The Residue Years

By: Mitchell S. Jackson

Narrated by: Corey Allen

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Mitchell S. Jackson grew up black in a neglected neighborhood in America’s whitest city, Portland, Oregon. In the ’90s, those streets and beyond had fallen under the shadow of crack cocaine and its familiar mayhem. In his commanding autobiographical novel, Mitchell writes what it was to come of age in that time and place, with a break-out voice that’s nothing less than extraordinary.

The Residue Years switches between the perspectives of a young man, Champ, and his mother, Grace. Grace is just out of a drug treatment program, trying to stay clean and get her kids back. Champ is trying to do right by his mom and younger brothers, and dreams of reclaiming the only home he and his family have ever shared. But selling crack is the only sure way he knows to achieve his dream. In this world of few options and little opportunity, where love is your strength and your weakness, this family fights for family and against what tears one apart.

Honest in its portrayal, with cadences that dazzle, The Residue Years signals the arrival of a writer set to awe.

©2013 Mitchell S. Jackson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

intensely captivating

I flew through it. The character development and cadence held me to the painful end. I am so thankful for this emotional labor of love.

Dense in cultural details

This book was fabulously written. The verbiage was phenomenal and clearly expressed the thoughts and actions of the characters. Its reverse style kept my attention and created a sense of “what happened to…” I hope he writes more…great read and highly recommended. Corey Allen does a spectacular job.

Stunning writing. Harrowing story.

This is one of the most beautifully written novels I have come across in a very long time. I believe that for the best look at this book reading is more important than listening. That said, the narrator is perfection. The Residue Years is not easy. The story is of a family in the rough part of Portland OR (read this author's Survival Math for non-fiction on that). It is harrowing. It deals with the horrible catch-22s of the drug trade and incarceration and subsequently the terrible toll that takes on families just trying to get by. Racism, while not leaned on constantly rears its hideous head in the body of one character in particular. Based on the description I don't believe I would have chosen this book. Fortunately it was recommended by Cindy House who does public readings with David Sedaris.

Intimate story of the cycle of addiction

I don't read a lot of literary fiction, so I tend to pick these stories without knowing exactly what to expect. The Residue Years switches between the points of view of Champ and his mother, Grace. Following Grace's stint in court-mandated rehab, she and Champ try to reconnect with each other, with their family, and with the previous life and home they'd lost touch with. Champ and Grace appear to want to change their lives, but they keep making poor decisions. This story is ultimately an intimate portrayal of the vicious cycle of addiction and how it erodes those bonds. The author did a great job of helping me empathize with these characters and their struggle.