Hoodlum: A Novel

by K'wan

Book Overview

He set out to be the good son, but the streets had a different plan. Born to one of the city's most notorious crime families, Shai Clark has always managed to be a good kid. A college hoops star, Shai... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312333080
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.9" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Straight Gangsta

If you are a fan of Gangster movies like the Godfather and Scarface then this is the book for you. I was unable to put this book down. Every chapter had me eager to get to the next.

You can take the boy out the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out the boy!!! You betta ask so

"Hoodlum" is a classic mobster tale African-American style. Sitting at the helm of the throne as the infamous "Godfather" is 'Poppa Clark'. He has played the game well and is ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Of couse he is ready to pass the crown to his first born, Tommy, to continue the legacy of the Clark family. Tommy is anxious to play his role, because as a new generation, he thinks 'changes need to be made.' But, a quick temper, smart mouth, and a hard head does not lead to a successful transition. Then enters, cool, calm, and classy Shai, the baby boy, that has been steered away from 'the life' his entire life. But the thrill of the streets is much to intriguing for Shai to ignore. Contemplative, manipulative, and wise, Shai quietly steps into the shoes that were designed for his feet only and rides the waves, tornadoes, and all the storms like no other. If you enjoy action, drama, edge of the seat suspense, this is the party you want to attend! K'wan has put it down Kwanstyle, in which it's like no other. Come and witness how our people overcome all obstacles gangsta wise! If my opinion meant anything, my vote would be for the silver screen. I can envision Ving Rhames as 'Poppa Clark', Mekhi Phifer - Tommy, Omar Epps- Shae, and Larenz Tate- as Swan. Urban lit continue to let your light shine!!! They can't sleep on your forever!

Harlem Stand Up

I hesitated buying this book at first, but the reviews that this book has recevied made me go buy it to see what I was missing. I seriously could not put this book down. K'wan took you into the belly of the beast. He showed you what Harlen is really like. Nothing sugar coated. Real life. As I read this book, I saw exactly what was being potrayed to me, it was like I was right there. I am offically a true fan of this author. This book is a must read.

K'wan Foye Does It Again!!!!

While reading the review posted by Radiah Hubbert from Urban-Reviews.com, I just had to say that I co-sign 100% with everything you posted. I couldn't put it any better but I just had to post so I could give Mr. Foye that other 1/2 star you left off. It's no secret that I'm a fan of K'wan's work. But he just keeps getting better and better. He kicked down the door with Gangsta. You would think it couldn't get much better than that hood classic but he has shown nothing but growth since then. Road Dawgs, Street Dreams and now Hoodlum is providing a legacy that will remain for years to come. I know all the K'wan fans like myself have already read this one. But for all of you who haven't read anything by K'wan please pick up this book and afterwards I promise that you'll purchase everything ever written by him. Kwan Foye is like fine wine he just keeps getting better with time!!!!!!

MY NI99A K'WAN HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!!

K'WAN FOYE HAS WRITTEN ANOTHA CLASSIC YET AGAIN!! People if you haven't gotten this book, I suggest u get it A.S.A.P. K'wan takes it bak to the streets of New York again. This book wasn't just a hood classic but also a good moral lesson learned. K'wan introduces us 2 three main characters which are Poppa(the father), Tommy(the oldest son) and Shai(the youngest son). Poppa was a notorius drug lord in the streets of N.Y. and a wise businessman, but he realized that his time and success as drug kingpin of N.Y. was coming to an end and so therefore he was passing his throne down 2 Tommy. The only problem with Tommy was that unlike his father his first strategy to solving every problem was war. Shai was one of the best basketball players in the country and had big dreams of making it to the Nba until he got kicked out of college for gambling.Poppa was disappointed in Shai because he had bigger dreams for him 2 finish school and even make it to the big leagues until he destroyed it all. Shai therefore came back to N.Y. for the summer to get his mind off from school, after getting kicked out of school to live with his father. Shai had no idea that this summer was going to be the worst summer of his life. Events turned out for the worst when Poppa was murdered by a scheme orchastrated by the leader of the Italian's whose name was Mike. Tommy went into a rage when this incident occurred and on top of all that he was being linked to a murder he had orchestrated earlier and would probably never even get his chance to go back to the streets and finish what his father started. So there remained only one Clark Boy that could take over and that was Shai. Although Shai knew that his father had other intentions for him, he knew that he would not let his father's murder go unsolved. Shai orchastrated murders of all the enemies to the Clark's name and the city of N.Y. looked like a war zone.However, like Tommy Shai was wise like his father and knew how to deal with people. After all the rampage that occurred when his father died, ultimately Shai decided to reunite the crews and get a new beginning which he did. Shai took over his father's drug industry and all its dealings, including his father's unfinished business work. I learned a lot from reading this book and I think you would too. This is a MUST READ BOOK 4 EVERY K'WAN BOOK LOVER!! DON'T MISS OUT YOUR CHANCE ON ONE OF THE BEST HOOD LEGEND BOOKS TO EVER BE WRITTEN!!.