Waiting in Vain

by Colin Channer

Book Overview

Meet Fire - Jamaican born, charming, poetic and talented - a man who's vowed never to play love is blind' games again. Then he meets Sylvia, a beautiful magazine editor and together they must choose between the love in their lives and the love of their lives. From the brownstones of Brooklyn and the nightclubs of London to the streets of Kingston, Channer takes us on a wild, soul-searching ride as Fire and Sylvia try to connect, disconnect and reconnect...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345425529
• ISBN13: 9780345425522
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: One World
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable!!

First of all, I can't tell you how much this book has changed my past, and present experiences. The twist, suspense, and erotic theme of the book is brilliant. I had to put the book down at times, and spend time with my mate, because this book was so real. I hate to say it, but I felt like a character in each scene. When it came to Fire, and Slyvia, I took turns of who I would be at that time, and it was exciting. I could not put this book down to save my life, the cover is what caught my eye, the reflection in her glasses, just blew my mind. The island setting was terrific, I am from Trini, and loved the description of places, and characters that Fire would come across while in Jamaica.Do not hesitate on this one, you will regret it.

Catching Fire

As I start to write this review, I am worried that I will not find the words to adequately express how much I loved this book! I have read books where I have loved and rooted for characters as friends. This was the first time I saw myself and my thoughts in characters, and felt understood. It was great to read about characters who were well-traveled, enjoyed learning, loved music and books, yet were down to earth. Waiting in Vain is a beautifully poetic novel about love, loss, self-discovery, and fulfillment. Mr. Channer provides emotional and academic stimulation; he also touches on class and political issues. I was so engrossed with sitting in on the lives, feeling the breeze, and tasting the fruits that I forgot I was reading. The book also gave me hope, in that if a man could write with such passion, love, and sensitivity there is a chance I will find my fire. Buy this book! You will not regret it, most likely you will thank me.

HOME RUN

To read Colin Channer's book, "Waiting in Vain" is to be invited into a world that mirrors the anxiety, heartache and angst we all feel as we navigate this mindfield called love. The characters are well-drawn, credible-they could be anyone we know. Channer has a mastery of language, a deft touch and an eye for detail that brings to life the Caribbean experience in America. He has produced a stunning, original work that smashes the cookie-cutter, formulaic stories that populate the "romance" "love story" genre. His is not a love story in the traditional sense, but a life story-a slice of the lives of characters who attract and repel us, who challange our perceptions of love, honesty, betrayal; and the book, by it's scope encourages those who dare to branch out on a path of discovery and daring or risk "waiting in Vain" for the life they seek to find them.

Beautiful!

First of all, I'd just like to thank Colin Channer for giving me hope in knowing that men can be sensitive and that they do have feelings and that they do, and can, want to have a meaningful relationship with one woman.Colin's character Fire was able to convey his feelings verbally and on paper. I found myself wanting to find a man like that for myself. Although Fire was fictional I completed that book knowing that there is someone out there with at least a few of his characteristics. Waiting In Vain was more than a boy-meets-girl love story. It explored some tough issues in regards to the type of people we give our hearts to. I saw some of myself in Sylvia, Fire's love interest. It was more than a designer-name dropping novel that has flooded the African-American book market. I was truly entertained and realized that reading a good book is about what the words are saying to your mind and to your heart. I am so amazed and in awe of Colin's abilities to express himself with the written word. I want to run to the grocery store to buy some mangoes and I definitely want to plan a trip to Jamaica. And that's another thing. I enjoyed the diferent locales, something you don't find in other books. Colin is so doggone talented I am mad at him for not writing a book sooner. Oh,to be in love with a man like Fire! Colin was able to convey the message of love without sugarcoating it and making the reader think it was easy. I couldn't read enough pages fast enough. That book was always the first thing I picked up when I came through the door from work and it was the last thing I reluctantly put down when I went to sleep. I hated for the book to end. When it did end, I had a huge smile on my face. I am not giving up on love, that's what that smile meant. This was an excellent read. I recommend this to both women and men who are searching for that special someone.

A different kind of experience!

I had gotten away from reading some of the black relationship books simply because the experiences, first of all, were not mine or ones that I could accept as the inevitable as black relationships go. I've done myself a disservice in some respects having read some pretty shallow writers. One reviewer said she had no intention of buying this book as was the case with me. I just wasn't in the mood for another "woman-with-no-clue -what-she-wants-man-with-only-one-agenda story. Fire jumpstarted the idea in my mind that there are sensitive black men out there who are differently defined and are able to express themselves and love with respect. I enjoyed the book, not so much for the vivid Jamaican imagery, but because it reminded me again that we're all looking for something special. I was glad to see Fire and Sylvia find that in each other. I look forward to the depth of this kind of writing in more of our black writers out there! Thanks to my friend Shanta, who introduced me to Waiting in Vain!