaws. (Aug.)
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Review

“One of hip-hop fiction’s hottest authors.” —KING Magazine

Praise for Street Dreams
“The legacies of Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines are forever preserved…. [Street Dreams] is as real as it gets.”
—Upscale

“K’wan steadily builds to a frantic, movie-worthy climax.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“K’wan has really outdone himself on this one…. A must-read for fans of urban fiction.”
—Shannon Holmes, national bestselling author of Bad Girlz and Never Go Home Again

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (July 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312333080
• ISBN-13: 978-0312333089
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can take the boy out the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out the boy!!! You betta ask somebody!, September 21, 2005

By 

Tazzyt2bossye "A Book Junkie fiending for a g... (QUEEN CITY, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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

"Hoodlum" is a classic mobster tale African-American style. Sitting at the helm of the throne as the infamous "Godfather" is 'Poppa Clark'. He has played the game well and is ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Of couse he is ready to pass the crown to his first born, Tommy, to continue the legacy of the Clark family. Tommy is anxious to play his role, because as a new generation, he thinks 'changes need to be made.' But, a quick temper, smart mouth, and a hard head does not lead to a successful transition. Then enters, cool, calm, and classy Shai, the baby boy, that has been steered away from 'the life' his entire life. But the thrill of the streets is much to intriguing for Shai to ignore. Contemplative, manipulative, and wise, Shai quietly steps into the shoes that were designed for his feet only and rides the waves, tornadoes, and all the storms like no other. If you enjoy action, drama, edge of the seat suspense, this is the party you want to attend! K'wan has put it down Kwanstyle, in which it's like no other. Come and witness how our people overcome all obstacles gangsta wise!

If my opinion meant anything, my vote would be for the silver screen. I can envision Ving Rhames as 'Poppa Clark', Mekhi Phifer - Tommy, Omar Epps- Shae, and Larenz Tate- as Swan. Urban lit continue to let your light shine!!! They can't sleep on your forever!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Stand Up, August 24, 2005

By 

Ms. Georgie "Urban book lover" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

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

I hesitated buying this book at first, but the reviews that this book has recevied made me go buy it to see what I was missing. I seriously could not put this book down. K'wan took you into the belly of the beast. He showed you what Harlen is really like. Nothing sugar coated. Real life. As I read this book, I saw exactly what was being potrayed to me, it was like I was right there. I am offically a true fan of this author. This book is a must read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gritty Urban Novella, August 28, 2006

By 

A. L. Jones "Thebrotheraj" (Naughtyville, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

I had the pleasure of meeting this author @ the Harlem Book Fair, in NYC during the summer where I purchased his "Street Dreams" book which he autographed for me. I was watching the way he handled himself out there dealing with all the people & decided to purchase a book from him.
Well..., after starting the book, I was definitely impressed & got to a point where I just couldn't put it down. After finishing it, I was amazed @ how well he weaved the tale together, the strength of his characters, & the way the last quarter of the book picked up steam & tied everything together neatly.
I decided to see if he was a flash in the pain or a new voice I should pay attention to. I ordered 2 more novels from him & now I am hooked... I started telling folks if they want gritty street type drama, give Kwan a read & see if you can feel his flow...
He's a cool guy, very personable, easy to talk to, & his personality doesn't give off the impression of the tales he's writing about. So he's gained a fan from NJ who will keep his eye on this Harlem, NYC talent.