Customer Reviews

Truth Be Told: Tales of Life, Love, and Drama

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

 

 

To me there's nothing sexier than seeing a Black man reading except maybe seeing a Black man who writes! I have a confession to make. I judged this book by the cover. It really stood out from everything. When I read it, I was so glad I made the purchase. I judged right! These stories show the male side of relationships. I thought I knew everything about men but even I learned something! LOL. This book shows some of the macho side of men but it also goes into the emotional, sensitive side that women don't get to see so much. Some of the stories were funny, a few were sexy, and a couple of them were amazing! All around I was very pleased. I love reading stories by Black male writers.

I commend Mr. Travis Hunter, Mr. Michael T. Owens, and all of the beautiful Black men who shared their work. I hope there will be a volume 2!

It's still a rarity to find African-American male fiction authors, so when I read one that I like, I latch on. Although disappointed that Travis Hunter, one of my favorite authors, had no story contributions in here, I looked forward to the other offers. One of the most onpoint entries in this book was from Kenji Jasper: "The last thing I want you to think is that there is one of those kinds of stories, one of those paperbacks you see on the street that're all sex and no substance." I totally felt him on that, because somewhere along the line, fiction became porn...and I have yet to meet anyone who reads the stories behind porn. I don't care who licked, sucked, pumped what! I just want to read a good plot, so I thought Jasper was right on point. Needless to say, Jasper did NOT disappoint.

DAWN: ...was an intelligent story about a young couple who decides on whether parenthood and the responsibilities afterward. No doubt my second favorite story in here.

DRIVING WHILE BLACK: ...was one of those man's fantasy stories with all lust and very little substance.

TIES THAT BIND: ...was an interesting story about an interracial relationship, family bonds, and a set-up. Although it wrapped up a little melodramatically, I liked the principle of it.

THE HARRISBURG TEASE: ...was an entertaining story about an artist and a customer, with undertones of a writer's lifestyle. I dug that story.

SINFENDELITY: ...was a little too stereotypical with an unbelieveable amount of slang, and I couldn't really get into it, so I didn't finish it.

LAST REMNANTS OF A GOOD SITUATION: ...was my favorite story about the difficulty of being "a good man." The quote at the end was dead-on.

BEAUTIFUL ONES: ...seemed to be about weed and sex, so I didn't even bother finishing that one.

FOR THAT QUIET TIME OF THE DAY: ...would've been a really good story if it wasn't so extra. Everybody was too extreme: extreme jerks, extreme betrayal, extreme easiness, extremely ghetto. If you like Jerry Springer and/or soap operas, then this is the ideal story for you. But too much drama turned me off to the story, although it had a good theme. I think if it had been toned down a little, I'd have really liked it.

THE OBJECT OF HIS OBSESSION: I wish I'd have been left in the dark a little in regards to the sex details. Refer back to my previous comment next to Jasper's story. I kept rolling my eyes at all the graphic details and hoping that the plot was worth reading. It wasn't for me, but I'm sure it is for those who enjoy these types of stories.

Truth be told, I'm glad I was given this book instead of purchasing it.

Truth Be Told: Tales of Life, Love and Drama is a collection of short stories by male authors. Despite the title, I did not find this collection to posses a common theme. Where was the love? Where was the drama? One story wasn't even told from the male perspective. With most anthologies, you end up with some really good stories and then a few that don't hold their own against the others. Not here. Overall, the stories lacked excitement, pizzazz, and intrigue. In fact, I found most of them to be flat out dull and boring. I continued reading in hopes that the next story would be better. I knew I would find salvation in the last story by Jonathan Luckett, the author I am most familiar with from this collaboration. I was wrong. His story was as disappointing as the rest. Nane Quartay's "The Beautiful Ones" was decent at best and the only glimpse of hope in this otherwise lackluster read. I normally finish an anthology looking to read the full length novels of the authors new to me. That was definitely not the case here.

I give this book two stars, generously, for effort.

Michael T. Owens has compiled and edited a collection of works from the perspective of male authors, focusing on life, love, and relationships, which of course, includes the drama that comes with it. With stories centering around fidelity versus infidelity, facing decisions of the past, a good relationship gone bad, obsession with another's lover, and many other angles; TRUTH BE TOLD is a collection in which readers will find something to meet their fancy. Opening with an introduction by fiction writer, Travis Hunter, the book's goal is immediately brought to the forefront. In addition to Owens' story, the collection includes stories by Robert Fleming, Kenji Jasper, Robert L. Anderson, James Lewis, V. Anthony Rivers, Nane Quartay, Eric James Fullilove, Edwardo Jackson, and Jonathan Luckett.

TRUTH BE TOLD demonstrates that men think on a range of levels and emotions. While I didn't necessarily enjoy every story in this collection, I did appreciate the intent for compiling such a range of styles, thoughts, and writing capabilities. In writing short stories, it is sometimes too hard to compose all the good characteristics of a good story in so few pages. This was a case with a few of the stories as the reader is left wondering why a character acted as they did or how the obstacles posed ended. I would like to see some of them in actual full-length novels to see the character development and each author's specific writing brought to the forefront. It was good though to be introduced to lesser known authors and revisit some of the well-known ones.

Owens is to be commended for pulling together such a varied cast of writers, which will hopefully bring more male readers into the fold as well as assist the opposite sex in understanding somewhat how interactions with men can play themselves out. As shown through this book, open and honest communication is a truly important aspect of relationships.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Truth Be Told is a refreshing collection of stories by today's hottest male writers. "Driving While Black" by Robert Fleming is about a man who confronts his past during an unusual traffic stop. Michael T. Owens' "Ties That Bind" features a man in a strange love triangle. Kenji Jasper's "Dawn" gives readers a tease of the forthcoming sequel to his riveting novel Dark. "The Harrisburg Tease" by Robert L. Anderson is about a struggling artist who wants to give his client more than art. "Sinfidelity" by James Lewis follows a married man in Las Vegas that struggles to stay faithful. V. Anthony Rivers tells a tale of love gone sour in "Last Remnants Of A Good Situation." Step into the seedy life of a porn star in Nane Quartay's "The Beautiful Ones." " For That Quiet Time Of Day" by Eric James Fullilove takes a humorous look at the day in the life of an account executive. Edwardo Jackson tells about a woman's horrible emotional state when her boyfriend disappears in "Postcards From Hell." Jonathan Luckett tells a shocking psychological tale about a man's fascination with his friend's wife in "The Object Of His Obsession."

Truth Be Told is a wonderful anthology told from the Black male perspective. Michael T. Owens did an outstanding job of editing all of these varying stories together. This collection should be enjoyed by all that have a chance to read it.

I enjoy anthologies because I like reading stories by different authors. Between my sister and me we've read just about every anthology out from Zane, Triple Crown, Urban books, and all of the major publishers. I found Truth Be Told to be the most well rounded yet! These stories have just the right mix of EVERYTHING you could want-drama, sex, politics, humor, psychology, romance, etc. Any of them could be a book by themselves. I can tell each author put a great deal of thought into their work. If anybody gives awards for anthologies Truth Be Told should get it!!! My sister and I both thought it was refreshing to see positive Black men doing something constructive with their talents. We were familiar with Kenji Jasper, Michael T. Owens, Travis Hunter and the Strebor Books authors in the anthology, but we were introduced to new authors we didn't know. I know I'll definitely check out their other books. This book left a smile on my face. It might leave one on yours too.