The Son of Mr. Suleman

A Novel

By: Eric Jerome Dickey

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 16 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Named in USA Today's "5 books not to miss", and New York Post's "The best new books to read"

From New York Times best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey - named one of USA Today’s 100 Black Novelists and Fiction Authors You Should Read - comes his final work: an unflinchingly timely novel about history, hearts, and family.

It’s the summer of 2019, and Professor Pi Suleman is a Black man from Memphis with a lot to endure - not only as a Black man in Trump’s America but in his hard-earned career as an adjunct professor. Pi is constantly forced to bite his tongue in the face of one of his tenured colleague’s prejudices and microaggressions. At the same time, he’s being blackmailed by a powerful professor who threatens to claim he has assaulted her, when in fact the truth is just the opposite, trapping him in a he-said-she-said with a white woman that, in this society, Pi knows he will never win.

When he meets Gemma Buckingham, a sophisticated entrepreneur who has just moved to Memphis from London to escape a deep heartbreak, things begin to look up. Though Gemma and Pi hail from separate cultures, their differences fuel a fiery and passionate connection that just may consume them both.

But Pi’s whirlwind romance is interrupted when his absentee father, a celebrated writer, passes away and Pi is called to Los Angeles to both collect his inheritance and learn about the man who never acknowledged him. With the complicated legacy of his famous father to make sense of, Gemma’s visa expiration date looming, and the threats of his colleague becoming increasingly intense, Pi must figure out who he is and what kind of man he will become in his father’s shadow.

In The Son of Mr. Suleman, Eric Jerome Dickey takes readers on a powerful journey exploring racism, colorism, life as a mixed-race person, sexual assault, microaggressions, truth and lies, cultural differences, politics, family legacies, perceptions, the impact of enslavement and Jim Crow, code-switching, the power of death, and the weight of love. It is an extraordinary story, page-turning and intense, and a book only Dickey could write.

©2020 Eric Jerome Dickey (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This book is a powerhouse. It is impossible not to become fully absorbed in every scene, the vibrant, dynamic characters drawing you in again and again.... All in all, the world through Pi Suleman’s eyes is dark, complex, and endlessly compelling.” (Associated Press)

“For 25 years, Eric Jerome Dickey’s best sellers have made Black women feel seen and, more importantly, understood.... The Son of Mr. Suleman is full of his trademark humor and vibrantly rendered characters.... With this page-turner, Dickey once again lives up to his motto: 'Writers do'." (Essence)

"Eric Jerome Dickey is the king of writing Black joy. His characters evoke a sense of esteem for self, showing how they might be if white folks just left them alone. If we could just be our happy, sensual, ambitious, free selves we would be modeling one of his characters. However, this book takes on grief, racism, and microaggressions in a big way, too; it's the first of his works to do so with such detailed intention." (W Magazine, Delores Williams)

The Unexpected

The good bad and ugly of what is taken for granted. Stay mindful, stay present.

Absolutely an amazing storyline!!

I absolutely love this book it had all the elements needed; the drama, excitement, Passion, the thrilling moments I was clenching my teeth! It was just filled with so so much and it was relevant to today's topics that are going on. I could visually see what I was reading in my head. I'm saddened that this was his last novel. I will be reading more books by Eric Jerome Dickey. RIP literary genius 🙏🏾❤👑

The last of the GREATEST

A phenomenal listen. Dickey knows how to keep you enthralled. I'm gonna listen again just because I'm so sad it's his last. Rest in Peace EDJ, you are missed

Very very great listen. Buying the hardback.

Loved it just loved it. Sharing it with all I know. Wonderful story wonderfully spoken.

BitterSweet

Listening to this book was Bitter sweet. Knowing this will be the last book by one of my favorite authors, I didn't want it to end. The way he can tell a story and make you feel like you're on the journey with them will be missed.

Best of the best

This book held my full attention from start to finish Dion Graham is Fantastic

Really enjoyed

loved it because it touched on a .lot of what is going on today

Rest well and a job will done.

I hate that this is his last book. I could see the parallels of his life that he inserted into his last story, knowing it would be his last story. Great work by a great author that will truly be missed. Dion Graham is an exceptional narrator. He gave live to this story. Well done.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

I loved this book.... great listen!! Found myself hanging on every word, especially at the end. Now I'm sad it's over 😔😔😔

that CNN smile with that Fox News heart

only Eric Jerome dickey only Eric Jerome dickey this man was a gem and he will be missed rest in heaven
this might be one of his greatest and I have read them all