Written by Percy Carey Art and cover by Ronald Wimberly Underground rap icon Percy Carey tells the true story of his life in the "Hip-Hop Game" - the dizzying heights and heartbreaking losses - in the raw and brutally honest hardcover graphic novel memoir SENTENCES: THE LIFE OF M.F. GRIMM. In SENTENCES, Carey chronicles his life in the sometimes glamorous, and often violent, hip-hop industry; from the first time he picked up a microphone at a block party as a youngster, to the day he lost the use of his legs to gang violence, to his incarceration, and eventually, to his self-reinvention and rise back to the top of his game, becoming a Hip-Hop Grand Master and being placed among the pantheon of the culture. No questions are left unanswered and no apologies are made, resulting in what's sure to be a groundbreaking graphic novel. Joining Carey is up-and-coming artist Ronald Wimberly (LUCIFER, HELLBLAZER: PAPA MIDNITE covers), who breathtakingly illustrates this gritty tale of righteous redemption. If what you know about hip-hop is the flashy cars and voluptuous women that music videos try to sell, be prepared to experience the real side of the industry that only someone who has survived the rise, fall, and rise again, can tell.
| |||||||||||||||
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Black, white and gray are the appropriate palette for this somber autobiographical narrative. Carey covers his experiences from his years as a child performer on Sesame Street through hip-hop stardom as MF Grimm. His simultaneous life as a dope dealer leads to a darker turn, as a drug-feud ambush leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. The story follows his subsequent time in prison and his current career as an entertainment producer. Along the way, he gives glimpses of the mother who fiercely defended him and the neighborhood that nurtured him, but he gives more stress to his exploits as a thug, his meetings with hip-hop stars he considered rivals and/or peers, and the hunger for money and recognition that led him to take dangerous risks. Wimberly's art reinforces Carey's raw script—solid dark masses engulfing graceful, jittery linework in the style of Eduardo Russo's 100 Bullets, but the full impact of Carey's experiences doesn't come through. So many things are happening that it's hard to remember who's doing what to whom, and why it matters. That's unfortunate, because Carey wants to make his life meaningful as he urges young readers to choose something besides guns ands crime. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Born and raised in Manhattan, Percy Carey has been a part of the hip-hop community since the early 1990s. He was known for being a fierce battle MC, and was pondering several record deals when an attempt was made on his life in 1993. He was left paralyzed from the neck down but eventually regained the use of his arms. From his wheelchair, Carey rebounded into his music, releasing classic underground singles on Bobbito Garcia's Fondle Em Records as well as his legendary recorded work with MF Doom and The Monster Island Czars. After serving time and beating a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, Carey created Day By Day Entertainment to promote and develop musicians across the rock and hip hop spectrum.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By J. Michael
Format:Hardcover
From everything I'd read, this is an autobiographical work by a hip-hop artist who came upon some misfortune, and that's putting it lightly. I started this with "from what I'd read..." because I researched the story before I pre-ordered it. I wanted a *real* story -- written by someone who'd been there, whether it was true or not. I'm about as white as they come, but I have a certain respect for this culture. I recognize hip-hop as an art form, although one I personally can't listen to in large quantities. It's poetry, and even though the message is often beyond my understanding or approval, it takes a certain amount of talent to produce this kind of work.
I wanted a real story, and I got one. I have to believe that Percy Carey had some assistance on the writing side, but it's an engaging and moving ride. (I mention "assistance" such as writing a comic script in the form we've seen in GN supplements, not such as translation to English from Ebonics.) The events and people are familiar to me -- at least, a few of them are, and the rest feel that way because I bonded that much with the main character (Carey) almost from the beginning. It's that well done.
The art is rich and fluid. Occasional altered perspectives remind me of early Mad cartooning, and the use of gray tones and high contrasts give just the right amount of lighting effects and maintain the mood. It feels inconsistent at times -- sometimes it's not easy to recognize someone from one page to the next, but this is one of those cases where the writing covered for that. Ordinarily, I admire the art while the words get in the way. This is not one of those cases.
So this isn't your standard offering from Marvel or DC, and it's even a little different than I expected from Vertigo.... Read more ›
I wanted a real story, and I got one. I have to believe that Percy Carey had some assistance on the writing side, but it's an engaging and moving ride. (I mention "assistance" such as writing a comic script in the form we've seen in GN supplements, not such as translation to English from Ebonics.) The events and people are familiar to me -- at least, a few of them are, and the rest feel that way because I bonded that much with the main character (Carey) almost from the beginning. It's that well done.
The art is rich and fluid. Occasional altered perspectives remind me of early Mad cartooning, and the use of gray tones and high contrasts give just the right amount of lighting effects and maintain the mood. It feels inconsistent at times -- sometimes it's not easy to recognize someone from one page to the next, but this is one of those cases where the writing covered for that. Ordinarily, I admire the art while the words get in the way. This is not one of those cases.
So this isn't your standard offering from Marvel or DC, and it's even a little different than I expected from Vertigo.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a must read for fans of Hip Hop. That being said, I don't know if can recommend it for Graphic Novel readers in general (reason for 3 stars). Percy Carey grew up in the middle of Hip Hop, and he tells his unbiased story here.
By Emmanuel
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I give this Book 5 stars for one Reason. Its Based on Real Events surrounding Percy Carey AKA MF Grimm, in this story we see the Real Evil that lives in our inner cities that plague our youth, I recommend this book to anyone who is a Vertigo Fan, a Fan of REAL Hip-Hop, or a fan of MF Grimm. Cop The Album, then Pick this Up.
By brentboy
Format:Paperback
Instead of a full-blown review with a story breakdown, I wanted to touch on some other aspects about the book itself. I will not reveal any plot details.
-This graphic novel is less than 130 pages long. It can easily be read in one sitting. I'm not a fast reader, but I plowed through this in 1h 30m.
-There are no page numbers, which may be a bummer if you want to go back and reference a set of panels.
-The story does not go into too much depth on one particular event in Percy Carey's life. I couldn't help but feel this was a Cliff Notes version of a much larger book.
Overall, this is worth reading, but due to its length, I would suggest either borrowing it from a friend or checking it out of a library.
-This graphic novel is less than 130 pages long. It can easily be read in one sitting. I'm not a fast reader, but I plowed through this in 1h 30m.
-There are no page numbers, which may be a bummer if you want to go back and reference a set of panels.
-The story does not go into too much depth on one particular event in Percy Carey's life. I couldn't help but feel this was a Cliff Notes version of a much larger book.
Overall, this is worth reading, but due to its length, I would suggest either borrowing it from a friend or checking it out of a library.
By James
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a high school student who just finished reading this book for a class. Enjoy!
Percy Carey's a.k.a. M.F. Grimm's memoir "Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm" is wrought with enough grief, trouble and experience to last a lifetime. Carey begins the memoir by depicting the critical moment in his life, the moment when he is shot, and as a result, confined to a wheelchair for life. This opening grabs the reader and pulls him into the next two chapters of the story, where Percy Carey describes himself as a stubborn yet determined adolescent. These traits lead him into becoming an aspiring emcee known as M.F. Grimm. From here on Carey describes the struggles he had to endure along the road to following his dream. These struggles include the loss of loved ones, deadly gang fights, poverty, wealth, time in prison, and creating art that sends his message.
Carey's memoir is different however, from that of a conventional author. "Sentences" is a graphic novel, which works in two ways. It evokes deeper and more intense emotions from most readers, and the artistic style helps convey the rising hip-hop culture during the 1980's-1990's. Through the well illustrated story panels I felt in touch with each individual character. Also, the illustrations created a flow to the memoir that effectively conveyed the book's themes. One man theme that stuck out for me was that `wisdom comes from experience'. Carey's life as depicted in his memoir has been full of experiences both good and bad. These events have led him to a position where he can guide those younger than him onto a moral path. I see this as a chief trait in having wisdom. Another theme is the `coming of age story'. This is present when Carey describes his transformation from a young, trouble-making boy into an experienced man.... Read more ›
Percy Carey's a.k.a. M.F. Grimm's memoir "Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm" is wrought with enough grief, trouble and experience to last a lifetime. Carey begins the memoir by depicting the critical moment in his life, the moment when he is shot, and as a result, confined to a wheelchair for life. This opening grabs the reader and pulls him into the next two chapters of the story, where Percy Carey describes himself as a stubborn yet determined adolescent. These traits lead him into becoming an aspiring emcee known as M.F. Grimm. From here on Carey describes the struggles he had to endure along the road to following his dream. These struggles include the loss of loved ones, deadly gang fights, poverty, wealth, time in prison, and creating art that sends his message.
Carey's memoir is different however, from that of a conventional author. "Sentences" is a graphic novel, which works in two ways. It evokes deeper and more intense emotions from most readers, and the artistic style helps convey the rising hip-hop culture during the 1980's-1990's. Through the well illustrated story panels I felt in touch with each individual character. Also, the illustrations created a flow to the memoir that effectively conveyed the book's themes. One man theme that stuck out for me was that `wisdom comes from experience'. Carey's life as depicted in his memoir has been full of experiences both good and bad. These events have led him to a position where he can guide those younger than him onto a moral path. I see this as a chief trait in having wisdom. Another theme is the `coming of age story'. This is present when Carey describes his transformation from a young, trouble-making boy into an experienced man.... Read more ›
Format:Hardcover
I read this and was impressed not only by the art work, but how the images really brought me to feeling like I could understand a bit about this guys life. Usually those feelings and emotions only come to me through the text, but somehow this graphic story increased my imersion instead of derailing it as is the case with many graphic books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
useless
If he can not name who he wrote for or give us something we can't see in any mediocre straight to dvd drug flick - then there was no use writing this book. Read more
Published on August 24, 2010 by L. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Carey has the pacing of an emcee on paper just as much as he does on...
In the '90s, the publishing community saw an explosion of the memoir genre, especially among young first-time authors who detailed their battles with just about every demon... Read more
Published on November 24, 2009 by GraphicNovelReporter.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
From HS Teacher's Point of View
This graphic novel merits its special mention by TIME magazine on its best graphic novels of 2007 list. Read more
Published on January 19, 2009 by D. Williamson
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Graphic Novels of the Year
i remember the first time i watched forest gump, thinking how there couldn't be ANYBODY whose life was that interesting... Read more
Published on January 6, 2009 by Samax Randolph
5.0 out of 5 stars
Carey has a storyteller's voice, an old-school talent to combine words...
In the '90s, the publishing community saw an explosion of the memoir genre, especially among young first-time authors who detailed their battles with just about every demon... Read more
Published on November 17, 2008 by Bookreporter
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
i heard him on "fresh air" on npr and he sounded pretty interesting and well spoken and like he had alot of worthwhile interesting ideas; and without saying that im a fan of them... Read more
Published on March 9, 2008 by Theodore Peterson
1.0 out of 5 stars
All the makings of what seems to be a very interesting story...
A student leant me this book; I read it in a day. He gave it to me because he knew this might be a book I would really like. Read more
Published on February 8, 2008 by dk
5.0 out of 5 stars
The life of the gangster rapper that's REALLY been through the...
REAL RATING = 4.5 STARS
First off, let me say that MF Grimm is one of my favorite rappers of all-time. Read more
First off, let me say that MF Grimm is one of my favorite rappers of all-time. Read more
Published on November 28, 2007 by Stilly
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
