White Lines [Paperback]

Tracy Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2007

Jada left home at the age of sixteen, running from her own demons and the horrors of physical abuse inflicted by her mother's boyfriend. She partied hard, and life seemed good when she was with Born, the neighborhood kingpin whose name was synonymous with money, power, and respect. But all his love couldn't save her from a crack addiction. Jada goes from crack addict and prostitute to survivor and back again before she finds the strength to live for herself and come out on top. And her stormy romance with one of the fiercest hustlers on the streets makes White Lines one of the most unforgettable urban loves stories of the year.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brown's epic (after Criminal Minded) explores New York's ghettoes of the 1980s and '90s, following two characters caught up in the crack epidemic. Brooklynite Jada turns to the drug to numb the pain caused by an abusive stepfather and helpless mother. Her transformation from feisty teenager into crackhead is rapid and explicit, and Brown spares no wretched detail of Jada's descent. Meanwhile, on Staten Island, Born is growing from the impressionable son of a legendary "Original Gangster" into a hardcore hustler in his own right, fueled in part by the hurt over his father's weakness for the rock. When Born and a newly clean Jada cross paths as young adults, their common survivor spirit sparks a fairy tale love, and for a time, they live the blinged-out high life together. But one careless snort of coke at a party sends Jada spiraling again, and Born shuns her. It's not long before strung-out Jada hits bottom. Jada and Born reunite years later after escaping the drug world, but the overlong conclusion devolves into redundancy as the lessons learned pile up. As ugly as their actions can be, Brown's characters are sympathetically drawn, and the Goodfellas-like take on the gangster life is eye-opening. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

''Tracy Brown once again proves that the art of storytelling isn't dead.'' --K'wan, national bestselling author

''Tracy Brown does it again . . . White Lines will most definitely be a hood classic.'' --Shannon Holmes, national bestselling author --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312336489
• ISBN-13: 978-0312336486
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - It Ain't Easy Being Me, February 10, 2007

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: White Lines (Paperback)

In WHITE LINES, Jada Ford's life is turned upside down due to her mother's indifference towards the cruelty her boyfriends inflict on her children. One of Jada's mother's boyfriends is an alcoholic whose verbal, physical and attempted sexual abuse is the impetus for Jada's sister attempting suicide. Mr. Charlie, Edna's next boyfriend, seems nicer, but his ultimate goal is more malicious, as he feeds Jada's addiction to crack and turns her into a crack whore before she is 21 years of age.

When Jada regains control of her life and her sobriety, she meets Marquis Graham known on the streets as "Born". Born's early years are similar to Jada's, without the addiction. All he knows is the streets. His father was a notorious original gangster, who is now an invalid due to a stroke caused by his addiction to crack, which has torn their once close relationship apart. Born and Jada are immediately drawn to each other and begin a fairy tale relationship. However, fairy tales don't last forever; Jada's action at a party drastically alters her life.

WHITE LINES is a blunt, evocative, explosive urban epic by Tracy Brown. I was very impressed by the manner in which Brown developed the characters. Instead of being angry at Jada, I understood her pain based on the thoroughness in which the character was developed. While Born is not your average Prince Charming, in WHITE LINES, he suited the purpose. The strength of this novel lies in believable characters living amazing lives. At 516 pages, the book seemed a bit excessive, but once I began reading, I was not able to put it down. WHITE LINES is definitely one of the best books of 2007.

Reviewed by Katrina
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's Back!!!!!!!, March 20, 2007

By 

Delonya Conyers {Hotchklate} "Coast2CoastReaders" (Bronx, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: White Lines (Paperback)

Essence best selling author Tracy Brown is unquestionably at the top of her game. While other authors have difficulty penning 150 page books that resemble pamphlets Tracy Brown has composed a near 500 page masterpiece. The sheer size of White Lines may be daunting to inexperienced readers, however by just browsing the foreword they'll become entranced by Tracy's heartfelt confession. Her confession is an admission of guilt that doesn't just apply to authors but to musicians and film makers as well. That admission is the all too common glorification of the drug game that's found throughout each art form.

In countless books, records and movies this glorification of the drug game is portrayed while the damage to our communities is down played. White Lines details the crack era in it's entire capacity from the perspective of it's heartfelt characters Jada, Born, Ingrid, Dorian and Sunny. Don't get it twisted in no way does White Lines read like an after-school special or a "Just Say No To Drugs" campaign. Tracy Brown utilizes her impeccable way with words to pen a tale that actually transcends urban lit.

Tracy Brown more than proved her talent with her previous novels Criminal Minded, Black and Dime Piece. But with White Lines not only does she use her skill to entertain but she also educates the reader to an invaluable lesson, that the game has love for no one.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ghetto Love Story, March 22, 2007

By 

CHayes "Cheryl" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: White Lines (Paperback)

White Lines written by Tracy Brown is the Book of the Year. This ghetto love story leaves nothing to the imagination, with its fair share of drugs, money, abuse and unconditional love. The story line is so real and believable that I found myself screaming at the characters, feeling their pain, and cheering them on when things started looking up.

The story opens with the tale of two lives that are struggling to find their place in society. Jada is your everyday girl, growing up in Brooklyn and trying to fit in. Her life is turned around when she is exposed to drugs, sex, lies and mayhem. Will Jada be able to save herself or will she be known as another statistic?

Born is the son of a well-known street hustler and wants to own the world. But, when he is faced with the mean streets of Staten Islands top competitors in the drug game, can he stand the pressure or will he fall victim to the very same streets in which he is hustling?

The streets are watching and when this couple runs into each other it will be anyoneâ(tm)s guess who will be left standing. Will Jada prove to be like all the other girls just looking for stardom and some quick cash, or could she really turn her life around and fall in love with this thug? Will Born let his guard down and love someone other than himself, without feeling that everyone is against him?

Unconditional love is what the tale of White Lines provides us; this book is for anyone who has ever faced their fears and dreams, hopes and desires, to love and be loved. This book will make you laugh and cry at the same time, wishing for the best and mad at the outcome of certain situations. I cannot explain the overwhelming feeling I got as I sat up to finish the last 50 pages. I was rooting for the couple that was domed before they even got a fair chance. To be 500 pages it was a quick read, well-written and worth every page.

Reviewed by Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub