Lazarus [Paperback]

Rashid Darden (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rashid Darden paints an exquisite portrait of college life, urban youth and the secrets we all hold from the world... --Robert Denson, III, Sunpiper Press, February 2005

About the Author

Rashid Darden is a refreshing new voice in African-American and gay literature. He brings to his writings a flavor influenced by years of eclectic experiences, from studying in Moscow and London to competing in poetry slams in his native Washington, DC. A graduate of Georgetown University who is currently unsigned to any publishing house, Rashid's debut novel is Lazarus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Old Gold Soul (April 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976598604
• ISBN-13: 978-0976598602
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,450,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lazarus Shines, June 2, 2005

By 

Malik M. L. Williams "Writer/Photographer/Per... (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lazarus (Paperback)

Amidst a glut of mediocre, "i-will-survive"-themed, Black, gay, self-published novels, Rashid Darden's Lazarus shines like a diamond on a bed of coal. The language is simple and accessible; the story is fresh, engaging, and true for someone somewhere i'm sure; the conflicts are stimulating; and the outcome by no means certain.

Confession time: this could have been my story. I was predisposed to immediately identify with Lazarus's protagonist, Adrian Collins, because of my time as a closeted gay man pledging a well-known-but-unnamed-by-me-in-this-post Black fraternity. (And because my frat brother - whom i've not yet met face-to-face - wrote it.) But i was also primed to pick apart every aspect of the story that might have rung false.

I found nothing but truth in Lazarus.

The novel takes the reader on a journey through one young man's rite of passage from being an ordinary college sophomore, through a relationship, into the trials of pledging a fraternity, and to the ultimate triumph of his personal character. I'm trying my best to avoid giving any spoilers; readers should experience Lazarus for themselves. Let me just say that in the hands of a lesser author, several of the characters might have read flat and the ending probably would have been all roses and skipping off into the sunset. Not so with Rashid Darden. He gives us a story that is believable and filled with individuals who remain true to their character throughout.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 3.5) - School Daze, August 25, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Lazarus (Paperback)

In the last one hundred years, Greek life on college campuses has become a staple in the lives of young, African-American men and women. Fraternities and sororities offer students the opportunity to socialize and bond with others of similar character, while inspiring them to contribute their time and talents to their communities. LAZARUS by Rashid Darden is a two-fold story of a young, African-American man coming of age at an elite, predominantly white university.

Adrian Collins wants to make a difference in the life of others. As vice-president of the campus chapter of the NAACP, he thought that was enough, but once he was introduced to the men of Beta Chi Phi fraternity, he realized that there was more he could be doing. Feeling abandoned by his father, Adrian seeks that familial bond with the pledges and brothers of Beta Chi Phi.

In addition to making the adjustment from an all-black environment in high school to being in the minority at his campus, he is also struggling with how to publicly embrace his homosexuality, but still be accepted by those he emulates. Adrian has always known he was gay and is keenly aware of the ostracism it may cause him to experience at the hands of people he respects. These two desires frequently clash, but Adrian stays true to himself and refuses to compromise his ideals. His underground relationship with his boyfriend, Savion, however, is suffering while he goes through the grueling pledge process.

Rashid Darden has produced a vivid description of fraternity life on a predominantly white campus. LAZARUS is fun and light, but also engenders poignant moments that underscore the meaning of fraternity and the closeness of the bond that is shared. He has also created some memorable characters which he has already written into the sequel to this novel, Covenants, due out in 2006. LAZARUS is an enjoyable read and I look forward to the sequel.

Reviewed by Kim Anderson Ray
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are you ready for your close up, Mr. Darden?, June 2, 2005

By 

Wbsmile (Washington, DC/ New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lazarus (Paperback)

I'm not one to go on a rant about how great a novel is, but I just may have to for "Lazarus." This novel is very alive and compelling. The characters are real, the situations are plausible, the action is exciting. As a student on a college campus, it rings almost too true. Nevertheless, it is a book that I will reread again, and again, and share with many friends. Rashid Darden, your ascent to the top has commenced.

BUY IT! NOW!!!