Regular marked price: $14.00Discount Price: $11.96
Cost Savings: $2.04 (15%)Price fluctuation possible.
How soon does it ship: Normal ship time within one day
Shipping? Absolutely FREE if you qualify for Super Saver Shipping.
Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780671014995
ISBN number: 0671014994
Label: Washington Square Press
Manufacturer: Washington Square Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: October 01, 1998
Publishing house: Washington Square Press
Sale Popularity Level: 141490
Studio: Washington Square Press
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
New York Times bestselling author Walter Mosley introduces an 'astonishing character' (Los Angeles Times Book Review) in this acclaimed collection of entwined tales. Meet Socrates Fortlow, a tough ex-con seeking truth and redemption in South Central Los Angeles -- and finding the miracle of survival.
'I either committed a crime or had a crime done to me every day I was in jail. Once you go to prison you belong there.' Socrates Fortlow has done his time: twenty-seven years for murder and rape, acts forged by his huge, rock-breaking hands. Now, he has come home to a new kind of prison: two battered rooms in an abandoned building in Watts. Working for the Bounty supermarket, and moving perilously close to invisibility, it is Socrates who throws a lifeline to a drowning man: young Darryl, whose shaky path is already bloodstained and fearsome. In a place of violence and hopelessness, Socrates offers up his own battle-scarred wisdom that can turn the world around.
Amazon.com Review:
In this cycle of 14 bittersweet stories, Walter Mosley breaks out of the genre--if not the setting--of his bestselling Easy Rawlins detective novels. Only eight years after serving out a prison sentence for murder, Socrates Fortlow lives in a tiny, two-room Watts apartment, where he cooks on a hot plate, scavenges for bottles, drinks, and wrestles with his demons. Struggling to control a seemingly boundless rage--as well as the power of his massive 'rock-breaking' hands--Socrates must find a way to live an honorable life as a grey man on the margins of a white world, a task which takes every ounce of self-control he has.
Easy Rawlins fans might initially find themselves disappointed by the absence of a mystery to unravel. But it's a gripping inner drama that unfolds over the pages of these stories, as Socrates comes to grips with the chaos, poverty, and violence around him. He tries to get and keep a job delivering groceries; takes in a young street kid named Darryl, who has his own murder to hide; and helps drive out the neighborhood crack dealer. Throughout, Mosley captures the rhythms of Watts life in prose both musical and hard-edged, resulting in a haunting look at a life bounded by lust, violence, fear, and a ruthlessly unsentimental moral vision.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
-
The story begins similar to the Langston Hughes short story "Thank you, Ma'am" (a literary nod that I enjoyed) as a young man attempts to steal from Socrates Fortlow, a clue that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Socrates Fortlow is an ex-con, 8 years out of prison after serving 27 years for rape and murder. _Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned_ is the story of Socrate's struggle to forgive himself of what he's done (in and out of prison) and to help other African-Americans in south central LA avoid similar mistakes.
Fortlow is a complex character - he's angry: he sees the good and potential in others, but he can't see the same in himself. He's formidible: his huge hands are nicknamed "rock breakers" for a reason. And he has a remarkable ability to forgive others, yet is unwilling to forgive himself. Through Fortlow, Mosley shows us how important it is to recognize our universal humanity and that ultimately, we are all our brother's keepers.
It is on the surface a light read, the messages subtle as Fortlow humbly goes about his business trying to find work, trying to stay out of trouble and (when he can), acting as mentor, philosopher and role-model for young and old in his neighborhood. Some may miss these nuances, in which case it is still a wonderful picture of one man's struggle to do right by himself. For those who give it a closer read, they will find the way in which Mosley gently shares his message rewarding. Recommended.
Rated by buyers 
-
A collection of stories (some are more like character sketches) is just not as compelling as a book with one story would be, but the main character is interesting and the book is well-written and not as bleak as it might be. The author likes his protagonist, and you probably will, too, an ex-con with a strong moral code and no inhibition about expressing it. Made me want to read the author's other books, so it can't be too bad.
Rated by buyers 
-
I really enjoyed this book. Mosley is a great talent and his writing is though provoking and insightful. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is because I felt there was something lacking. I wanted to feel like there was some kind of conflict and there wasn't. It was preachy--in a good way- but if given a definite plot or pushed a little more in a definite direction it would have been an amazing book. Even the constant reminder of his rape and murder convictions didn't create enough conflict. His goodness outweighed his crime and eventually with every mention, I got this "haven't we all" feeling. It was as if he was confessing to stepping on ants. Overall though, I would suggest reading it, just because Mosley has an amazing honest voice in his writing and I love the passion he gives his characters.
Rated by buyers -
Socrates is a man trying to recover from his past mistakes. The story begins 8 years post Socrates' release from prison for rape and murder. Socrates is a man full of character, who has decided that his prison time was not enough to repay the debt to society for his heinous crimes. He makes a life long committment to encourage and mentor as he tries to muddle through the obstacles of being an ex con.
Once again, Mosley has created a wonderful story. Socrates' profound descriptions of life around him are so perfect, it is difficult to imagine this man ever committed such crimes. There is a lesson in this story for everyone.
Rated by buyers -
Last summer I read this entire book on the train from Ohio to NYC. Socrates Fortlow is one of my favorite characters of all time. There is a poignancy to a character who seemingly has nothing going for him except his strength of morals. Read this book and you may have to take a second look at the downtrodden of society.
Find other books like this one:
