Customer Reviews

Waiting in Vain: A Novel

5 star:		(393)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I hope it doesn't sound swinish of me to say that this book is really, REALLY aimed at women.

At first, I thought I liked the book, but the more I think about it, I realize that I really don't. Its protagonist, Fire, is the sort of perfect man that a lot of women like to fantasize about: handsome, smart, educated, funny, talented, always , always sensitive... Therein lies the problem. The man has no apparent faults. Even when he's in bed with another man's girlfriend and the boyfriend walks up to the door, all he can think about is that if he spends the night, he'll be depriving this man of a bed to sleep in! I mean, that's a good attitude, but how realistic is it? And how interesting to read? I kept waiting for Fire to mess up, to act like a normal human being so we could see some conflict, some test of character, but it never came. He never became Clark Kent, was always Superman.

On the other hand, the charcater Ian is a lot more vulnerable and sympathetic, but Channer treats him with something akin to contempt, showing the author's simple-minded sense of good and evil. Channer has stressed that this book is not one of those "African-American relationship novels," and I agree. While Waiting in Vain is more erudite in its prose style (if a bit overdone), it doesn't even have the complexity of a "relationship" novel. I'd classify among those romance novels that feature a shirtless Fabio on the cover.

First of all, I'd just like to thank Colin Channer for giving me hope in knowing that men can be sensitive and that they do have feelings and that they do, and can, want to have a meaningful relationship with one woman.

Colin's character Fire was able to convey his feelings verbally and on paper. I found myself wanting to find a man like that for myself. Although Fire was fictional I completed that book knowing that there is someone out there with at least a few of his characteristics.

Waiting In Vain was more than a boy-meets-girl love story. It explored some tough issues in regards to the type of people we give our hearts to. I saw some of myself in Sylvia, Fire's love interest. It was more than a designer-name dropping novel that has flooded the African-American book market. I was truly entertained and realized that reading a good book is about what the words are saying to your mind and to your heart.

I am so amazed and in awe of Colin's abilities to express himself with the written word. I want to run to the grocery store to buy some mangoes and I definitely want to plan a trip to Jamaica. And that's another thing. I enjoyed the diferent locales, something you don't find in other books. Colin is so doggone talented I am mad at him for not writing a book sooner. Oh,to be in love with a man like Fire! Colin was able to convey the message of love without sugarcoating it and making the reader think it was easy. I couldn't read enough pages fast enough. That book was always the first thing I picked up when I came through the door from work and it was the last thing I reluctantly put down when I went to sleep. I hated for the book to end. When it did end, I had a huge smile on my face. I am not giving up on love, that's what that smile meant.

This was an excellent read. I recommend this to both women and men who are searching for that special someone.

As I start to write this review, I am worried that I will not find the words to adequately express how much I loved this book! I have read books where I have loved and rooted for characters as friends. This was the first time I saw myself and my thoughts in characters, and felt understood. It was great to read about characters who were well-traveled, enjoyed learning, loved music and books, yet were down to earth.

Waiting in Vain is a beautifully poetic novel about love, loss, self-discovery, and fulfillment. Mr. Channer provides emotional and academic stimulation; he also touches on class and political issues. I was so engrossed with sitting in on the lives, feeling the breeze, and tasting the fruits that I forgot I was reading.

The book also gave me hope, in that if a man could write with such passion, love, and sensitivity there is a chance I will find my fire. Buy this book! You will not regret it, most likely you will thank me.

To read Colin Channer's book, "Waiting in Vain" is to be invited into a world that mirrors the anxiety, heartache and angst we all feel as we navigate this mindfield called love. The characters are well-drawn, credible-they could be anyone we know. Channer has a mastery of language, a deft touch and an eye for detail that brings to life the Caribbean experience in America. He has produced a stunning, original work that smashes the cookie-cutter, formulaic stories that populate the "romance" "love story" genre. His is not a love story in the traditional sense, but a life story-a slice of the lives of characters who attract and repel us, who challange our perceptions of love, honesty, betrayal; and the book, by it's scope encourages those who dare to branch out on a path of discovery and daring or risk "waiting in Vain" for the life they seek to find them.

I had gotten away from reading some of the black relationship books simply because the experiences, first of all, were not mine or ones that I could accept as the inevitable as black relationships go. I've done myself a disservice in some respects having read some pretty shallow writers. One reviewer said she had no intention of buying this book as was the case with me. I just wasn't in the mood for another "woman-with-no-clue -what-she-wants-man-with-only-one-agenda story. Fire jumpstarted the idea in my mind that there are sensitive black men out there who are differently defined and are able to express themselves and love with respect. I enjoyed the book, not so much for the vivid Jamaican imagery, but because it reminded me again that we're all looking for something special. I was glad to see Fire and Sylvia find that in each other. I look forward to the depth of this kind of writing in more of our black writers out there! Thanks to my friend Shanta, who introduced me to Waiting in Vain!

First of all, I can't tell you how much this book has changed my past, and present experiences. The twist, suspense, and erotic theme of the book is brilliant. I had to put the book down at times, and spend time with my mate, because this book was so real. I hate to say it, but I felt like a character in each scene. When it came to Fire, and Slyvia, I took turns of who I would be at that time, and it was exciting. I could not put this book down to save my life, the cover is what caught my eye, the reflection in her glasses, just blew my mind.

The island setting was terrific, I am from Trini, and loved the description of places, and characters that Fire would come across while in Jamaica.

Do not hesitate on this one, you will regret it.

Waiting in Vain was disappointing because of the many cliches and predictable scenes. Sylvia was the most pathetic, helpless woman I've read about in a long time. Is that how men view women, as helpless, overly emotional creatures needing a savior? Also, is man's definition of romance always centered around sex? How about stimulating conversation about real issues. However, I did appreciate Fire's observation of class distinctions and his recognition that privilege can afford one a carefree approach to self-actualization. I can also appreciate Channer's use of Patois in the story, but it does not compare to the innovative approach of Zora Neale Hurston.

Colin Channer is a son of Caribbean soil, a single soul merely descendant of those slaves who chose life over suicide throughout the triangular slave trade.

Like most of us Afrikan descendants he has an innate passion for his work, a mini-universe that channels himself into beautiful lyrics. He is a lyrical god to those who understand where his passion resides and the fact that its source is infinite, his contributions are sure to continue to colour and shape our apetitie for good writing.

Ode to Colin Channer, for writing Waiting in Vain was his first crime against mediocrity in modern romance fiction, setting the standards for his brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and all Diaspora.

Yah Bless you Colin Channer.

Signed: Obvious Fan for Obvious Reasons

Sekara

In the summer of 2002, a woman sitting across from me on the subway saw me reading SATISFY MY SOUL and said, "that's a good book, but you should read his first one, WAITING IN VAIN." I already liked Colin Channer's writing, and took the woman's advice & borrowed WAITING IN VAIN from the library. I had to return it before I finished it, but I didn't renew the loan. Instead, I purchased a copy because I want to build a collection of Mr Channer's writing in my personal library.
It's refreshing to read the work of an author who actually KNOWS how to write! I'm drawn to the rich detail about places I know and love-Manhattan & Brooklyn-and have visited-London & Kingston, Jamaica. The characters don't seem like imagined individuals thrown together; I can smell & see & taste them, and feel them when they touch one another. They're like people I've known, and like I am-all rooted in the real world. They worry and cry and laugh about things I do. I feel drawn to Fire, Sylvia, Ian and Margaret emotionally, and even [physic]ally. Channer writes about their love, fear, sadness & joy with romance, wit & eroticism. Several times, I've had to close the book when I read it on the subway, to stifle tears or hide an [...].
I'm a [neophyte] author, and should I ever get published I hope my work will touch, arouse and thoroughly entertain readers the way Colin Channer's writing has done to me.
I highly recommend this book, and Mr Channer's other work, to everyone who enjoys excellent writing.

This book was amazing to me. I never read such a story that is so real as this. Colin weaves words with magic. He takes you in, takes you deep into the heart of his characters. The whole feel of this story was wonderful.What woman wouldn't fall in love with Fire! He was the perfect man, humble, spirited and so tastefully erotic.I too am Waiting In Vain for Colin's next novel.. What a beauty you have crafted Colin. And Satisfy My Soul did exactly that, satisfy my soul..The literary world needed this kind of spirit.