Book Review: Wimbey’s Corner
by David Covin
Publication Date: May 31, 2011
List Price: $15.00
Format: Paperback, 409 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9780984435036
Imprint: Path Press
Publisher: Path Press
Parent Company: Path Press
Read a Description of Wimbey’s Corner
Book Reviewed by Emanuel Carpenter
At first glance, one might think that Wimbey’s Corner is a story about a big
and black country bumpkin’ named Wayne Hunter who moves from a small town in
Kentucky to the big bad city of Chicago and gets in way over his head when he
gets involved with a pimp known as Light. Though he may have had an incident in
Kentucky that will live with him for the rest of his life, nothing won’t be as
life-altering as his transformation to big city life and the big city world of
pimps, hoes, and danger. Yes, it’s about that but more.
As one reads further, one may think the book is about the history and present
times of a strange and wonderful community of Negroes in Evanston, Illinois in
the 1940s, called Wimbey’s Corner. Strange because it is a microcosm of blacks
living amongst a community of white millionaires. Wonderful because the
community is unlike the mean streets of Chicago. Neighbors look after each other
and protect one another’s secrets. Blacks speak properly. And an education at
the finest schools is possible. It is about that too.
One may even think the book is about Tommy Brown, a black World War II
sailor, whose has a thing for fine ladies and a bad temper that lands him in hot
water. Keep in mind, we’re talking the 1940s where racism exists in the form of
Jim Crow; it exists in the streets, and it even exists in the military hurting
the very servicemen defending the country. Or a person may think it’s about
Tommy finding the love of his life in a single mother named Electa. It is about
that as well.
Wimbey’s Corner you might say, is even about strong and unforgettable
characters like Mackenzie Sweet who vows to be the longest living Negro ever and
even revels when other black people die (He even loves war and the Ku Klux Klan
since they’re both responsible for the deaths of so many Negroes other than
himself.). Or you could say it’s about Wayne Hunter and the uncontrollable lust
and hunger that fill his head when it comes to beautiful women. And yes, it
could even be about Tommy Brown, a proud sailor who has been hurt by love in his
past but somehow finds a way to love again when it comes to the beautiful
Electa.
Yes, the book is about all of them, and that, and more. It’s about these
characters“ lives and their family’s lives. It’s about lust, anger, greed, envy,
death, vengeance, humor and even love. And it is definitely about unbridled sex.
And it all comes together beautifully.
Fans of street lit, drama, and romance alike will find something to love in this
novel. With a tighter edit (a few typos and some confusion regarding point of
view), there is no doubt that this book could find a very broad audience and
could even be a movie.
David Covin is a unique and gifted writer who has a way of enchanting his
audience with his imaginative, humorous, and vibrant writing style. He uses
repetition as an art form and always keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning
page after page. Wimbey’s Corner is one of THE books of 2011. If strong
language doesn’t offend you, you will not be able to put down this novel until
the very last page. It’s that good!