FROM THE 2002 Archives

Arthur Wilson comes from an extremely dysfunctional family and knows what it means to have a tortured soul. As the story opens, Brunswick takes us into the life of Arthur, now a young man, who is traveling cross country via bus, as he has done so often since he ran away from home almost a decade ago. Through flashbacks/journeys back into time we witness what life was like for Arthur, who was raised by a father who was emotionally and physically abusive, while his mother, who was in poor health, silently sat by and endured the wrath of her husband against her son. Arthur was a gifted and talented student; however, while in high school, he committed an infraction that the school considered serious enough to suspend him as well as one which would probably promise brutal, cruel and unusual punishment from his dad. Deciding that he had had enough abuse to last a lifetime, Arthur and a childhood friend decided to run away from their small town in Georgia, to the big city of Atlanta where it would be hard for anyone to find them. But along with anonymity, Atlanta was also filled with demons and vices that could quickly overtake two young runaways who did not have much money. Because he had limited skills, Arthur did what so many runaways living on the street are often forced to do; he became a prostitute servicing gay men. Eventually, it was fear and a run-in with the law that made him return home and to once again endure the wrath and rage of his father. Although Arthur returns home life is worse than before he left. Basically, he must fend for himself; but through all the trials, tribulations and obstacle courses, Arthur endures and actually has a chance to lead a normal, productive life. Through the journeys which always begin with a bus ride, our hearts go out to Arthur, as we become a passenger on the road with him and learn firsthand who he really is.

Journeys of a Tortured Soul (JOATS) by Caesar Brunswick is a very disturbing story and not one for the weak and faint of heart. Its a dark, raw and gritty tale that is realistically written and portrayed with graphic sexual scenes and depiction of life on the streets. Arthur Wilsons character felt real and it was heart wrenching to read and watch the turmoil and trauma that his father put him through as well as the consequences of some of his own actions. Some of the actions of the father were downright inhumane and should have been reported to Child Welfare. Even worse is realizing that there are parents in real life who act like Mr. Wilson.

JOATS is the story of a young man who struggles to survive, while searching for love, self esteem and his sexual identity. Brunswick has a strong handle on the life of a young male living on the streets and growing up in a household with a loveless tyrant as a father and a helpless mom, so much so that I wondered if this was his story. JOATS is a story that I definitely recommend to African American males to include teens and adults. Its a story that most males should read and one that should not ever be experienced in real life. On the APOOO 411 scale JOATS is 3.5 stars and a good read.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

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