Rating: 
Summary: A great book
Review: As a story of triumph in the midst of massive tribulation, "Journeys of a Tortured Soul" is neither trite nor contrived. It's a brutally honest, realistic (and somewhat shocking)look at family disfunction, inner turmoil and finally, positive self-empowerment. Wilson, Brunswick's protagonist, is a youngster who is forced into a very harsh adult world and made to take his journey into manhood in a way that even the strongest of us would not be able to survive.The story and characters are perfectly crafted. The poetry is beautiful and a very creative form of transition. And Brunswick is successful in making you feel Wilson's every high and low with great intensity. My only issue is with Wilson, a young man with a violent and seemingly loveless relationship with his father, being an absentee parent. The concept of his own father's contempt and brutality being the catalyst for his departure simply strengthens my dislike for the fact that he is in turn continuing the cycle of the missing father/child relationship. This doesn't always lend itself to the reader empathizing with him in my opinion. Yet and still, "Journey" is an incredible piece of writing and I am most definitely looking forward to the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: The Journey left me wanting
Review: Based on the reviews I've read about this novel, I really expected more. In the end, I was decidedly disappointed. The overly concise plot and lack of character development never allowed me to immerse myself in the text. One recurring theme for me while reading the novel was "Did the author intend to write this way or is this the best he can do?" This sentiment was often cited during discussion at the reading group I facilitate. One person suggest that if "[Brunswick] had written this book right, it would have been 800 pages." I never really felt like I knew Arthur, the protagonist. I read Arthur's thoughts and impressions, but he sounded like a psychiatric patient in denial. For me, the bus ride motif was not developed sufficiently and fell flat. It seemed to me that riding the bus was not the true problem for Arthur; rather his inability to be proactive in his life caused him problems. Arthur struck me as a Forrest Gump-like character in that things were always happening to him, instead of him making things happen. Brunswick's handing of the dissolution of Arthur's various romantic relationships was blase and lacked passion. Break-ups are dramatic and messy, if not downright passionate, and they were a little too clean and contrite in this book. Passion and drama were in little supply in this book and that is a shame. A more detailed contrast of Arthur's affective response to his breakups the various partners would have been interesting. More details about Wilson family history were necessary to underscore why the family was dysfunctional. It was clear from Arthur's interaction with family that problems and resentments existed, but the absence of those details failed the breathe the necessary life into the dysfunction has a separate entity. Finally, the characters were used as plot devices, rather than points of discourse and inquiry. Specifically, characters were introduced or revisited when Arthur needed something to do (e.g., Arthur's friend from high school and, to a lesser extent, Arthur's intimate relationship partners). Characters routinely fell by the wayside when Arthur was "done" with them. Granted, these characters were not essential to the story, but a definitive summation of their disposition would have been nice. Although the book is about Arthur and his journey, the author's decision to leave so many loose ends was problematic. This could be reflective of Arthur's focus on his academic career and musical performance, but I find it difficult to believe that Arthur would have no knowledge--even gossip in the hallways--of the people who played significant roles in his life at one point or another. Overall, the author attempted to write an ambitious novel and chronicle of a person's life, but the end product lacked depth and was a bit haphazard. As this is the author's debut, there is room from growth and improvement. I wish Mr. Brunswick the best in his future endeavors.
Rating:
Summary: The Journey left me wanting
Review: Based on the reviews I've read about this novel, I really expected more. In the end, I was decidedly disappointed. The overly concise plot and lack of character development never allowed me to immerse myself in the text. One recurring theme for me while reading the novel was "Did the author intend to write this way or is this the best he can do?" This sentiment was often cited during discussion at the reading group I facilitate. One person suggest that if "[Brunswick] had written this book right, it would have been 800 pages." I never really felt like I knew Arthur, the protagonist. I read Arthur's thoughts and impressions, but he sounded like a psychiatric patient in denial. For me, the bus ride motif was not developed sufficiently and fell flat. It seemed to me that riding the bus was not the true problem for Arthur; rather his inability to be proactive in his life caused him problems. Arthur struck me as a Forrest Gump-like character in that things were always happening to him, instead of him making things happen. Brunswick's handing of the dissolution of Arthur's various romantic relationships was blase and lacked passion. Break-ups are dramatic and messy, if not downright passionate, and they were a little too clean and contrite in this book. Passion and drama were in little supply in this book and that is a shame. A more detailed contrast of Arthur's affective response to his breakups the various partners would have been interesting. More details about Wilson family history were necessary to underscore why the family was dysfunctional. It was clear from Arthur's interaction with family that problems and resentments existed, but the absence of those details failed the breathe the necessary life into the dysfunction has a separate entity. Finally, the characters were used as plot devices, rather than points of discourse and inquiry. Specifically, characters were introduced or revisited when Arthur needed something to do (e.g., Arthur's friend from high school and, to a lesser extent, Arthur's intimate relationship partners). Characters routinely fell by the wayside when Arthur was "done" with them. Granted, these characters were not essential to the story, but a definitive summation of their disposition would have been nice. Although the book is about Arthur and his journey, the author's decision to leave so many loose ends was problematic. This could be reflective of Arthur's focus on his academic career and musical performance, but I find it difficult to believe that Arthur would have no knowledge--even gossip in the hallways--of the people who played significant roles in his life at one point or another. Overall, the author attempted to write an ambitious novel and chronicle of a person's life, but the end product lacked depth and was a bit haphazard. As this is the author's debut, there is room from growth and improvement. I wish Mr. Brunswick the best in his future endeavors.
Rating:
Summary: A Needed Experiental Piece of Literature
Review: Brunswick places us in the shoes of being young, Black, and a gay. His trials and tribulations at home and while finding himself as he comes out of the closet is a true depiction of what it is like to be a gay in our society and in a Black home. From an academic/counseling perspective, the story of Arthur does far more than discuss the experience of young gay male but it delves into social and psychological issues experienced by this community. It should be considered a resource not only for the gay, lesbian community but for those wanting to know more about the experiences of being gay in today's society. It is a powerfully written and visual work and an important qualitative piece of literature that should be used for much more than enjoyment purposes.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful
Review: Caesar Brunswick has an imagination that makes me wonder if his work is as brilliant as it seems or if by some chance he has managed to become privy to the intimate details of conversations between myself and friends. The characters are real and the storyline compels you to replay your mental tape of what is was like to be a teenager craving love, acceptance, adventure and self discovery and learning in the process that sometimes you have to lose yourself to find your soul . Caesar shows the world as it truly is...both beautiful and grotesque but always worth the journey. A definite must-have on your nightstand to read and read again.
Rating:
Summary: A Tough Tale Tackled with Tenderness and Temerity
Review: Caesar Brunswick is a writer to watch. In JOURNEYS OF A TORTURED SOUL he has created an auspicious debut and appears to be a new voice that is probing, wise, and eloquent. This book is a novel, though it is so successfully written that it sounds like a memoir. Arthur Wilson is the product of a dysfunctional family who gets his girlfriend pregnant at the age of eleven, drops out of highschool at age 15 to escape to Atlanta and a life of surviving by street hustling only to be incarcerated, find his way back into the world where he succeeds in finishing school and proceed on to college and graduate school, finding an unexpected profound relationship with a man, a term of infatuation with a gifted diva, an enforced sexual laison with a woman from a family of means, ending up with a graduate degree and a glimpse of what he has always yearned for - a sense of belonging to his family. And if that isn't the journey of a tortured soul, then the phrase begs explanation! This book is so tightly written that it demands being read in one evening. Arthur Wilson, for all the seemingly incredible events in his life, remains a character about whom we care vey much. Few novels serve as reference volumes as does this one. Within the short 200 pages, Brunswick explores race, prejudice, parental abuse, prostitution in the gay world by underaged boys, fully committed gay relationships, bisexuality, heterosexuality accompanied by fatherhood, and the drive to rise above humble beginnings despite the "slings and arrows" route underappreciated in today's society. He does this ably, without resorting to maudlin victimization. Part of the beauty of Brunswick's main character is that he relates his story in eloquent language - something authors too often feel requires the associated lingo of the times, a gimmick that can create a barrier between the reader and the story. More books are promised by Brunswick, books that will further flesh out some of the interesting prototypes introduced in this book. Good news for all of us. Hopefully the editor's eye will be more keen for those books. But for all the small flaws in this first venture, this book stands solidly with the works of new voices in American literature. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Tough Tale Tackled with Tenderness and Temerity
Review: Caesar Brunswick is a writer to watch. In JOURNEYS OF A TORTURED SOUL he has created an auspicious debut and appears to be a new voice that is probing, wise, and eloquent. This book is a novel, though it is so successfully written that it sounds like a memoir. Arthur Wilson is the product of a dysfunctional family who gets his girlfriend pregnant at the age of eleven, drops out of highschool at age 15 to escape to Atlanta and a life of surviving by street hustling only to be incarcerated, find his way back into the world where he succeeds in finishing school and proceed on to college and graduate school, finding an unexpected profound relationship with a man, a term of infatuation with a gifted diva, an enforced sexual laison with a woman from a family of means, ending up with a graduate degree and a glimpse of what he has always yearned for - a sense of belonging to his family. And if that isn't the journey of a tortured soul, then the phrase begs explanation! This book is so tightly written that it demands being read in one evening. Arthur Wilson, for all the seemingly incredible events in his life, remains a character about whom we care vey much. Few novels serve as reference volumes as does this one. Within the short 200 pages, Brunswick explores race, prejudice, parental abuse, prostitution in the gay world by underaged boys, fully committed gay relationships, bisexuality, heterosexuality accompanied by fatherhood, and the drive to rise above humble beginnings despite the "slings and arrows" route underappreciated in today's society. He does this ably, without resorting to maudlin victimization. Part of the beauty of Brunswick's main character is that he relates his story in eloquent language - something authors too often feel requires the associated lingo of the times, a gimmick that can create a barrier between the reader and the story. More books are promised by Brunswick, books that will further flesh out some of the interesting prototypes introduced in this book. Good news for all of us. Hopefully the editor's eye will be more keen for those books. But for all the small flaws in this first venture, this book stands solidly with the works of new voices in American literature. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally Captivating! Discover it for Yourself!
