Customer Reviews

A Life for a Life: A Novel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ernest Hill's Life for a Life, was a powerful heartfelt story that tells a real story. I'm a 40 year old Black man, and I've never come across a story that I recommend to all my family and friends. Hill tells a story about a man who did all the right things to raise a black young man on the verge of becoming a success and his life is cut short by a hoodlum. You feel the pain and the hurt of this father, then the justice and then the love, which conquers all.

The concept of this story was very good but the execution needs work. Mr. Hill used almost the same amount of pages to describe the crime and couple weeks on the run as he did for the entire 6 year incarceration and 4 years of college. There were about 2 paragraphs that talked about D'Ray's struggles in college. Otherwise it seems that he just breezed through it. Hill also never even mentions whether D'Ray ever saw or heard from his mother and brother again after leaving the group home. Less time should have been spent on his flight and more on his struggle to become a better person.

This book is awesome. Mr. Hill does a great job with this work. You tend to go on an emotional roller coaster with the leading character D-Ray. You will find yourself smiling, laughing, crying, and cheering.

"A Life For A Life" affirms that good things can happen to bad people.

I highly recommend this book along with his others:"It's All About the Moon When the Sun Ain't Shining" and "Cry Me a River". They are a must have in your reading collection or book club.

This book is phenomenal. I am truly impressed by Ernest Hill and have kept my promise of getting all of his books because of that. This man has dialogue down as well as Langston Hughes, can tell a story better than Slick Rick (one of the most entertaining storytellers I've ever listened to), and always has an intriguing plot. I could've sat in the barbership all day and listened to those men argue, I wanted to hang out with the main character Outlaw, and...I just love everything about this story of a teenage boy trying to save his brother, his own life, and grant himself a future all with the obstacles of poverty, secrecy, trust, and danger lurking around every corner.

This book should be required reading for all fathers and sons. I am neither...but it made a lasting impression even on me.

I am an avid reader who reads at least 100 books per year, most of them pretty mediocre. This book was a delightful exception. This book was so good, it has the makings of a modern day classic. The characters, the story were all very good. Mr. Hill is a great storyteller, I read his previous book and also enjoyed it. He does not pander to foolishness to get his books on the best-seller list. He just tells a great story. I would hope that he would be recognize by the mainstream because this work was a peice of art. You make all readers of African American ficition proud that there are a few good writers left.

A Life for a Life by Ernest Hill is a poignant and touching fictional novel which reads like a true story. The storyline evolves around an unlikely bond between an African American father and the young African American teenager who killed his son.

Henry Earl is a very special and unusual man. After his son and only child is murdered while working at a convenience store by D'Ray Reid, Earl decides to befriend the young D'Ray and become his mentor. While D'Ray is imprisoned it is Henry Earl who becomes his only visitor and his biggest champion. When young man D'Ray is released from prison it is Earl who gives him a place to stay and Somethings that D'Ray needs...a home, forgiveness, understanding and love. As another reviewer stated, the relationship that developed between D'Ray Reid and Henry Earl was nothing short of miraculous.

A Life for a Life by Ernest Hill is a well-written book but one that's hard to fathom. As a parent, who loves her children dearly, I find it hard to believe that anyone would be able to form a bond, a friendship, a kinship with someone who killed their child especially their only child. Therefore, the more I read this story the more implausible it became for me. Unfortunately, in real life, I wouldn't have as much empathy, love or forgiveness. Maybe that's the lesson that Hill was trying to teach us. This aside, A Life For a Life is a universal read with a social message. I recommend this book to parents and children, students and teachers as well as anyone who likes a provocative and controversial storyline.

A story about forgiveness and redemption. It will touch your life forever.

I am from a small Southern town, so I find it very easy to relate to what Mr. Hill has written. All the words ring with truth. All young people, but especially African American youth, should read this book as a source of life coping and self worth. I look forward to Mr. Hill's next novel!!!

Earnest Hill has done something that few authors accomplish. He has not only presented an intellectual perspective into the adolescent Afro-Americal southern inner city culture but also lets us feel, first hand, the effects of good and evil forces in this enviorment. A must read for both Afro-Americans and whites in order to understand how cultural backgrounds shape adolescent outcome.