Rating: 
Summary: Sandra Jackson-Opoku does it again!
Review: Sandra Jackson-Opoku is a celebrated new voice in the fictional literary mix, bringing forth a unique view from the African Diaspora. Already having published her initial book (The River Where Blood Is Born; Ballantine/1999), her latest offering, HOT JOHNNY, is an honest, humorous, often disturbing portrait of the protagonist, a scarred man, husband, father, lover, gang member, and athlete. Born John "the Babtist" Wright to a drunkard father who abandoned the family, and to a mother who disowned him, he was able to sytematically survive on his own throughout time from the battlefields of Chicago, Memphis, and finally North Carolina, in a series of episodal events chronicling Johnny's life through the women who love, hate him, and ultimately are left by him. The episodes are told retrospectively where each woman is given a chapter to craft an image individually of their life with Johnny. Yet, as you read and encounter their stories you get the feeling that there is much more to this man than his reputation. The question, "who IS this hot number, and why did they fall for him" has the tendency to stay with you as you follow the action, despite the rather tedious descriptive analysis of each women's diatribe. This is a good read if the author succeeds in having you believe that the plot and subplot supports the 'victims' claims that Johnny is central to their plights. Sandra Jackson-Opoku is now teaching Creative Writing at the University of Miami, shows strength as a writer by moving seamlessly from girlfriend banter to formal-speak with ease. With this type of storytelling, I think that she has a distinctive place in African-American literature.
Rating:
Summary: Prolific, deep!
Review: This beautiful book was recommended by a friend and I am glad I took up on the suggestion. Hot Johnny's story (or rather, everyone else's stories) moved me. I haven't quite finished it yet (2/3 of the way through), but I can't stop bragging to my friends about it. Jackson-Opoku's style is a craft, taking me back to classic writers like Alice Walker, Zora Neale-Hurston, and Toni Morrison. Like many other reviewers said, this is not the type of book for lightweight readers, but those who have the depth and understanding for prose, diversity, and patience to appreciate and dissect a serious read. Jackson-Opoku's story-twining ability is remarkable and few can weave like that. This is definitely a choice to add to the bookshelf!
Rating: 
Summary: don't hate the player, hate the game....
Review: this book is about a one of a kind player, who is worldly, articulate, manipulative, and able to get under skirts easier than a breeze. johnny's story is colorful: he goes from being a foster-child, to male lolita, to gang-banger, to soldier-boy, to cananova, touching the lives of the women he meets, literally and physically.... ms. opoku can write. that said, this book has enough sex to keep you reading. even without the erotica, the story is strong. through the eyes of women, we come to see how john the bapist wright became the man he was... the religious symbolism was excessive; it weighed down the book, and some of the symbolism went over my head. the scenes involving the church and the church lady were boring. the chapter about cinnamon is hilarious and tragic: she knows she's a hoochie mama and is unrepentant. to quote a song" she uses what she got to get what she wants..." feminists will drink a bottle of haterade when it comes to cinnamon. jonavis' chapter consists mostly of letters to her grandmother, and very moving...malaika is independent, brassy and impressive...lola belle should've been 86'd from the book; nothing personal. i just didn't like her...the last chapter in the book about johnny's grandmother is the best, worth the 4 star rating alone. her story is dreamy and poetic. i read it twice. it was that good....also give props to ms opoku for taking on the issue of female genital mutilation, which still goes on sadly in african countries. a very good first book....
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Book
Review: This book is the second worst book I read this year, I purchased a hard cover based on the reading on the back of the book, I attempted to read it twice but the book was a flop ,if possible would you like to puchase this book back even if at half price. Come on lets make a deal. The book was so bad you can have it for free if you like.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't Grab Reader's Attention
Review: This book just did not peak my interest like other books I've read. Too many different stories for one character, makes the plot (if there is one) too confusing. The story is also a tad unrealistic.
Rating:
Summary: read like short stories
Review: This book really read like short stories, all the women who Hot Johnny had spent time with each has a chapter about how he affected their lives. Johnny left a big impact on all the women's life. The novel was ok, but sometime you get lost trying to remember the time frame that he was with each lady.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Surprise!
Review: This book was for me a surprise because 1. the author was unknown to me and 2. because I expected the book to be a typical love story. I was pleasantly surprised. The author is a true writer and the story was a true love story--the way is happens in real life with a not-so-perfect brother and not-so-perfect sisters loving him for not-so-perfect reasons. Now, that's life and I enjoyed reading about it tremendously. Her characters were hilarious and their dialogue was authentic. I now have another favorite author of this genre of fiction: Ms. Sandra Jackson-Opoku!
Rating:
Summary: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................
Review: This book was WACK. NOt at all what I was expecting the concept that it was supose to didn't turn out they way it should. DOn't waste your money buy a paper back or better yet a used it's not worth the money
Rating:
Summary: Well Written.............
Review: This has been one of the first books that I have read by Sandra Jackson-Opoku and it was very intreging. I Love the way she had intertwine the stories of each person involving Johnny's life who was mostly raise and helped by woman. I tell you this much if it wasn't for them females and his looks he would of been on the streets scraping for changes just like any other homeless man. Her written is very poetic and colorful just like her cover. The book isn't for everybody as I agree with some of the readers and it's for high readers which have more of a open mind to the different eras of culture and time frames engulf around Johnny's up bringing. Yes I do believe the title can be a bit misleading for some reviewers but you have to understand as to why he was giving that name. The reason why I havn't givin it a 5 star is because it does have alot of characters which can be confusing at times but as long as you stick to it they all have thier purpose in being there. I'm happy that it's part of my collection.
Rating:
Summary: carefully woven and crafted
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. I love the fact that a wide range of characters discuss Johnny. From the U.S. to Africa and everywhere in between. Sandra Jackson-Opoku has truly outdone herself!
|
