Customer Reviews

The Queen of Harlem

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You know the cliche sayings: "Don't judge a book by its cover ", "There is more than meets the eye", and "What is done in the dark will surely be brought to the light". Well all of these sayings and more apply to the two main characters in the Queen of Harlem.

Mason needs to reinvent himself. Prove that he is down with the brothers and the hood. Sans preppy clothes, groomed hair and private schooling persona; dons baggy pants, dreadlocks and a homeboy swagger and we have Malik, just another boy n' the hood instead of the rich kid on his way to Stanford Law School. Anxious to escape his privileged southern upbringing, Malik embraces all that Harlem has to offer including the Queen of Harlem, Carmen.

This mysterious lady gives an aura of a fading movie queen. Furs, evening gowns, name dropping, playboy boyfriends, she does it all and with class. She chooses Malik over other prospective renters because he appears needy. Malik is in like flint, makes new friends and he is enjoying the masquerade until the proverbial mess hits the fan. His days of exploring New York and loafing in cafes writing in his journal comes to an abrupt end when the lies start running together.

The characterizations and writing is superb with rich phrasing details, metaphors, and similes that won't quit, yet they are real and not contrived. There are even some old time sayings like 'stepping in high cotton'. Jackson places you in contemporary Harlem with glimpses of Marcus Garvey Park, the restaurants, and the people who inhabit there. On an APOOO scale this was a 4.5, rounded off to a 5 for review. A definite 2002 must read, this offering is sure to cause a buzz.

Dera Williams
APOOO Book Club

The Queen of Harlem is a solid third novel from Mr. Jackson which combines unique writing along several sound messages and themes from beginning to end. Mason, a wealthy black college graduate from Louisiana ventures into Harlem before he pursues his graduate education. Seeking to blend in and connect further with his roots, he transforms into Malik, one that is bold and unqiue in his own right. In the midst of his transformation, he meets and moves in with Carmen England, a socialite who throughout the course of the novel bulids a connection with despite the charade. However when he meets Kyra, a young woman who is very similar to him, Mason is forced to question his own idenity, objectives, and what he truly desires in the road ahead.

Although not for everyone, the Queen of Harlem is one that carries its own twists and turns. Mr. Jackson's writing is solid throughout and I was impressed with how he presented the elements of the book, especially with the ending (which was a surprise). If you are looking for a book that is unique and solid then the Queen of Harlem is one that I would recommend.

I'm a virgin to Brian Keith Jackson, and although this was my first venture into his literary world, I rather enjoyed it. Jackson has a wry tongue in cheek brand of humor. He meticulously plays with words making them define Carmen for the star studded, well-dressed diva we fell in love with more and more as we turned the pages. His edgy writing style allowed his novel several moments where it shines all too brightly. The dialogue was raw and gritty, the description so vivid you'd believe that you'd lived in the infamous townhouse de Carmen with Carmen and Malik. The character Mason, who becomes Malik when he disguises his uppercrust past to blend into a life in Harlem that he finds most intriguing was refreshingly honest. It came as no surprise when he fatasizes about Carmen day and night only to fall for a college student whose background mirrored his. The moral of the story? Does he keep up the charade of being Malik or miss out on someone who it seems will appreciate him for who he really is and wants to become. Nearing the end of the story the novel took on an almost psychotic twist and the ending left me perplexed. But just like a lover who doesn't fully know when they've been kicked to the curb, his writing style had me caged and of course I had to pledge that if he writes another novel I'd most definitely give it a shot.

I don't know what I expected when I picked up this book. I have never read anything by this author and the cover looked interesting. So here goes.....
Mason needed to discover himself and the only logical way to do that was to spend time in Harlem. But to do that he became Malik. Malik befriends Carmen, who kind of reminds you of a fading beauty queen that refuses to give up her crown, and the mystery begins. Jackson's write extremely well. The story will keep you turning the pages until you get to the end. And what an ending ... I was stunned. I had to read it again. Jackson's use of similes was great. My favorite line came from Carmen "There was a time when all we wanted was forty acres and a mule; now we're drinking forty's and acting like asses". How very true!!!
Needless to say, I'll be reading more of Mr. Jackson.
Peace and Blessings!!

"The Queen of Harlem" is the story of a wealthy, black college graduate's struggle for independence and identity. Malik, southern born and raised, takes on the characteristics of an urban hip-hop "bratha' " and moves to Harlem to round out his international post-undergraduate travel experiences. He rents a room in a Harlem townhouse inhabited by Carmen, an older sophisticated socialite, and sets out to blend into the community racially and socially. As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Carmen has as much to hide as Malik. Both have an uncanny ability to reinvent themselves to fit the mode of the minute. Both try to find their place in the universe by rejecting the life they were given for a life they create. Through their relationship, the author demonstrates that reality is relative and unique to the person experiencing it.

Jackson articulates the dichotomy experienced by wealthy blacks who are neither fully accepted by the elitist mainstream culture nor the larger, less wealthy, black community. Sandwiched between racism and classism, Malik embarks on a journey that proves more valuable than his most exotic travels. The story will be validating to some and educating to others. I found the plot enjoyable and the final twist makes the novel worth while. The writing is clear and the characters are interesting enough to keep you reading. A solid novel and meaningful read.

The Queen of Harlem reminds me of my favorite amusement park ride the roller coaster (the old fashioned wooden ones). There are highs, lows, surprises, and just when you get the hang of it the ride is over.

Though a story of Mason Randolph, my favorite character is Carmen England -- The Queen. I envision her as a woman every man would want and a woman that every woman would want to be. She has an acute eye of the human condition and has no hesitation in sharing her observations. My favorite line is from a scene where Mason/Malik has a forty ounce bottle of beer in the refrigerator and upon Carmen's discovery of it holds it up as if it were a dirty sock and asks "what's this." When told it is a "forty" she responds, "there was a time when all we wanted was forty acres and a mule; now we're drinking forty's and acting like asses."

The Queen of Harlem is not for everyone -- no book is -- but I think in its pages you'll glimpse a little of yourself or certainly someone you may know. The picture you'll see is worth the price of admission.

Enjoy!!!

First, the great news. This is NOT another tired sistergirl book or all men are playas book. This is a really fine piece of fiction about a young man who heads to Harlem for the "real" black experience. Of course since there is no one real black experience you know that he's on a goose chase that will quickly get out of hand. Our foolish young hero changes his name and pretends to be a roun'tha way boy.He finds himself between two intriguing women. His landlady, whom he affectionately calls the "Queen of Harlem" and Kyra a young lady whose background is a lot like his real one. I loved everything about this book except for the whack ending. Oh well, it's still a four star book.

The Queen Of Harlem is a literary treat. This story is funny, melancholy, food for thought, and a relaxing read with substance. It also holds mystery and suspense thanks to the character Carmen England who is definitely a chameleon in disguise and the spice of this novel.

A general synopsis of The Queen Of Harlem is Mason Randolph, who is a part of the upper echelon in soceity sojourns to Harlem. Upon arriving in Harlem, Mason transforms himself into Malik Randolph, this hip hop, slang using homeboy wanna be. Malik answers an ad for a roommate in Harlem and encounters the enchanting and seductive Carmen England, who is a piece of work herself.

The primary issue The Queen Of Harlem deals with is escapism from self. Leaving what YOU are made of behind and adapting a new self; a LIE. A YOU that is a facade, and of course there's always a price to pay, because NO LIE CAN LIVE FOREVER and Mason finds out the hard way.

The Queen Of Harlem is teemed with eclectic characters you are sure to enjoy. Although this book is not as poignant as his other novels it is still a very worthy and enjoyable read with a message. Mr. Jackson's writing is that of an artist (painter). He definitely has a way with words and MAD SKILLZ.

Also recommended: Walking Through Mirrors and The View From Here by Brian Keith Jackson.

Enjoy this MIND CANDY!!!

I have read Mr Jackson's previous works, and although I find this book interesting and well written,I didn't care for the folk in the book one bit. Here you have Mason(Malik) who is trying to put his upper class roots behind him and become a whole new person by the name of Malik after going through an initial confrontation with some brothers from the hood who dogged him out as he came out the subway. Then you have Carmen who hobnobs with these folk who isn't who she seems and puts on more airs than air itself,I wanted to say "Enough, may the real people come back please"? Despite it, there is always a lesson in this all.

I DID NOT EXPECT SUCH A WELL WRITTEN BOOK TO EMERGE FROM THESE COVERS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE READ A BOOK WITHOUT SOMEONE RECOMMMENDING IT FIRST AND I AM TRULY EXCITED ABOUT BEING THE ONE TO SPREAD THE WORD... EXCELLENT, WELL WRITTEN, SIMPLY PUT "IT HAD ME READING IN THE DARK". THIS BOOK REALLY HIT HOME FOR ME.... THANK YOU MR. BRIAN KEITH JACKSON