The Hearts of Men

June 11, 2001
What his prose lacks in sophistication, Hunter makes up for in earnestness in this debut novel about the suburban African-American experience. Prodigy Banks works at a large Atlanta finance company, often paying more attention to his female co-workers than to his job. Despite his lady-killer habits, the handsome Prodigy is a picture of respectability, going to church, taking good care of his house and serving as a role model for his cousin Jermaine, who hasn't left the streets behind as quickly as Prodigy. Under the influence of his father figure Poppa Doc, Prodigy volunteers at a youth center, where he meets the adorable Blake and Blake's even more charming mother, Nina. She offers Prodigy his first chance to settle down, and he has to weigh that offer while trying to serve as peacemaker for the domestic disputes of his friends and family. Meanwhile, Poppa Doc has his own problems to work out, trying to motivate his spoiled son and restore some love to his daughter's marriage. Hunter has no confidence in subtext; he explains every gesture for the reader's benefit and his characters speak as if reading from the world's least subtle cue cards. Prodigy, in particular, is given to mouthing public service announcements about the black man's responsibility to family life. Still, Hunter's agenda is the strength of this book; even cynical readers may be won over by his relentless positive message and push for African-American communities built on respect and love. (June)Forecast:Like
Shades of Jade, above, and
Soul Mates Dissipate, below, this novel was a self-published hit; Villard is sending Hunter on an eight-city tour.

May 1, 2001
Prodigy Banks, street hustler turned clean-cut man, has not convinced everyone that his new image is sincere. His days as a womanizer and violent predator cause him to struggle with maintaining his new life devoid of past temptations. Winston "Papa Doc" Fuller is the family and community elder, mentor, and man of wisdom. Yet his kind words and understanding nature have not motivated his only son. As Papa Doc deals with his lung cancer diagnosis, he hopes he can prepare his son for responsibility before he dies. Bernard Charles, Papa Doc's son-in-law, has grown up with only memories of his mother. Because of his less-than-ideal childhood, he now struggles with providing for his family. He is forced to choose between resolving issues with his wife or moving out. These men are forced to deal with self-definitions of manhood as well as how other people define being a man.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)