Customer Reviews

A Man Finds His Way

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

 

 

I am blown away, FLJ III has done it again. To many times the black man is betrayed as being the villain who leaves the wife and kids not thinking about anyone but himself. Dr. Johnson has done it again, first with "Bittersweet" and now with "A Man Finds His Way". Kudos, Dr. Johnson for yet another story well wrote detailing the Black Man as a person who tries to be a role model for his (child)ren even if the relationship between he and his wife does not work.

Darius Collins is a stern taskmaster but even he does not deserve the kind of onslaught that fate deals out to him. His girlfriend dumps him, his son gets into trouble and his ex-wife has serious problems that affect him continuously. How Darius navigates his way through this mountain of problems is what this book is all about. I learned a lot about campus politics and enjoyed reading about a good black man. Just wish Darius would show his softer side a little more often. A great read!

I stumbled upon this book while searching for some good reading material. And much to my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you're looking to read a sappy love story this isn't it. The author brought to life realistically the emotions of its main charcter (Darius) in his dealing with issues of love, relationships, children, family and racism. Not to mention the dynamite historical references throughout the book. I look forward to future books by Freddie Lee Johnson III.

Freddie Lee Johnson, sophomore novel, A Man Finds His Way is another winner. The protagonist, Dr. Darius Collins, a history professor at the fictional Erie Pointe University, is faced with a plethora of problems both personal and professional. The character is multi dimensional, and is complimented by an array of secondary characters that keeps him balanced. In this novel he explores Darius' perspective on relationships, parenting and religion, as he journeys to find the right path to follow.

Darius is faced with compound issues as most people are. His girlfriend dumps him, his ex-wife is mean spirited, under minds him regarding his son and is having affairs with politicians as she shoots to the top of city government. The black students at the school want to bring a well-known anti-Semite to speak at the school and expect Darius to support them and when he does not he is labeled an "Uncle Tom". His rejection of this could cause his bid for the presidency of the Cleveland Black Historical Society. The worse thing is that his son Jarrod, who he has a tumultuous relationship with, is accused of a crime and becomes a reluctant participant in the judicial system.

This book mixes humor, sensitivity and historical facts. The reader really gets to know Dr. Darius Collins and will feel for him and his struggles. At some points you will just want to reach out and help him find the right direction and other times just hold him back from making yet another mistake. This book will make good discussion for any book club. I highly recommend it.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

Professor Darius Collins is having a rough time. His girlfriend dumps him, he has a political and racial confrontation at work,his ex wife is a trouble maker and his son is really big trouble, and that's just the start of the book. I really enjoyed this character and reading about how goes about putting his life back in order and trying to save his son. Darius Collins is a refreshing character. He's a highly educated, serious man whose got the guts to do the right thing even though it's going to cost him. Freddie Lee Johnson has a real winner in this book.

A Man Finds His Way is about Dr. Darius Collins a history professor who endures much in his plight for life. Dr. Collins is faced with a hurddle of obstacles. He is discarded by his girlfriend Marcy for another man, he's a dvorced father who must deal with his manipulative ex-wife Cookie, whose proclivities land under media scrutiny, he must deal with his incorrigible son Jarrod, who gets himself in a very tight fix, and he also must deal with students harrassing him as an Uncle Tom.

It's also unique to read a novel about an African American male who is positive in so many ways, for example he was a leader in the Warrior Passages program for youths, which prepared black males for adulthood. Also I relished in the absolute relationship Dr. Collins had with his mentor Rev. Boxwell and his friend Nash.

As with "Bittersweet", I enjoyed every aspect of A Man Finds His Way. This book was funny (especially the dating disasters and Player "the talking bird"), melancholy, encouraging, and most importantly has spiritual principles without being preachy or beating you over the head. I've taken the message of this book as being "FOOD FOR LIFE" not thought. I'm appreciative for Mr. Johnson's writing style, which has extended my vocabulary. It's evident in the writing that Mr. Johnson is a scholar, who happens to actually be a history professor.

This is a story of substance and should be read by those who appreciate a good quality read.

The book was excellent written. From the beginning of the book to the end, kept me wanting to know more about the historian, Dr. Collins. He was well described and I could picture Dr. Collins in mind in every sentence that I read concerning how he tought and what he felt. My heart went out to him because he was really a good guy. I was happy that he did meet someone. His ex-wife deserved everything she got. I'm glad his son did a turn around. His friend was very supportive. The only question I have is what ever happen to the talking bird?

A good pass time book...took me a while to read it. Unlike Freddie Johnson other books I finish within 6 days max. Yet it's still good.

A MAN FINDS HIS WAY
Author: Freddie Lee Johnson, III
Publisher: Ballantine/One World Books
ISBN: 0-345-44598-8
Paperback African-American Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars

Author Freddie Lee Johnson follows on the heels of his highly successful predicessor, Bittersweet with yet another look into family drama.

Reviewd by: Alvin C. Romer

From bittersweet to being able to savor a better taste, the author allows us a chance to see just how his protagonist handle real and imagined anst to gain favorable positioning. This is the story of Professor Darius Collins, who finds himself trying to keep a balanced life, stay above water, and handle all the ill-will that has befallen him of late. A MAN FINDS HIS WAY is Freddie Lee Johnson's second novel with the same formulaic method depicting a black man doing what is needed to keep his family intact, and still be viable in his chosen environment, albeit amid strife and unfortunate series of events. The novel's beginning stages is a study why men should employ better ways to do what is necessary to keep their women, and better exemplify better methods for conciliatory existence. To wit: Darius' girlfriend dumps him, his ex-wife is on a personal vendetta, and he is hard-pressed to come up with solutions to deal with the latter when it's disclosed that she is indirectly connected to a former lover. It doesn't help too, when Professor Collins learns that his adolescent son, Jarrod is accured of rape. The former lover, a corrupt and conniving politician is attempting to frame the boy via extortion.

On top of this, the novel moves along with good transition where the author does a credible job of juxtapositioning various subplotting to justify timely introductions to upcoming scenarios. What I liked is the way he set characterization to build crescendos without them hovering too much above what was originally offered. When this is done, it gives the story balance and allow the subplots to have an active role. There's nice contrast throughout as the author seems to give us the lighter fare concerning the main character's romantic life, and how he focuses primarily on Jarrod's plight in the latter part of the book. The author's writing style let you feel comfortable, hoping for a sustained dramatic interludes where the serious political and family overtones are not only congruous, but are depicted in a way to give suspense a deeper meaning here. Sandwiched between all the mayhem is how the Professor deals with the on-campus issues focusing on race relations, workplace bureaucracies, and self-evaluation.

This is a well-written novel with a good ending that should elicit familiarity with those who gravitate toward sensitivity, and where the need to make critical decisions to keep a family intact fuels all that is expected for success. I'm of the notion that if this author continues to write with passion he will not only find his way, but will far exceed in securing a comfortable seat among those that are there already!

Let me start by saying I thoroughly enjoyed Bittersweet. I did not like A Man Finds His Way. First of all, this book was too long. It was over 340 pages. The first chapter was hilarious. But the excitement did not return until the last one hundred pages.

At the conclusion of the book, I was left wandering what happened with the Middle Passage club and the CBHS. Also, the book did not address whether Cookie felt remorseful about how her relationships impacted Jarrod's behavior.