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Summary: The sexiest book I've ever read
Review: Waiting In Vain is the sexiest book that I've ever read. Colin Channer is a seducer and a word weaver. And this story has such emotional power. Fire is every black woman's dream--a black man who is intelligent, sensitive, cosmopolitan, earthy, and brave. The relationship between Fire and Sylvia is one of the most touching renditions of black love that I've ever read. And Channer certainly understands women. His female characters are so complex, so well detailed, so wonderfull flawed. This is not just another from a man's perspective. It's a novel from the perspective of a craftsman and a thinker. I'm so happy to see that there is a young black male writer who has not fallen into the kind of formulaic rut that guides the work of authors such as Omar Tyree and Eric Jerome Dickey. Before reading Waiting In Vain I had begun to lose faith in the work of young African American writers. After reading Waiting In Vain my faith has been renewed. This novel is so many things--funny, philosophical, erotic, suspenseful, political and spiritual all in one. Mark my words, Waiting In Vain has marked the start of an auspicious career. He just might be the next big thing.
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Summary: Simple Irresistible
Review: Colin Channer's Book "Waiting in Vain" is simple irresistable. Once I started to read it, I could not put it down. Wherever I was, so was this book. The way the author depicted each characters was phenomenal. As a matter of fact, the way the story was told was absolutely amazing. Colin is a very detailed and gifted writer. Nothing is left to the imagination, as the author paints a detail picture of every scene and every character. This was not your typical love story. Waiting in Vain focused on the trials & tribulation we encounter throughout lifes journey. If you want to travel to Jamaica, England or New York Waiting in Vain will take you there. You will also be introduced to "Fire", the main character, and I am telling you, he really gets your blood boiling! I can hardly wait for Colins' next book. Furthermore I can't wait to find me a man like fire. In the mean time, I am going to read this book again!
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Summary: How Did He Know Us So Well?
Review: Colin Channer has managed to capture the way most of us fresh, new, sophisticated, college-educated, Black women act (and react) in one of the main characters, Sylvia. And Fire is the epitome of what every woman like that wishes they could have to fall back on when they're tired of TRYING to carry the world on our shoulders. But his greatest feat was capturing the way women like Sylvia are sometimes conflicted by what's good for them and what "works" for them and sabotage the real thing we call love. A good read, you'll devour this novel in no time.
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Summary: BOMBASTIC -- FANTASTIC -- A MUST READ FOR ALL YARDEES
Review: Quite simply, "Waiting in Vain" is the best book that I have ever read, I just could not put it down.The book depicts true to life situations which most people will relate to. The international flavor gives added zest for readers familiar with the West Indian culture. Those who understand Jamaican patois will find the book extremely humorous at times but it is also sensuous, heart wrenching and uplifting - dealing with life and love as it really is for people of African-American, West Indian and British backgrounds. Although readers of all nationalities will enjoy the very different characters that Colin Channer portrays in this book, they might find it a little harder to understand. I felt as though I was part of the story - it seemed so real. Colin has a wonderful way with words. He hits the nail right on the head describing the different ways that different people deal with life and love. Guys - do not be misled by the title and cover, this is not another "male bashing" romance novel. Men and women, young and old, who love a "Caribbean flavor" will thoroughly enjoy this book.
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Summary: Don't Wait to Read Waiting in Vain!
Review: There are a lot of books written about relationships. A lot of them are bad, some are offensive most are shallow and one-dimensional. Colin Channer's Waiting in Vain is one of the few exceptions. Channer's story is full; it's about more than a lovelife it's about a love of life, of life outside of love and finding the love of your life. The cast of characters expands on some familiar stereotypes giving them more appeal and greater depth and believability. The main characters are an interesting contrast of personalities. Fire, artistic, intelligent, sensitive, sexy and sensual, is more of an ideal - a composite of the very best a flawed man could ever be. Sylvia, however, with her insecurities, hopes and fears is very much real - painfully so. Channer plays the ideal against the real with great success. One of the few criticisms of the novel is that Channer's overall portrayal of women is stark, wounds are laid open for all to see. There is no one to redeem them. No one sets a goal for them to attain. No one is more or better than ordinary and everyone is dealing with the pains, betrayal and limitations of life. The content of this novel is expansive. The issues covered are skillfully woven into the story lines. The reader doesn't feel rushed, overwhelmed or cheated as Channer's characters deal with racism, classism, sexism and the complex results of mental, physical, sexual and drug abuse. Channer intelligently presents discussions on the black diaspora, the black literary scene and the current state of black art circles. Channer's style is such that the things that would horrify or shock us as readers are deftly removed from us and presented at a safe distance but not lessened in intensity. In this Channer's style is reminiscent of Ellison's handling of the harsh issues found in the Invisible Man. Throughout the novel regardless of the situation the writing is lyrical. The reader gets the desire to read certain passages aloud, so strong is the feeling that Channer is writing for the ear and the sound and flow of the words. We found this an ideal selection for our book group as the possibilities for discussion were so abundant. We called back and forth between us with updates and comments long before our actual meeting date. Several of us had the pleasure of attending a reading and were able to meet Mr. Channer. If you are ever presented with the opportunity to hear or meet Colin Channer we strongly urge you do so.
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Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!
Review: Waiting in Vain has earned its place on my "classics" shelf. I've recommended this book to everyone I know! It's so refreshing to see younger novelists return to literature and move away from the recycled stories that, of late, seem to inundate bookstores. Waiting in Vain is brilliant and moving, its characters real in every sense of that word. It's not often that a story and its characters move me and get inside me like Fire, Ian, Margaret and Sylvia. By the end of the novel I felt like I'd lost good friends, but I was glad to have had them in my life. In short, these are among the most dynamic characters I had encountered. I enjoyed the way Channer presented the characters and their conflicts about life, work, social standing, sexuality, love and purpose -- all of which are relevant to most of today's young professionals. At the same time, it is an enduring tale of true romance. Channer's work is at times funny, at times sad, frequently erotic (the man can write about making love without ever even mentioning genitalia!!), but ALWAYS a great read! Those who compare this novelist to Terry McMillan do him a great disservice; Colin Channer's brilliant story-telling more closely resembles Toni Morrison's mastery. I look forward to more writing by this talented man, and I will RUN to the theaters to see Fire on the big screen.
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Summary: Nuff respec'!!
Review: In the summer of 2002, a woman sitting across from me on the subway saw me reading SATISFY MY SOUL and said, "that's a good book, but you should read his first one, WAITING IN VAIN." I already liked Colin Channer's writing, and took the woman's advice & borrowed WAITING IN VAIN from the library. I had to return it before I finished it, but I didn't renew the loan. Instead, I purchased a copy because I want to build a collection of Mr Channer's writing in my personal library.
It's refreshing to read the work of an author who actually KNOWS how to write! I'm drawn to the rich detail about places I know and love-Manhattan & Brooklyn-and have visited-London & Kingston, Jamaica. The characters don't seem like imagined individuals thrown together; I can smell & see & taste them, and feel them when they touch one another. They're like people I've known, and like I am-all rooted in the real world. They worry and cry and laugh about things I do. I feel drawn to Fire, Sylvia, Ian and Margaret emotionally, and even [physic]ally. Channer writes about their love, fear, sadness & joy with romance, wit & eroticism. Several times, I've had to close the book when I read it on the subway, to stifle tears or hide an [...].
I'm a [neophyte] author, and should I ever get published I hope my work will touch, arouse and thoroughly entertain readers the way Colin Channer's writing has done to me.
I highly recommend this book, and Mr Channer's other work, to everyone who enjoys excellent writing.
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Summary: Takes My Breath Away
Review: Many times I passed this book in the bookstore...I'd decided that I didn't like the cover and wouldn't like the book. Now I'm in love...with Fire. All I can say is this book is sooooooo good it defies description. I simply do not have the words. Powerful, poetic, and seductive. By far some of the hottest, imaginative love scenes ever written! Colin channer, It has been such a long time since I've enjoyed all the elements of a book, thank-you for respecting this art. The characters are real and they have depth, the story is fascinating and realistic and your writing style is as smooth as whipped topping. You have made it onto my list of all time favorites. Again...Thank You
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Summary: Simply one of the best books I have ever read!
Review: I just happened to find this book in a used bookstore near my job, and I was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Channer's lush, eloquent prose. This book is not just another mundane Black love story. It is a near-epic tale which explores the depths of friendships, families, and the search for true love. The main characters, Sylvia and Fire, are extremely engaging. I could not put this book down. It is highly recommended.
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Summary: Your Wait is not in Vain
Review: On a number of occasions, "Waiting in Vain" was passed over as just another black love story. But after reading only several pages, it became readily apparent that it is so much more. The lyricism of Mr. Channer's prose and vividness of his imagery is riveting and rivals the best poetry. And in his main character "Fire", Mr. Channer has created a prototype who is larger than life not because of particularly heroic or prodigious acts but because of the depth and breadth of his love - for Sylvia the object of his desire), for his teacher (Blanche), for friends (such as Ian and Phil), for his race and for mankind. My immediate and visceral reaction to "Waiting in Vain" was that a way needs to be devised to distill the strength, commitment, caring, sensitivity, spirituality and wisdom of "Fire" and inoculate every black male at birth to ensure the ultimate transformation of the troubled landscape of blacks throughout the Diaspora. However, upon reflection, it was recognized that "Fire" possesses a formula not just for black manhood but also for "humanbeingness" in a world whose values are seriously askew. Relegating this work to shelves designated for African American interest deprives the rest of the world of an opportunity to be reminded of the unfulfilled (but realizable) possibilities of the human condition.
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