THE LAST STREET NOVEL

You might not like the hero of this novel. He's selfish and misogynistic, and he treats women like dirt. But there's no doubt about his credibility as a character. Richard Allen makes sure no one will easily forget this book. His silky voice paints the story of Shareef, a highly successful black romance writer who suddenly decides to write a "street book" on Harlem to prove his manhood. Allen takes listeners on an audio tour of Harlem, a once black neighborhood now going upscale. His portrayals of Shareef's old neighborhood friends are perfect. There's action, romance, big business intrigue, and, in the end, a kind of reckoning as Shareef realizes what it truly means to be a man. M.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]