The View from Here

by Brian Keith Jackson

Book Overview

For fans of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison--a haunting debut novel that lays bare the universal truths that bind all families.

Brian Keith Jackson's acclaimed debut novel treads the same rich literary soil as the work of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison--with equally memorable results. Evoking a world of casual prejudice and commonplace poverty, Jackson tells the haunting story of Anna Anderson Thomas, whose life in the rural South has...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671568965
• ISBN13: 9780671568962
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Wonderfully Written, Eloquently Delivered

The View From Here is a wonderfully written and eloquently delivered literary debut from Brian Keith Jackson! Some books are entertaining and devoured for the moment; other books are savored and last for a lifetime. The View From Here is a book that will stay with me for years to come as it is an emotional and soul stirring story regarding Anna Anderson Thomas and the unconditional love she has for her family. The View From Here is uniquely and creatively narrated by the protagonist Anna's, unborn child. Anna is married to mean-spirited and broken down JT; this union has been blessed with five sons and JT is satisfied with the current size of his family. Within a bleak situation in the economically depressed setting of a small Mississippi town, the Thomas' are barely making it when they discover that Anna is yet again pregnant. Not looking forward to feeding another mouth, JT promises the unborn child to his older sister Clariece...and therein lies the dilemna. I was emotionally wretched and drained and moved to tears as I read the mental abuse that Anna suffered at the hands of her husband and wondered "why"? The View From Here is the story of any women who has had to stand up for herself and make tough decisions which would impact her spouse, her children and her self-preservation when the going got tough. The View From Here is the story of any woman under immense pressures, struggling to survive and to ensure the unity of her family as she battles the obstacle course of everyday living. This story shows how a woman named Anna possesses strong strength and determination and how she keeps faith to the bitter end and turns the situation around for good. Rather than running away or cowering to the demons that be, Anna stood up for what was right, what was true, what was just in the moment of adversity. As the story poignantly and provocatively climaxed I cheered for Anna as she stood her ground and did what was right for her spiritual and emotional sanity! The View From Here is an unforgettable tale about family, adversities, and the events that shape our lives and our souls. In spite of hardships, poverty, tragedies and despair, The View From Here portrays the richness of life when one has hope, courage and determination. It's a poignant and touching portrayal of family life that's full of love and the determination of a mother to keep her family intact against all odds and obstacles. The View From Here is exquisitely and superbly told by Brian Keith Jackson. This is an author to be reckoned with and I look forward to reading Walking Through Mirrors and future novels by this very talented new author.

WOW - What A Wonderful Treasure!

I had a sudden urge to read this book, and I am glad that I picked it out of my 20 "to-read" books."A View From Here" was a wonderful, wonderful book - not to mention a welcomed change from the usual story lines and plots (boy cheats on girl, girl cheats on boy...yada, yada, yada).The book is about love, devotion, commitment, family, strenghts, weaknesses, and Friendship. Oh yeah least I forget it includes some lying and evilness too...through that good-for-nothin sister of J.T. (Sorry bout that, I was remembering for a moment parts of the book that will sure to evoke wanting to whoop somebody's behind). LOLI had never really heard of Brian Keith Jackson before: but now I am a fan for life. Anna and her family will find a place in your heart that will live forever. This book is a page-turner to the end, full of surprises and disappointments and JOYS!Read this one if you are looking for a change from the usual.

Excellent novel

This is an excellent written novel that seems almost autobiographical .Its delightful, easy read, and a page turn. Mr.Jackson has given honor to the South and to rural southerners in this novel.The characters will certainly are people that we know.I like his respectful description of Anna and even the villian Auntie.Its a good family story that illusrates that love is stronger than obstacles that we encounter. The story seems real and what a tributee to our families who often did not have 'formal education' but God blessed then with wisdom and words that they have passed on to us.Its good to read ;iterature by African Americans that describes who we are and does not make the ghetto and cheating on women and lieing its theme. Keep up the good work and I am eagerly waiting to read his novel walking Through Mirrors.Hurry and complete that third novel soon! We need your voice you are Langston Hughes, Richhard Wright, James Baldwin, James Weldon Johnson of our times.!

A Great Book By A Great Author!

I LOVE this man's books! I've read both of his books and I could not begin to sing my praises for both of his works ("Walking Through Mirrors" is his other book). Brian Keith Jackson tells a story that reminds me of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" in story content but this book is far clearer to read and, quite frankly, far more enjoyable in my opinion. This is a story about a pregnant Anna, her 5 boys, and her husband Joseph. Brian tells a powerful story of how Anna struggles to keep her family together despite her husband and his sister's intentions. I even liked the fact that the story's narration was told through Anna's unborn child. Quite simply put, this is an excellent book by a phenomenal author.

excellent, well written, looking forward to more from author

This book was read for discussion on my book club and everyone agreed it was wonderful. Coming from a male author, the voice is truly female and that comes as a surprise. Anna, the protagonist, is the backbone of the family and in enduring her circumstances and the times in which it is set, keeps the family from falling apart. We see where her strength of character comes from (in flashbacks) and we see how her best friend and alter-ego, Ida Mae, provides her freedom. Each character is written strongly and the style is taut. Even when a horrible sentiment is being expressed it is done so with either humor (Anna's sister-in-law's malapropisms which also serve to lessen the evil of this character and point out the difference between Anna and her sister-in-law) or with a spare style of writing. It is matter-of-fact. Anna, herself, is matter-of-fact and she knows her family better than they know themselves. It is a book we all enjoyed and have been recommending to everyone.