Rating: 
Summary: Long but engrossing
Review: I read this book of over 600 pages in two days. Yes, some of it is repetitious, but I found it utterly engrossing and very hard to put down. It is also an intelligent, well-written discussion of many subjects -- the law, conservatism, social class, race -- that rarely strays into the usual arguments. This is a wonderful book for a hot summer weekend.
Rating: 
Summary: The movie will be better
Review: I, like several others, found the story of an upscale African American Family caught up in political corruption and personal turmoil fascinating, and the mystery convoluted, contrived, and at times predicatable. There are actually two books here; one quite good and one quite mediocre. Mixing them together did not improve on either one. Still, I'd like to see what Carter does next, though I hope he has gotten some of the racial diatribes out his system and can write about an African-American experience without railing at the rest of us.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter for Grown-Ups!
Review: I really enjoyed this page-turner and found many similarities to the first Harry Potter book--also by a first-time author. That is because, the narrator of this book, Talcott Garland, is constantly discovering that the world he thought he knew well-enough to take for granted, is not what it seems--and it is all because of secrets in the career of his father. Surprises at the end of every chapter keep the pages turning. I read this in a few days, taking the book with me on errands or in the car. I let the phone ring and the answering machine pick up. This is a perfect summer thriller. I bet this will make a good movie, too!
Rating: 
Summary: the emperor of ocean park
Review: Verbose, slow moving, hard to stay with. I can't say much about the plot because I couldn't finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Complex and Memorable Novel
Review: At the pinnacle of his career, Talcott Garland is a brilliant African American professor at a prestigious law school. He is a doting father to his three year old son. And he adores his wife who has been nominated by the President as a federal circuit judge. On the outside, it appears that Talcott has obtained the American Dream. However, in reality, Talcott's life is far from ideal. Talcott's marriage is failing. Because his wife Kimmer overspends, their finances are in shambles. Nonetheless, Talcott refuses to take any action. He suspects that his wife Kimmer is having an affair with her law partner. This is evidenced by her so-called long business trips with her law partner. Yet, Talcott is afraid to confront his wife. Talcott is in essence a wimp who needs to take a class in assertiveness training. Talcott is the son of the ultra-conservative former Judge Oliver Garland. Years ago, his father was slated for a United States Supreme Court appointment. However, because it was exposed that Judge Garland was associated with underworld figure Jack Ziegler, he was forced to withdraw his nomination. When Talcott's father suddenly dies of a heart attack, Talcott's sister Mariah proclaims that the Judge was murdered by Jack Ziegler. The autopsy shows otherwise. Nonetheless, Mariah is unconvinced and feels that the Judge's death was the result of a conspiracy plot. When Talcott is confronted by unsavory characters about "the arrangements" that his father left, Mariah's theory no longer appears to be farfetched. However, Talcott has no idea what "the arrangements" are, because he and the Judge never discussed this matter. He discovers a cryptic note left by his father. He is perplexed by his father's note. And in fact, he is wholly unprepared to tackle the task of finding "the arrangements". Nonetheless, Talcott embarks on a journey of discovering the meaning of his father's note. Talcott loses himself in a seemingly endless maze, which threatens his life, family, and career. When family secrets, politics, and race collide, Talcott is beaten both mentally and physically. Talcott later recovers and uncovers the ultimate clue to the coveted "arrangements". With a surprise ending, Stephen L. Carter has crafted a complex and memorable novel.
Rating:
Summary: More Than a Thriller
Review: Stephen L. Carter's "Emperor of Ocean Park" is part thriller, part social commentary, and a peek inside law school academic life. The characters a richly drawn and the story kept me turning pages. He examines closely the complexities of human relationships. It was nice to read a "thriller" that is not solely plot driven and has the balls to have protagonist with real human flaws. Well done!!
Rating:
Summary: A Just Review
Review: All Hail, Brian Keith Jackson, for writing such a powerful and
inspirational book that has gone on my list of favorite books. The Queen of Harlem for me combines (2) books, Black Like Me and The Catcher In The Rye, while standing on its own merit. It was while reading this book that it made me see the protagonist was similar to the protagonist in, Black Like Me, as he was experiencing a world that he was not accustomed to and as to the reference of, The Catcher In The Rye, it was a story of a young man coming into his own. This is a wonderful book to have in your personal library and I
recommend this book for all. Its a fast read and the pages just turn by themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Where, oh where, are the editors of yesterday?
Review: As someone once said of Henry James, he chewed more than he bit off. Same goes for Carter. Good idea, good characters, good story of a multi-generational, upper-middle class black family --but bad , really bad and boring interjection of a mystery (?) that goes nowhere. Why didn't some Harold Ross type put a stop to the flow? I finished it because I was taken with the family story, but found myself sighing with frustration whenever the author veered off into the mystery tangent. I'm sure Carter will produce better fiction - he has the gift, but he needs to tighten up the narrative.
Rating:
Summary: Sophisticated Thriller
Review: Talcott Garland inherits both a house on Martha's Vineyard and a dark mystery from his late father, an embittered former Judge. Talcott pursues the clues and is drawn into the sad and notorious history of the family. His obsessive pursuit puts both his life and his marriage in jeapordy. Each chapter adds thrill to the hunt which culminates into a surprise and satisfying ending. Author Stephen Carter paints this story on several levels. We view the lives of affluent Afro-Americans, whom Carter refers to as the 'Dark Nation.' Their lives, politics and relationships are as engaging as the mystery. Carter also pursues the depths of a difficult father and son relationship. Talcott's motive in finding the truth is the parallel pursuit of finding closure with his distant father. In doing so he rediscovers himself. "The Emperor of Ocean Park" is a delight in all of its levels. Stephen Carter demonstrates great skill in his first attempt at fiction. I look forward to the next.
Rating:
Summary: No sex? No cursing?
Review: This book is a clean read. This distinguishes it from most of the novels published today. Was it too long? Yes. But, I cared about the african american professor dealing with his trials and tribulations. I read with interest to the end. I relished that faith was not ridiculed, but respected. If you are looking an edifying read, pick it up.
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