Customer Reviews

Zachary's Wings: A Novel

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is well written and thought-provoking, without being deep. It is a warm and enjoyable story of an African-American love triangle.

Korie, from an aristocratic Jamaican family, is an educated and successful woman. In college, she is charmed by Sam, an intelligent but unambitious schoolmate. They marry, but eventually drift apart.

When Korie meets Zachary, it's magic. But soon Sam becomes gravely ill and needs Korie's constant care. Zachary quickly recognizes Sam's illness as AIDS, but Korie is afraid to confront the implications of that diagnosis, and neither of the men wants to disillusion her. In any case, Zachary soon becomes Sam's primary caretaker. Meanwhile, the stress of handling relations with two lovers, and also trying to live up to her family's expectations, drives Korie deeper and deeper into drug addiction and despair.

After Sam's death, Korie's despair and drug addiction grow worse, and Zachary returns to Philadelphia. But with her family's help, Korie eventually straightens herself and understands what a treasure she had in Zachary.

In Zachary, Robotham has created a saintly character without making him too good to be true - and that's no easy task. I go back to the single criterion I use to decide how well I like a novel: Did I care about these characters? And the answer is a resounding YES. The fact is I loved all three of them for as long as they lived in my imagination while reading this book.

In addition, the book did something for me which I'm not sure Robotham had in mind. It gave me a glimmer of insight into why African-Americans need the companionship of other African-Americans, and will never be completely comfortable as 12% of a White culture. She (Robotham) communicates this without screaming at the reader about the desperate conditions in the ghetto, or by any anti-White diatribes. It is just the cadences of the conversations, the assumptions and routines of daily life, which made me understand why there is nothing necessarily sinister or racist in the tendency of (for example) Black high school students to hang out together.

To accomplish this in less than 300 pages, along with telling a splendid love story, is an impressive accomplishment. Well done, Ms. Robotham!

I don't know where to begin. Zachary's Wings was such a beautifully written book, that I found myself wondering why Ms. Robotham had waited so long to grace us with her talent. The story line was incredibly rich and complex and the characters!--I felt as if Korie and Zach were members of my own family. I read quite a bit of fiction-- particularly works by Black authors. While I enjoy most of what I read, I find the plots to be somewhat predictable and formulaic. What I enjoyed most about Zachary's Wings is that I had no idea what was coming from one page to the next. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, Robotham would take another unanticipated (and greatly appreciated) turn. I can't recall the last time Ive enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed Zacharys Wings.

Thank you!!

I ordered this book by mistake but after reading the book description I decided to keep it. I'm glad I did as it was a very good read.

Zachary Piper is a Philadelphia social worker with a heart of gold. Zach is a compassionate and easy going spirit who's always there for everyone else---family, friends, co-workers, clients and significant others. But who's there for Zachary? Enter Korie Morgan...albeit a driven soul with a fierce competitive nature...she appears to be the perfect mate for Zachary. Well at least she's there at the right time and in the right place. Over a swift weekend, their relationship quickly blossoms and they're professing their undying love for each other. However, there's a slight problem...Korie hasn't come clean regarding her current relationship.

Zachary`s Wing is a compelling and though provoking debut novel. It's an intriguing story about the tangled web of secrets that begin to consume Zach and Korie's lives. Robotham's writing is fluid and lyrical. As she involves us in Zach and Korie's story she shares with us tough and taboo issues that they must face before they can truly be together. Controversial issues such as race, class and culture, sexuality and infidelity. Zachary's Wing is captivating and rich. The characters are memorable and believable and we share in their pain, joy, sorrow and hope. Zachary Wing by Rosemarie Robotham is an insightful and touching look into the nature of human relationships.

I enjoyed Zachary's Wings. The more I read the more interesting it became. Z. W. is more than a love story. It is a life story. I enjoyed Zachary's character and his journey to self awareness. He, as are many social workers, was codependent and it affected all of his relationships throughout his life including familial, occupational, and intimate. (I am speaking as a social worker). I also applaud the author for touching on the community wide family secret of AIDS. I await the author's next novel. The epidemic continues because there are so many situations like Korie's out there. We must break through that denial. AIDS and homosexuality (two separate issues that can affect one another) can and does affect us all.

I just finished reading Zachary's Wings. I took my time reading it becuase I didn't want the book to end. The characters are real people facing real problems. Korie had issues with what other people thought about Zach instead of concentrating on how she felt about Zach. She is also had issues dealing with the betrayl of her husband's hidden pass. Zach was the one to whom everyone turned to to tell their deep and darkest secrets. However, those secrets should not have been secrets but should have been truths told to the people involved. This book is an excellent read. I loof forward to reading more books by Rosemarie Robotham.

This was one of the most tender and moving books I have ever read. Its so rare that you find anything worth smiling over and savoring in the new world of black fiction. It seems like everyone is publishing books now. Thank GOD, we still have authors and not just novices who can construct sentences. Ms. Rothobam restored my faith in the written word and made me realize why I love to read; because every so often you will run across a "Zachary's Wings". Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for such a wonderful book.

I couldn't put this book down. I finished it in two days! I especially loved the character of the Zach Man. He was such a caring African American male. It was nice to see a book defy the stereotypes. Ms. Robotham is an excellent story teller and her characters are very believeable. A lot of them are really troubled, which is like real life. The relationships run very deep. The book was also quite erotic in place. Also, the author really understands middle class life in Jamaica. I'm Jamaican like Korie and I could really identify with her background and I could see why she was so attracted to Zachary. I hope Ms. Robotham writes a sequel!

At first I thought this book was going to be predictable but it is anything but predictable. I couldn't put it down. The language is beautiful and the plot takes turns I never expected. It's refreshing to read a book that shows other sides of African-Americans and the lives we lead.

I absolutely loved this book. I am not a "random fiction reader" but I was quite pleased with this book. The tale of an African American male being the core of his family is wonderful and refreshing. It pays tribute to the millions of Zachary's of this world who are often cast in such a negative light because of stereotype and the various isms that plague our society. This book was well crafted as it told the stories from multiple view points which is essential (I think) to any story.
I am anxious to read other tales from this author as this novel clearly indicates that her mind is a treasure chest.

I recieved Zachary's Wings as a Christmas present and had no knowledge whatsoever of RR and had never heard of this book, so of course I was cautious. I figured since RR worked with Essence Magazine she had to be worth a try.

From the first chapter I was hooked. You will love the Zach and Korie and sometimes tears will form in you eyes because of the pain in this piece of work (if you are emotional like me). While I was reading I got the impression that the author knows these people so well as if she were writing about herself.

This book has been out a while but do yourself a favor and read it. Every person should have a Zach in their lives and if you have never had the "Zach Experience" this book will leave you begging for this kind of compassion in a mate.