Customer Reviews

Hoodlum: A Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"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!

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.

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.

This was the BEST book thatI read all year!It is more than just another sex,drugs, and money book,Its more! When sahi came home from college hae learns that his brother Tommy is helping his farther with their family drug business. now he wants to help but his farther wants him to stay focused on school and basketball. this book will keep you capative and takes you for a wiold ride through shai's hood. With every trun of the page you will be amazed how this book is sooo close to anyones true life experience.

If you are a fan of Gangster movies like the Godfather and Scarface then this is the book for you. I was unable to put this book down. Every chapter had me eager to get to the next.

While reading the review posted by Radiah Hubbert from Urban-Reviews.com, I just had to say that I co-sign 100% with everything you posted. I couldn't put it any better but I just had to post so I could give Mr. Foye that other 1/2 star you left off.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of K'wan's work. But he just keeps getting better and better. He kicked down the door with Gangsta. You would think it couldn't get much better than that hood classic but he has shown nothing but growth since then. Road Dawgs, Street Dreams and now Hoodlum is providing a legacy that will remain for years to come.

I know all the K'wan fans like myself have already read this one. But for all of you who haven't read anything by K'wan please pick up this book and afterwards I promise that you'll purchase everything ever written by him. Kwan Foye is like fine wine he just keeps getting better with time!!!!!!

K'WAN FOYE HAS WRITTEN ANOTHA CLASSIC YET AGAIN!! People if you haven't gotten this book, I suggest u get it A.S.A.P. K'wan takes it bak to the streets of New York again. This book wasn't just a hood classic but also a good moral lesson learned. K'wan introduces us 2 three main characters which are Poppa(the father), Tommy(the oldest son) and Shai(the youngest son). Poppa was a notorius drug lord in the streets of N.Y. and a wise businessman, but he realized that his time and success as drug kingpin of N.Y. was coming to an end and so therefore he was passing his throne down 2 Tommy. The only problem with Tommy was that unlike his father his first strategy to solving every problem was war. Shai was one of the best basketball players in the country and had big dreams of making it to the Nba until he got kicked out of college for gambling.Poppa was disappointed in Shai because he had bigger dreams for him 2 finish school and even make it to the big leagues until he destroyed it all.
Shai therefore came back to N.Y. for the summer to get his mind off from school, after getting kicked out of school to live with his father. Shai had no idea that this summer was going to be the worst summer of his life. Events turned out for the worst when Poppa was murdered by a scheme orchastrated by the leader of the Italian's whose name was Mike. Tommy went into a rage when this incident occurred and on top of all that he was being linked to a murder he had orchestrated earlier and would probably never even get his chance to go back to the streets and finish what his father started. So there remained only one Clark Boy that could take over and that was Shai. Although Shai knew that his father had other intentions for him, he knew that he would not let his father's murder go unsolved. Shai orchastrated murders of all the enemies to the Clark's name and the city of N.Y. looked like a war zone.However, like Tommy Shai was wise like his father and knew how to deal with people. After all the rampage that occurred when his father died, ultimately Shai decided to reunite the crews and get a new beginning which he did. Shai took over his father's drug industry and all its dealings, including his father's unfinished business work.

I learned a lot from reading this book and I think you would too. This is a MUST READ BOOK 4 EVERY K'WAN BOOK LOVER!! DON'T MISS OUT YOUR CHANCE ON ONE OF THE BEST HOOD LEGEND BOOKS TO EVER BE WRITTEN!!.

You've heard the saying, "Harlem has the best ball"; well the rest of the statement is "HARLEM HAS THE BEST AUTHORS".

K'wan Foye flashes his gift and has penned another bestseller AGAIN!!!!!! He hits it hard and real in "HOODLUM", no bars hold! True to life and gritty with all its realities, personal decisions are made by the Clark family for survival.

K'wan took no prisoners. The pages are permeated with cold and calculating characters.... and love mixed in there too??!! How'd he do it... you've got to read that for yourself. (Personally, I think Kwan is Donald Goines grandson...there may be not truth to this, but Kwan definitely has picked up the mantel from Donald Goines!)

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST STORIES I HAVE READ ABOUT A FAMILY INVOLVED IN THE DRUG GAME. I LOVED SHAI CLARK'S CHARACTER AND HOW MANY DIFFERENT SIDES HE HAD. THIS BOOK KEPT ME ENTERTAINED THE WHOLE WAY AND I WASN'T READY FOR IT TO END.

When this book was selected for EyeCU Reading & Social Network's April read, I must admit I wasn't expecting to be blown away after reading the summary that sounded like a black version of "Godfather" intertwined with "American Gangsta". This was my first time reading K'wan's work and I must say.....His talent for bringing the characters to life combined with his descriptive and suspenseful style of writing kept me on edge & super excited for what was next to happen! EACH CHAPTER HAD ME EAGER FOR THE NEXT.....I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! Although he introduced a lot of irrelevant characters, he did an awesome job tying them into the main characters.

Absolutely loved Shai's character....Stepped in a boy, stepped up as a man using his precision and his wits to do WHATEVER it took to hold his family down. A little disappointed that the synopsis gave insight that Poppa was to die which killed the "KABOOM BOOM"!

With all said, I can definitely see this story on the BIG SCREEN! Suspenseful, action packed, fast pasted with a hint of love & STRAIGHT GANGSTA! A new fan indeed! CAN'T WAIT UNTIL PART 2!