Review: I could tell you what a captivating and interesting book this is to read. Or I could tell you how well-developed the characters are, or how brutally honest, shocking and realistic this story is, but I don�t think you should take my word for it. I think you should discover for yourself this talented new African American writer. Whether this story is based on fact or fiction, it will keep you interested to the end, and looking forward to a sequel. Arthur Wilson is a young man who comes from a severely dysfunctional family, and whose father is physically and mentally abusive to both he and his mother. Add to this the fact that his mother is very ill, and therefore at a point where she is quite helpless in changing the situation. Arthur is a talented musician and an excellent student, but no matter what he does, it�s not the right thing in his father�s eyes. So the abuse continues and Arthur decides to run away to Atlanta with his best friend Daniel to escape his unhappy home life. In order to survive in the �Big City� Arthur & Daniel must turn to prostitution and drugs. At this point, the story unfolds at a fast pace as Arthur sets out on a series of bus trips as he experiences his �coming out� from boyhood to manhood. I also enjoyed the poetry by Nicole J. Niblack dispersed throughout the story. These classically styled poems are beautiful and serve an integral purpose as part of the story. Nicole is a gifted poet who understands the power of words, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
So discover this captivating treasure of a book for yourself. I look forward to Caesar�s sequel to this story, �Things Found in My Father�s Attic�, that revisit the characters of �Journeys of a Tortured Soul� some 20 years later. Hail, Caesar!!!
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally Captivating! Discover it for Yourself!
Review: I could tell you what a captivating and interesting book this is to read. Or I could tell you how well-developed the characters are, or how brutally honest, shocking and realistic this story is, but I don't think you should take my word for it. I think you should discover for yourself this talented new African American writer. Whether this story is based on fact or fiction, it will keep you interested to the end, and looking forward to a sequel. Arthur Wilson is a young man who comes from a severely dysfunctional family, and whose father is physically and mentally abusive to both he and his mother. Add to this the fact that his mother is very ill, and therefore at a point where she is quite helpless in changing the situation. Arthur is a talented musician and an excellent student, but no matter what he does, it's not the right thing in his father's eyes. So the abuse continues and Arthur decides to run away to Atlanta with his best friend Daniel to escape his unhappy home life. In order to survive in the 'Big City' Arthur & Daniel must turn to prostitution and drugs. At this point, the story unfolds at a fast pace as Arthur sets out on a series of bus trips as he experiences his 'coming out' from boyhood to manhood. I also enjoyed the poetry by Nicole J. Niblack dispersed throughout the story. These classically styled poems are beautiful and serve an integral purpose as part of the story. Nicole is a gifted poet who understands the power of words, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
So discover this captivating treasure of a book for yourself. I look forward to Caesar's sequel to this story, 'Things Found in My Father's Attic', that revisit the characters of 'Journeys of a Tortured Soul' some 20 years later. Hail, Caesar!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Torturous Life
Review: Journey's of a Tortured Soul tells the story of Arthur Wilson a young African American male who was struggling to grow and come to terms with his own identity. Although he was extremely close to his mother he always felt he was never good enough for his father. His difficult family life, coupled with a botched attempt to hide a suspension from school, led young Arthur to run away from home with a childhood friend. When the two friends ran away they quickly discovered how dangerous the world could be and they slowly become drawn into the dark side of street life. Eventually, Arthur returns home to an even more strained family environment. A gifted student, Arthur begins down the hard road that would eventually lead him to college. He struggles to make a better life for himself, virtually on his own and does whatever he has to in order to survive. Arthur struggles with his sexual identity and has relationships with both men and women before he eventually comes to terms with it. He became a father, but because of his own poor relationship with his dad, was uncertain about what his role as a father should be. Whenever faced with adversity, he somehow finds the inner strength to overcome it. Brunswick has written a raw yet engaging tale about a young man who struggles with being a parent, his relationship with his own poverty, his sexual identity, his search for love and survival. Although the story was quite a page turner, I found myself turned off by the main character. Arthur was in my opinion, extremely unlikable and seemed to always be driven by his own selfish needs. I think if the character had been a bit more palatable this story would have been a masterpiece. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's gritty style. He showed Arthur's world as it was, and did not try to sugar coat the tough realities that he contended with. Although, I didn't like Arthur, I understood him and in spite of it all, I felt for him. I recommend you check out Journeys of a Tortured Soul and draw your own conclusions. Reviewed by Stacey Seay
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