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I Can't Wait on God
The crowded joys and familiar despair of poor, back-alley life in post-World War II Pittsburgh have a hold on most people there. Still, there are those who need to escape. Jeremiah Henderson and his woman, Willet Mercer, have set their sights on New York City, and Willet secretly wishes for a reunion with the little boy she abandoned in North Carolina long ago. For a time, it looks as if their dreams may come true. But making good is easier said than done, and after a money-making scheme goes awry, Jeremiah and Willet flee Pittsburgh in a fancy new Buick, leaving a trail of blood behind them. Told over the course of five days and nights in the summer of 1950, this is an unforgettable story of crime, punishment, and loss.
- GenresFictionAdult Fiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 1998
67 people want to read
About the author
Albert French
15 books11 followersAlbert French is an American author and publisher whose works, mainly focusing on the rural life of African Americans, are known for their intensity and distinctive style and have been translated into several languages.
French was born in Pittsburgh in 1943 and joined the Marine Corps when he was 20. His experiences there are described in his book 'Patches of Fire.' After returning home, French worked as a photographer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette before publishing the Pittsburgh Preview for twelve years. He continues to reside in Pittsburgh.
French was born in Pittsburgh in 1943 and joined the Marine Corps when he was 20. His experiences there are described in his book 'Patches of Fire.' After returning home, French worked as a photographer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette before publishing the Pittsburgh Preview for twelve years. He continues to reside in Pittsburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 23, 2017
Comparable to my experience with the August Wilson plays, I was thrilled to discover another hometown black author writing in a historically themed nature about the African American experience in Pittsburgh. I am not sure if it is rare or if I am just now having this period of discovery but I am enjoying it. There are a gazillion books about other well known cities across the country such as New York, Chicago and Los Angles. But it seems to me to be a rare thing to come across books set in Pittsburgh, let alone using the historic black communities as a focal point. We have such a rich and at times conflicting history with our city. To not have it documented in the historical fiction genre by more than our heralded native son Mr. Wilson is shameful. With that as a preamble, it explains why discovering this book was the equivalent of finding another blue M&M in the bag you thought upon last look was full of yellows. Surprised and delighted.
I enjoyed this book. Let me proclaim this before I pass any other judgment upon it. This is a good book. This is a book that I am glad that I have read. This is a book that I do hope that someone in the film industry should adapt into a film that would do the work justice.
This book takes place in a community on the east side of Pittsburgh called Homewood. In the 1950's, the time in which the book takes place, Homewood was a mixed race community. Although primarily white and minimally black as most communities were prior the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Black residents in most communities (excluding The Hill) had a few streets that they were not restricted to but economics and racial attitudes kept them living in. These circumstances created tight knit communities within communities amongst the residents of the predominantly African American grids of streets. This book I Can't Wait On God gives a glimpse into just a few of the lives of this historic Pittsburgh neighborhood's black peoples as you may have found a few of them living out their lives in Homewood.
Reminiscent of an August Wilson or even a Gloria Naylor there is a lot of conversation and banter between the characters that was so familiar and realistic that it made me laugh. Interactions that remind me of the chatter of Barbershops, the local bar or sidewalk gossip amongst neighbors. This is a story within several stories. A main feature with a variety of supporting characters who all have their own side stories. The synopsis of this book will tell you that this is the story of Jeremiah and Willet and what they do to end up on the run. But the actual reading of this novel will tell you more stories than you can be enriched with that will cause you to think, ponder and contemplate long after you have closed the book. The stories of Tommy Moses, Mr. Allen, Dicky Bird, Bill Lovet, Mack Jack, Miss Alberta, Gus Goins and all the patrons of his bar, not to mention countless other neighbors that the reader meets along the way. This novel is full.
Now, my commentary. There were a lot of good things about this book and I had a good experience for the most part with it but...my biggest gripe was the language. Because this is my first time reading a book by this author, I do not know if this is just his writing style and something I must acclimate to as I continue to read his books. But the writing style was a bit annoying and luckily the actual story was so entertaining that I was able to look past it and keep reading. The problem was the book was full of colloquialisms. I don't know if the intention was to portray people speaking in a type of neighborhood vernacular or if the actual final product was faulty on the editing? Most sentences started with "that" and a lot of "ing's" were missing in the spelling. (That Mister Allen was smellin that fresh mornin air.) At times the vernacular would go on and on as the story was told and then as if the editor caught it or the author forgot to keep speaking his jargon and spoke regularly it would stop for a few sentences and then begin again. There also could have been more paragraph breaks to define the location or setting change within the chapters. This being said, you could still tell that the author had it within him to provide good writing. The work was very descriptive. It was conclusive and cohesive. It was either the style or the editing. Both I looked through for the greater enjoyment of the book.
Rating: I must go with a 4 out of 5 because of the writing style. I do recommend this book. In fact, I already have to some friends. I am going to read this author's other works.
I enjoyed this book. Let me proclaim this before I pass any other judgment upon it. This is a good book. This is a book that I am glad that I have read. This is a book that I do hope that someone in the film industry should adapt into a film that would do the work justice.
This book takes place in a community on the east side of Pittsburgh called Homewood. In the 1950's, the time in which the book takes place, Homewood was a mixed race community. Although primarily white and minimally black as most communities were prior the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Black residents in most communities (excluding The Hill) had a few streets that they were not restricted to but economics and racial attitudes kept them living in. These circumstances created tight knit communities within communities amongst the residents of the predominantly African American grids of streets. This book I Can't Wait On God gives a glimpse into just a few of the lives of this historic Pittsburgh neighborhood's black peoples as you may have found a few of them living out their lives in Homewood.
Reminiscent of an August Wilson or even a Gloria Naylor there is a lot of conversation and banter between the characters that was so familiar and realistic that it made me laugh. Interactions that remind me of the chatter of Barbershops, the local bar or sidewalk gossip amongst neighbors. This is a story within several stories. A main feature with a variety of supporting characters who all have their own side stories. The synopsis of this book will tell you that this is the story of Jeremiah and Willet and what they do to end up on the run. But the actual reading of this novel will tell you more stories than you can be enriched with that will cause you to think, ponder and contemplate long after you have closed the book. The stories of Tommy Moses, Mr. Allen, Dicky Bird, Bill Lovet, Mack Jack, Miss Alberta, Gus Goins and all the patrons of his bar, not to mention countless other neighbors that the reader meets along the way. This novel is full.
Now, my commentary. There were a lot of good things about this book and I had a good experience for the most part with it but...my biggest gripe was the language. Because this is my first time reading a book by this author, I do not know if this is just his writing style and something I must acclimate to as I continue to read his books. But the writing style was a bit annoying and luckily the actual story was so entertaining that I was able to look past it and keep reading. The problem was the book was full of colloquialisms. I don't know if the intention was to portray people speaking in a type of neighborhood vernacular or if the actual final product was faulty on the editing? Most sentences started with "that" and a lot of "ing's" were missing in the spelling. (That Mister Allen was smellin that fresh mornin air.) At times the vernacular would go on and on as the story was told and then as if the editor caught it or the author forgot to keep speaking his jargon and spoke regularly it would stop for a few sentences and then begin again. There also could have been more paragraph breaks to define the location or setting change within the chapters. This being said, you could still tell that the author had it within him to provide good writing. The work was very descriptive. It was conclusive and cohesive. It was either the style or the editing. Both I looked through for the greater enjoyment of the book.
Rating: I must go with a 4 out of 5 because of the writing style. I do recommend this book. In fact, I already have to some friends. I am going to read this author's other works.
July 10, 2023
Probs closer to 2.5. It’s giving Fences energy. Too many characters, though beautifully described. A tad unsatisfied with the ending.
September 30, 2023
I enjoyed reading it, liked the style of writing, brought it all to life, bit disappointed with ending, felt like there were some things left unexplained
February 6, 2012
(FROM JACKET)Of Albert French's debut novel, "Billy", Tim O'Brien said,"Astonishing...a powerful and frightening exploration of the human capacity for injustice. 'Billy' is a book that will stay with me in my dreams." of "Holly", his second, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW said,"The beauty of Mr. French's language is exceptional...If the purpose of art is to illuminate the ordinary, Mr. French lets us see that we are all humble and precious in his sight." Now, in "I Can't Wait on God", French pursues those themes to their heartbreaking limits.
The crowded joys and familiar despair of poor, back-alley life in post-World War II Pittsburgh have a hold on most people there. Still, there are those who need to escape. Jeremiah Henderson and his woman, Willet Mercer, have set their sights on New York City, and Willet secretly wishes for a reunion with the little boy she abandoned in North Carolina long ago. For a time, it looks as if their dreams may come true. But making good is easier said than done, and after a money-making scheme goes awry, Jeremiah and Willet flee Pittsburgh in a fancy new Buick, leaving a trail of blood behind them.
Told over the course of five days and nights in the summer of 1950, this is an unforgettable story of crime, punishment, and loss. His richest and most affecting novel yet, I Can't Wait on God is a classic that confirms Albert French as one of the most talented and original voices of our time.
The crowded joys and familiar despair of poor, back-alley life in post-World War II Pittsburgh have a hold on most people there. Still, there are those who need to escape. Jeremiah Henderson and his woman, Willet Mercer, have set their sights on New York City, and Willet secretly wishes for a reunion with the little boy she abandoned in North Carolina long ago. For a time, it looks as if their dreams may come true. But making good is easier said than done, and after a money-making scheme goes awry, Jeremiah and Willet flee Pittsburgh in a fancy new Buick, leaving a trail of blood behind them.
Told over the course of five days and nights in the summer of 1950, this is an unforgettable story of crime, punishment, and loss. His richest and most affecting novel yet, I Can't Wait on God is a classic that confirms Albert French as one of the most talented and original voices of our time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews