Run in the Fam'ly

by John J. McLaughlin

Book Overview

"Jake Robertson, a young Black man snared in the welfare-to-work rut, longs to make a better way for his family. Piecing together minimum-wage jobs and drawing - illegally - on public assistance... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572335955
• ISBN13: 9781572335950
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Univ Tennessee Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Man in Full

This is a challenging, rewarding novel with a strong heart at the center. The official reviews above compare it to Baldwin and Zola for its interest in social justice, and I see why. But what struck me most was the terrific main character, shown in all sides without shame, and that reminded me of Joyce. He once explained how he chose Odysseus as a model character because he was "a man in full": son, father, warrior, hustler, fool. That's just as true of Run in the Fam'ly's narrator, Jake, who shows himself stripped bare by his circumstances and choices. There are tough times here, but a lot of hope, too. Jake seems just as startled as the reader when he stumbles through his hardships and confusion to find, despite it all, that he's managed to make a life.

A Must Read for Social Justice!

For all those who acknowledge the systemic injustices upholding the harsh realities and daily struggles of the inner city poor in America and for those who dare to dream of a brighter, more hopeful, future, here is a brilliant novel written by a promising and talented young new writer, John McLaughlin. I was greatly impressed not only by the author's lyrical and poignant style of writing, but also by the breadth of character analysis that lies at the heart of the novel's father-son plot. Jake Robertson's turbulent and complicated relationship with his father makes for a compelling and dramatic storyline. The overall language and choice of diction conveys the author's intimate understanding and ground level relationship with the forgotten and often overlooked people of our society: the homeless, incarcerated, drunks, drug abusers and those stuck in the welfare rut. By choosing to voice the needs and concerns of the voiceless, McLaughlin proves to be both bold and compassionate. While reading this novel, I gained a better appreciation and awareness of the difficult and often dangerous lives that many are forced to lead in order to survive. By vicariously entering into the lives of the poor and seeing through their eyes for a while, I witnessed their real humanity and vulnerability. I greatly look forward to McLaughlin's next piece of work!

Reality and redemption

The reader will never guess that this is McLaughlin's first novel, with the carefully and skillfully crafted voice of Jake Robertson, the young black man from Oakland who narrates this tale. Jake depicts what life is like for so many of our low income people, and the tortuous decisions that one frequently faces when living in poverty. The overarching moral dilemma that McLaughlin poses forces the reader to question his or her own values while Jake does the same. We can all relate to the failures and suffering Jake and his family confront, regardless of our position in society. However, this novel also exposes the realities of living in poverty, on the margins, and McLaughlin beautifully gives these realities a powerful voice through Jake Robertson; a voice that demands to be heard. Although there is no "Hollywood ending" to this novel, in the midst of brokenness, McLaughlin leaves the reader with a sense of reconciliation, hope and redemption. This is a novel that evokes a variety of emotions and makes the reader think reflectively and compassionately. I eagerly anticipate McLaughlin's next novel.

Great new author, unique and important book

This novel was a fast read, a piece of fiction that aptly depicts the all too real and dire circumstances that so many people in our society face everyday as they struggle just to get by. This new author takes on a real challenge in telling the protagonist's story from a narrative perspective, and it really pays off, as Jake's voice comes right off the pages and into your head as you follow him through the tough choices and situations he faces at every turn. McLaughlin's use of analogy and metaphor is superb, allowing readers from any background to connect with the storyline. While fictional, the struggles faced by Jake and his girlfriend Noel in supporting themselves and trying to care for their infant son offer lessons in social justice and the systemic problems and suffering caused by poverty and homelessness. There is no clear sky and rainbow at the end of this story, though hope remains. This novel tackles topics not often presented in contemporary fiction, and is a terrific and wortwhile read.