Satisfy My Soul

Rating:
Summary: An Engrossing and Challenging Second Novel
Review: Although they share many characteristics, Colin Channer's second novel is very different from Waiting in Vain. Here's the thing. Unlike Fire before him and Jamaican author, Colin Channer, Carey McCullough is not a Yardie... He's multicultural rather than Jamaican, but still sexy to the bloodclat core. But that's not what his second novel is about.

Despite steamy scenes and lush Jamaican settings, this is not beach reading. Satisfy My Soul is written in a vibrant, but more contemplative voice. It is a tragedy, a psychological study, and an intellectual analysis of cultural and spiritual conflict. Unlike the heroic Fire, Satisfy My Soul's playwright/narrator Carey is a dark and complex character with a troubled psychology, compelled to struggle in several destructive relationships.

Written in Carey's voice, Satisfy My Soul is a poetic rumination on the African-Caribbean new world's relationship with cultural identity, Christianity, Rastafarianiasm and Africa while confronting the universal challenges of mortality, fidelity, sexuality, jealousy and friendship.

This may not be easy reading for the beach, but it's more than worth your time and attention.

Rating:
Summary: A satisfying literary offering...
Review: In Satisfy My Soul, Channer's diverse, intriguing characters again immediately captured my attention. Corey and Frances are complex and passionate individuals whose initial encounter and subsequent journey is poignant, passionate and revealing. Channer's lyrical and sensuous prose as well as his exploration of spirituality makes this an excellent read. However, this book is not for everyone. If you're looking for the "quick fix" read, visit your local drug store on your lunch hour. Channer's blend of sexuality, religion and the overall human condition makes his work appealing to readers like me, who appreciate a story which makes you reflect after the last page is read.

Congratulations, Colin, on yet another SATISFYING offering.

Rating:
Summary: It was a pleasure...
Review: Well first off i would like to say this novel was defenantly a shock to me. I wasn't too accustomed to Channer's writing. I previously read one of his novellas in "Got to Be Real," and was impressed. After reading "Satisfy my Soul," i truly came to realize how gifed this young black author truly is. One of the biggest things that suprised me...was the fact that this wasn't the common "romance novel." At times i question if it was truly made to be a romantic story. To me it seemed to be a plot of a man discovering himself, finding his self identity possibly through meeting his supposed "soul-mate." But his journey was truly interesting and thought provoking. Beyond the self discovery and love there was also underlining themes of friendship, loyalty, belonging, history, family, and most importantly religion. I truly did enjoy this novel and recommend everyone to experience the distinct flavor Colin Channer has to offer to the literary society.

Rating:
Summary: My Soul Has Been Satisfied
Review: This book is on my list for favorite reads of 2002 and it will be quite a challenge to find something to top it. Reading this was like embracing a long sensuous poem of love and tragedy. Channer gives us insight into politics, religion, philosophy, race and of course passion. He makes one believe you are actually in Kingston, South Carolina and Ghana. What happens when you find that person with whom you would spend your last night on earth?

Carey McCullough, a successful playwright, has known many women and loved them all. And then he meets Frances, a woman he feels he has known his whole life. Could they have been soul mates 400 years ago in Africa? Their relationship is not easy. He has doubts about this woman's motives who he believes saved his life at a time when he was guilt ridden about his father's death. Indeed family dynamics weighs heavily throughout this novel. Carey's own family background is convoluted with roots in Ghana, Jamaica and Cuba. Torn about his own religious beliefs, Carey gives Frances an ultimatum and then flees Kingston to go to South Carolina where his best friend Kwabena and his family resides and there is capitulated into a turn of events he find himself helpless to reverse . Kwabena, to Carey, is a picture of an upright pious man, but it turns out that Kwabena has his own demons of which Carey is inextricably entangled.

With his propensity to weave language in the most compelling prose with remarkable metaphors and foreshadowing, readers are left with a feeling of surreal awe. I turned the last page and sighed. The litmus test of a well-told story for me is how a book resonates days after I have finished it. If I stop in the middle of my day and remember a scene or phrase from that book then it has indeed satisfied my soul.

Rating:
Summary: My Soul...and more are Satisfied!
Review: Colin Channer is, without question, one of the most exciting literary voices on the scene today. Satisfy My Soul showcases not only how his creativity and literary prowess are ripening, but how a beautifully written book can seduce, hypnotize and haunt you from the first words to the last. He'll have you looking into your own heart and soul, taking to yourself and searching out deeper answers about sensuality, spirituality and the meaning of life on both a human and a grand scale. Read this book, savor it, taste all of its luscious flavors. You'll be pleased, I promise you. Meanwhile, Mr. Channer, we eagerly await your next work!

Rating:
Summary: It was a pleasure...
Review: Well first off i would like to say this novel was defenantly a shock to me. I wasn't too accustomed to Channer's writing. I previously read one of his novellas in "Got to Be Real," and was impressed. After reading "Satisfy my Soul," i truly came to realize how gifed this young black author truly is. One of the biggest things that suprised me...was the fact that this wasn't the common "romance novel." At times i question if it was truly made to be a romantic story. To me it seemed to be a plot of a man discovering himself, finding his self identity possibly through meeting his supposed "soul-mate." But his journey was truly interesting and thought provoking. Beyond the self discovery and love there was also underlining themes of friendship, loyalty, belonging, history, family, and most importantly religion. I truly did enjoy this novel and recommend everyone to experience the distinct flavor Colin Channer has to offer to the literary society.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, captivating, "train" reading novel.
Review: Colin captured the sensuality of loving someone with his descriptions of the love between Carey and Frances that made you want to fall in love a million times. Yet, he shows what a persons flaws can eventually do to them and the people they love. Karma...at it's best. Thank you Colin, you are truly a gifted writer.

Rating:
Summary: You must experience!
Review: Some books you read. Other books you read because your bored and it was the one the was holding up the coffee table. Well rest assured you have found your salvation in "Satisfy My Soul" by Colin Channer.
Satisfy My Soul will throw you to the left catapolt you to the right and just when you think you've got it it slaps you right there in the middle for any eye opening experience that you wont soon forget.
You feel a side of passion and love the will make you look back on your own life and figure out what you have lost. It is more than just a page turner it is a head banger. Try it you'll see!

Rating:
Summary: My soul is truly SATISFIED
Review: Colin Channer is an excellent author, he has a beautiful and unique writing stytle. I am a voracious reader and am always excited about reading great books.

One thing I enjoyed most is how passionate and sincere the characters were portrayed. Mr. Channer is definitely an author to watch. I definitely recommend this book.

--Prosperity

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised by Satisfy My Soul
Review: I have not read such a good book in a long time, and was immediately drawn into Carey's world. A world of self-loathing searching for redemption in love. Carey's complex personality and beliefs with self doubting clarity will keep you hooked on every word throughout Carey's journey of self discovery and ultimate truth.

Mr. Channer's style of writing is so unique and uplifting, and makes you face your own inner truths. His words lead you to discover their meaning through circular half descriptions; where the reader finds the answers in another labyrinth of words.

Poetic and erotic, a journey of the Spirit. In other words-Beautiful.