The Strong, Silent Type

Rating:
Summary: Getting past the obstacles in life...
Review: Before one can truly examine the issues in his/her relationship with others, they must first be aware of the weaknesses they possess both within and on the surface. It is only then that they will be capable of truly living life and following their dreams. In his January 2005 release, THE STRONG SILENT TYPE, C. Kelly Robinson has created a storyline and characters who leave the reader with a feeling of accomplishment and acceptance, as well as the inspiration that they can come to terms with what ails us.

Deacon Davis is a former professional football player, turned director of the American Dream Party; established in the interest of African-American voters across the country. He dreams of following in the steps of his father and
living up to the legacy of the Davis name. When he's forced to resign from his position as a result of stuttering through a nationally televised interview, and later has a confrontation with his son's teacher, he falters and begins questioning himself. Though he's always had problems with his speech, over the years he's learned how to hide his impediment. Unfortunately, with the loss of his job he begins to question his self-worth and comes to the realization that he needs professional help.

Deacon enrolls in a Speech Recovery Program and is assigned to Maria Oliver, a speech therapist on staff. Maria has her own problems and finds herself not only trying to keep her mind off her personal problems, but also off the attraction she has to Deacon. Because of the ethics involved, Maria attempts to provide Deacon with the guidance necessary to conquer his fears of speaking. It's obvious they both have their own personal demons and baggage, but will they be able to overcome their issues?

Most people have some type of baggage or obstacle in their lives which aid in making them feel inferior to others at time. Through this novel Robinson has clearly shown how we can all persevere through past afflictions, learn to appreciate ourselves, and continue on the path towards our dreams. Despite any type of struggle that exists, it is possible to move past it. THE STRONG SILENT TYPE is a well put together package, one I could use to help understand my own family members who stutter. The individual storylines add depth to the story and the bonus "mystery" throughout the novel adds an extra hint of suspense not normally mixed into the contemporary fiction novel. I absolutely loved the realness shown in the characters. Their flaws, weaknesses and fears intermingled well with their successes, hopes, and dreams. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers


Rating:
Summary: terrific contemporary tale
Review: Not quite thirty, Deacon Davis failed in his attempt to leave behind his glory days as a Pittsburgh Steeler star defensive back to direct the American Dream Party when he stuttered on Fox TV News. His beloved cousin tells him that "George Bush sounds more articulate". Feeling depressed for his recent string of failures including a divorce that culminated with the on air fiasco, Deacon still has one obsession that keeps him fired up. He wants to foster the civil rights legacy of his renowned late father who died in a mysterious DC hotel fire.

He knows he must work on his stuttering problem when he has difficulty speaking at a school meeting involving his high school aged son Dejuan who is in trouble for dissing females. Deacon meets speech therapist Maria Oliver at the adult Speech Recovery Clinic. As she helps him with his impediment, an attraction explodes into a one night stand that breaks ethical rules. Yet both want more, but will either risk the chance of rejection.

THE STRONG SILENT TYPE is a terrific contemporary tale that grips readers with its deep cast especially the title character who struggles to enhance his father's legacy, but feels somewhat helpless of achieving this objective due to his stuttering. Deacon is a fabulous protagonist whose woes to include falling in love make for a fine novel; Maria is his ideal counterpart with her own baggage especially her need to tell her biological son, raised in love by a married family member and his wife, who she is. The lead couple's relationship is THE PERFECT BLEND for fans who appreciate a poignant insightful modern day character study.

Harriet Klausner