Satisfied with Nothin': A Novel [Paperback]

Ernest Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2008

This is the story of Jamie Ray Griffin, a young black man who, by virtue of his talent on the football field, finds himself suddenly thrust into a white world full of privilege, temptation, and never-before-imagined possibility. Encouraged by the facade of acceptance from the white community, Jamie strives to succeed, but finds himself thwarted at every turn -- by whites and blacks alike.

Satisfied with Nothin' chronicles Jamie's development from a naive, unsophisticated teen to a hard-driving, cynical adult determined to succeed despite the opposition of whites, the complacency of blacks, and his own tragic fate. In doing so, it provides a powerful and important portrait of the black experience in post-segregation America.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fifteen years after court imposed desegregation, Jamie Ray Griffin is among the first students at his Louisiana high school to integrate. Berated by many of his white classmates, Jamie channels his anger into football and lands a starring role, earning the distant admiration, but not respect, of his peers and community. The brutal assault and lynching of his cousin prompts him to enroll in a black college in pursuit of a career in football, but balancing the rigors of practice and academics proves daunting. When an injury sidelines him for good and his grades slip beyond resurrection, Jamie returns to a low-paying job in his hometown and begins to confront the truth about himself. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Originally self-published in 1992, Hill's debut novel is a grim, archetypal tale of a young black man who almost averts a squalid fate. Jamie Ray Griffin is among the first students to integrate his local high school in 1970s rural Louisiana?15 years after court-imposed desegregation. Despite harassment, Jamie internalizes his anger much better than does his best friend, Booger, whose volatile temper leads to a riot on the first day of school. Jamie's athletic abilities earn him a starring role on the football team and the apparent respect of local residents. Yet when his cousin is caught dating a white girl, Jamie witnesses a brutal assault and lynching, which he vows never to forget. In pursuit of a pro football career, he attends a local black university; while struggling to balance academics and increasing athletic demands, he falls in love with Stacy Lefere, an accomplished, upper-class black woman. His exploitive coaches drive others to quit, but Jamie, intent on a pro career, plays hard while his grades slide. When a crippling injury ends his chances to remain in college, Jamie is overlooked in the NFL draft and fails in a subsequent tryout as a free agent when his knee again collapses. Unable to accept Stacy's love, and with academic failure?abetted by counselors who urge him to take "bowling" and "sports injuries"?a near certainty, he returns to a low-paying job at home and begins to confront the truth about himself when a profoundly senseless, stupid tragedy strikes. Hill writes some flavorful dialogue, but his tale is much better at conveying sociological truth than psychological complexity.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (August 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416556982
• ISBN-13: 978-1416556985
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,312,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book about choices for a young Black Man., March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Satisfied with Nothin' (Paperback)

3/24/99 I met Mr. Hill as a guest lecturer at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, yesterday and discussed his book in depth. His book can be used as a navigating tool for young black boys who are sometimes thrown into the spotlight and then unexpectedly jerked out again. Jamie Ray could be so many of the athletes here in Baton Rouge that are being primed for the Big Leagues and taught that they should focus only on that dream. Jamie Ray is one our sons, brothers, or cousins who hears but doesn't listen. I suggest we pass this book along through the commuity to help our future youth realize if they control their own thinking then they control their actions. Split second decisions can change your life forever. Mr. Hill's book is an example of having goals and making choices to reach them. His ending wasn't the fairy tale of everything worked out fine. It was the reality that so many of us face. La Malta Robins

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Not Soon To Forget, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Satisfied with Nothin' (Paperback)

I read this book several years back. I am a 32 year old white man who grew up in the same community as Ernest Hill. I still live here, too. I am very proud of our community. Sure there are advances to be made socially, economically and spititually-but is there a perfect place? No. But, I believe we are much farther down the road than most communities. I can certainly identify with the racism that Ernest refers to. I saw much of it. And still see some of it. Also the plight of the young black man in our town is still uphill but this is one of the most economically depressed areas of the country. Ernest's book is a very honest account of the life and times in our community in the '70's. Hopefully, we have made progress. I recommend this book very highly. Thanks Ernest, you have made us all proud! Keep up the good work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but sad, May 4, 2002

By 

"July Lady" (MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SATISFIED WITH NOTHIN: A Novel (Hardcover)

When Jamie goes to highschool with white students, for the first time, he's not use to all the hositily that the white student's give to the black students. When Jamie joins the football team, and becomes a star he is treated a whole lot better by his white peers. When Jamie's cousin is killed for dating a white girl, Jamie's wonders why whites get a chance to treat blacks so bad. Jamie sees football as his escape, so he goes on to college to play, and hope to have a career in the NFl. I throught this book was really good, especially since i don't stay to far from where most of the action took place, and also I love football. The only thing, i didn't like about this book, is that I throught Jamie was dealt a bad hand. The ending was sad.