A House Is Not a Home: A B-Boy Blues Novel

By James Earl Hardy

Book Overview

In the sixth and final title of his groundbreaking, bestselling B-Boy Blues series, James Earl Hardy brings his beloved couple -- Mitchell, the Buppie from Brooklyn, and Raheim, the homeboy from Harlem -- into the twenty-first century. As they prepare for the birthday party of Raheim's fifteen-year-old son, Errol (formerly known as "Junior" and "Li'l Brotha Man"), Mitchell and Raheim both juggle their own midlife crises and consider once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. With the Big 4-0 just three years away, Mitchell is a little antsy: He has a very successful freelance writing career, but he longs for something more. And that something more finds him -- a dream job from a most unlikely place. But he's gotten very comfortable working his own schedule and being a stay-at-home dad -- does he really want to return to the daily grind of punching a time clock again? Raheim has just officially entered his thirties -- and, unfortunately, has the one gray hair to prove it. And after years of coming this close to getting roles won by the likes of Taye Diggs and Mekhi Phifer, he is finally offered the lead in a film that could make him a star. But will he do what no other Black actor has done before: play gay and come out in the process? James Earl Hardy draws on the themes that put him on the map -- love, family, and high drama in tandem with media phenomena like same-sex marriage, the down-low, gay adoption, and homo thugs -- to create another vivid, vibrant, and saucy portrait of Black same-gender-loving (SGL) life and love.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0066212499
• ISBN13: 9780066212494
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Amistad Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

the end

This book only leaves you to think that things can get better. Working on yourself and staying focused, putting a focus on family .....things work themselves out. I could only wish for a true happy ending

A "Jood" Way To End The Series

While I purchased the book the day it came out, I just finished reading it tonight. It took me a week (it's touted as the last in the series, so I had to take it way slow). I wasn't a big fan of the last three books, especially Love The One You're With (the sex was off-the-chain but I think JEH over-did it on the political stuff). But with A House, I now appreciate the approach JEH took with the other novels: he connects the dots so well and you understand why the different stories went in the directions and explored the issues they did. Not only have the characters grown, so has JEH: there is a maturity and depth expressed in this book that is only hinted at in the other five. He gets at the distinct complexity of and ordinaryness of our lives without being melodramatic or overly-sentimental, which makes the claim by some that the series isn't `real' or a `fairytale' ridiculous. We're not all trolling DL websites or living in the clubs every weekend; many of us (like myself) are in committed relationships, raising children, trying to provide a home for ourselves and our families. I commend JEH for showing black men as the caring and compassionate fathers, brothers, sons, lovers we are. And while I, at first, was also disappointed that it isn't clear whether Mitch and Raheim get back together, I'm glad we don't know; such a reunion wasn't going to happen overnight, and if it did the ending would've been too pat. You are left with the hope that it will happen, and JEH's nod to Luther in the next to last chapter seals that deal for me. JEH, you did the clan proud and you did us proud. I laughed way out loud, raged against and with Pooquie and Lil Bit, and cried both tears of sorrow and joy. Thanks for the ride. I can't wait to see what you'll do next.

OFF DA CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I just want to say Hardy you did it up with the series, so sorry it had to end but the finally was very good. I loved every moment of it, I just wish it was longer but it was great and I could envision them all being grown and in the 2005. I loved this book, I just wish it didn't end but overall great book. For all who are looking at this make sure u get the complete series before you get this.

A Bittersweet Ending to a SGL Fairytale

James Earl Hardy completes his B Boy Series with this, the sixth and final installment and I ferel complete that I know how the love story went down, but I wish I knew more. The Plot line is strong and though several years have passed and much has changed, Hardy keeps the reader up to date with out too many flashbacks and too many unreasonable plot changes. The final installment is laid back and mature and up to date, but you are left wondering.....are Mitchell and Raheim really back together, forever...... Still a must have to complete the series!