John Woman

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Dion Graham

A convention-defying novel by best-selling writer Walter Mosley, John Woman recounts the transformation of an unassuming boy named Cornelius Jones into John Woman, an unconventional history professor - while the legacy of a hideous crime lurks in the shadows.

At 12 years old, Cornelius, the son of an Italian American woman and an older black man from Mississippi named Herman, secretly takes over his father's job at a silent film theater in New York's East Village. Five years later, as Herman lives out his last days, he shares his wisdom with his son, explaining that the person who controls the narrative of history controls their own fate.

After his father dies and his mother disappears, Cornelius sets about reinventing himself - as Professor John Woman, a man who will spread Herman's teachings into the classrooms of his unorthodox Southwestern university and beyond.

But there are other individuals who are attempting to influence the narrative of John Woman, and they might know something about the facts of his hidden past.

Engaging with some of the most provocative ideas of recent intellectual history, John Woman is a compulsively listenable, deliciously unexpected novel about the way we tell stories and whether the stories we tell have the power to change the world.

©2018 Walter Mosley (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

AWSOME

I've listened to 200+ books on audible. This by FAR is the most interesting of them all. If you love learning for the sake of learning, this book is for you!!!

Always amazed

Walter Mosley has been one of my favorite authors since I was a teen on account of my great uncle introducing me to the novel 47. The difference voices, speed, and constant conflict of characters kept me on the edge of my seat!

This is a great story!

“Reading is re-reading”

I have been a fan of Walter Mosley for years, this book will not disappoint. Well written, so much history and knowledge to explore. John Woman is a story about a boy who was dealt the short stick in life, and he chose to make the best of life in his own way, and on his own terms. Quite a few twist and turns, so many gems!!If only John felt real love things could have turned out a little differently. I titled this review reading is re-reading as this is noted in with novel and so true!

Continued success Mr. Mosley!!

Intriguing ideas to start, but poor ending

***Trigger Warning
Book contains scenes of SA and (SA) with a minor. ****

I think so highly about a great deal of the challenges posed to our thinking in this book by a character who suffered extreme neglect and manipulation due to his parents’ selfishness throughout his formative years. However, the story struggled to pull the various themes together. By the end, the story became its own version of unbridled chaos with a less than satisfying “conclusion”.

Mosley does it again!!!!

With completely new characters and a completely different kind of story, Walter Mosley cements himself as one of the greatest authors of all time!!!! Pulling me into the world of John Woman, I found myself fascinated, excited and even confused at times all the while eager to hear the next event. I’m fully invested as always in anything Walter Mosley authors!!!