I'm On My Way [Paperback]

Christopher David (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2003

Imagine spending your whole life searching for theone; searching for acceptance; searching for just a hint of satisfaction.  Imagine walking through life alone,confused, and convinced you will never find what it is your heart desires.  Jared Covington is such a man in search ofall things life has promised, but has not delivered.  I’m On My Way is a passionate tale of a sometimes bitter,sometimes angry, but always hopeful young man and his search to undercover thelove of his life and in the process, himself.In terse, fluid prose, David paintsthree-dimensional portraits of each of his main characters. Set against thebackdrop of New York City, the book addresses critical issues surrounding beingblack, gay and at times closeted in America without sounding preachy.  David’shigh quality of writing, and carefully developed themes seamlessly takes usinto the hearts and minds of several young men sorting through some of life’smost pressing issues.  This engrossingdebut, challenges stereotypes, emits hope, and brings to life theoften-misunderstood world of gay minorities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (September 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410784312
• ISBN-13: 978-1410784315
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Work of Honesty, Power, and Extraordinary Promise, January 12, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm On My Way (Paperback)

Christopher David in I'M ON MY WAY has written a first novel that demands respect and attention. Rarely has a young writer pounced on the scene with such a pungent, searing understanding and commitment in writing a book about a slice of life that has for years been no man's land. Other African American writers have addressed gay life in their community from James Baldwin, Lee Hayes, Caesar Brunswick et al, but as far as placing the reader deeply within the milieu, the language, the special struggles that surround the gay black man, Christopher David has the edge.

David divides his book into chapters that are named for the individual characters - Jared, Jason, Kevin, Diogenes - and it is through their eyes and words that the story of searching for the perfect relationship unfolds. The primary character is Jared and he is the one around whom all the varied tales of love and disappointment, grief, lust and need swirl. Each of these men are interesting, different, and as they each reveal their personal histories we are given insight into just what determines a successful relationship. David addresses the African American styles, the lingo, AIDS, spousal abuse, family acceptance/rejection, the need for friendship and extended family, and in each of these areas he leaves no stone unturned. We grow to love these men, loathe some of their ex-loves, and finally we grow to understand the importance of loving one's self as the most potent requirement in forming lasting and meaningful partnering.

This is a first novel and Christopher David tackles a theme that is at first seemingly isolated to a special group. He eventually leads us to universals and closes his book with an author's note that is from a truly beautiful soul. In time he will spend less time on "in-group dialogue" and more time on plot. What is missing here is an editor more attentive to spelling and punctuation and the details that surround a first book. All of that will come. Christopher David will succeed where some others have failed. It is in his will and his passion. A very fine first novel!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath-taking!!!!!!!!, May 19, 2004

By 

Ann (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm On My Way (Paperback)

I bought this book because one of my friends advised me that it would be well worth the time. I had never heard of Christopher David and was a little hesitant but decided to give him and his novel a shot. Can I just say WOW! I usually don't read novels that focus on men and their relationships because I've always thought we'd have nothing in common. But I'm On My Way has a universal theme to it: love. I fell head over heels with Jared and Michael and Dio and Miles and genuinely wanted to know what would become of their love. I went through their struggles and dealt with their pain right down to the very last sentence.

I am rarely brought to tears by literature, but Christopher David's book had be bawling...I'm talking tears falling all over the place. The bottom line is this: take a chance on this new author. You won't be disappointed.

Ann, in New York City

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for Love, March 14, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm On My Way (Paperback)

Author Christopher David audaciously demonstrates that relationships are never easy, whether they're heterosexual or homosexual. In his novel I'M ON MY WAY, David traces the lives of three main characters and their friends as they each labor to find their soul mates and contend with the reality of being black and gay. Readers follow the men as they deal with love, loss, vengeance, acceptance, failure, and success. David unflinchingly strips away stereotypes and exposes readers to the real world of living and loving as a gay man while presenting real characters with real issues. His three-dimensional characters jump off the page and become men readers can listen to, feel with, and empathize with. David shows us that whether we're dating men or women, the drama is the same...we are all people looking to love and be loved in return.

Christopher David's writing style is poetry in motion, flowing like old school hip-hop. His language is real and it's easy to quickly get caught up in the characters' thought processes and emotions. The storyline is solid with enough drama to keep most readers entertained; however, this story is about gay men and all that entails. While David pulls the wool off our eyes with regards to the lifestyle of gay men, some readers may need to take this book in stride. This author writes with no holds barred which can be a little too much at times for readers who are simply not used to dealing with the intricacies of homosexual relationships. If you can get past any hovering hesitations and pick up a copy of this novel, you're definitely in for a literary treat.

Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers