Right by My Side

by David Haynes

In this coming-of-age story, Marshall, a wisecracking African American teenager in suburban Saint Louis, deals with his mother's desertion of the family and his friend's abusive father

Genres: Fiction, 20th Century

Library Binding

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

David Haynes has been recognized by Granta magazine as one of America's best young novelists. The author of six critically acclaimed novels and five children's books, he is director of creative writing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

The former sixth grade teacher's short stories have been heard on "Selected Shorts" on NPR, and his novels have been recognized by the American Library Association.

--from the author profile at SMU

See also other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Kima Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall will win your heart!

[Christopher Louderback · Rating 5 out of 5]

At once darkly hilarious and magnificently heartbreaking, this novel reads like a classic that was lost in time — prose that turns from simplistic to deeply poetic in the span of a few sentences.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this coming of age novel. The characters were interesting from Marshall’s point of view and I cared about them. I do feel like I wish I knew more about Marshall (main character/narrator). But I think that was also the point— that he was u sure of himself and bringing the reader along. I have to say I am disappointed that I have not encountered this book before in my life as a reader of “literary fiction” with a degree in literature and cultural studies/multiculturalism. It is not the book’s fault- I presume it is the well counted oppression of black voices in the publishing and education systems. I believe it is worthy of more attention and discussion as a coming of age novel, American black teenager perspective, working class Midwest, and 1980s perspectives.

I just happened upon the book browsing at a bookshop in the “literary fiction” section. Glad that I found it and I will lift it up.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this when it first came out and enjoyed it very much.
I just finished rereading it as an audio book (30 years later) and am happy to say that the story has held up very well. The narrator also does a very good job.

[amira · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Still, later we lie separate on our backs, scattered like the rusted girders of the sculpture—yet just like them we are connected. It is a family sculpture, see. Each piece holds up another, and you can’t imagine what would happen should you remove any part. Though we are not touching I am aware of each one: Sam, his head near mine, Gayle just next to him, Todd, his arm parallel to my own. We lie in peace. The sun, crossing over to evening, warms us to the core.”

Enjoying this piece was definitely a battle. Marshall was difficult to understand and therefore a bit of work to love, which I feel was a characterization technique that worked really well. Unfortunately, this felt very dense despite the length, and at times I struggled to get through it. But what picked it up were the intriguing and thought provoking characters, the passage of time seen through the emotional trauma of side characters such as Sam, Rose and Todd; and Marshall’s distinct voice that evolved as he continued to realize his truths. I also really resonated with his disdain towards his mother and found it relatable despite the lack of substance — some dynamics aren’t worth articulating and I respect that this was the case between Sam and Rose. All in all, I’m grateful to have consumed this. And most importantly, I adoreeee Marshall’s love for Todd. Unspoken but deeply perceived!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We recently moved from Austin, TX to St. Louis, MO (where I grew up). I decided to listen to this book as I made the drive a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the walk down memory lane as I remembered my high school days in the St. Louis area. I went to high school during the time of desegregation and the experience of meeting new people who were sent by bus from their neighborhood to mine was a positive one for me. This book caused me to wonder what that experience was like for my new friends as I realized I never asked them. I'll chalk that up to being a self-absorbed teenager and hope that I have matured since then! It was also fun hearing about some familiar locations throughout the book.
I didn't predict, or particularly like, the ending. In spite of that, I enjoyed it overal. I found it to be a well-written, compelling story with interesting and likeable characters. It was the perfect choice for the journey north to our new home.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Marshall Field Finney from the first page and on to the last word -- when I started this beautiful novel from the beginning again, realizing how much I'd missed the first time. This is such a graceful, honest, subtle, gorgeous novel, with a memorable, genuine voice and a point of view -- Marshall's fifteen year old point of view about his flawed, searching, and loving mother and father, his friends, his teachers, his world and life at large -- that is profoundly important to the whole story's meaning. I can't believe I had never read this book, and now it is one of my favorites.

[Jessica Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently republished, this coming of age is poetic and MC Marshall deals with a lot of heavy things but the books is still funny and joyous. As a high school librarian, I would definitely have picked this for book club. I hope more people will read this and consider it a modern diverse Catcher in the Rye, it would be a perfect novel to read as a class, and has a lot of social commentary about racism, abuse, parenting. I really liked the dynamic between Marshall and his father, Sam, and their friend group reminded me of the friend groups in Jeff Zentner's books as well. It was touching and tender.

[Tara Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished listening to the 2023 re-release of this novel and was transfixed. Though it was originally published in 1993, it still felt fresh and relevant, a testament to Haynes’ ability to focus on the fundamental humanity of the protagonist as he struggles with upheavals in his family life. And just when things start to settle into a groove, things change again, requiring the protagonist to develop new strategies. I found myself changing my mind about how I felt about multiple characters over the course of the book, a masterful move in a slim novel such as this. A worthwhile and life-affirming read.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the his book. It was able to walk the line of humor and heartbreak throughout the book. David is a 15 year old growing up in North St. Louis county. The book is from his perspective and walks through the daily life of a young black man in STL in 1986. The lessons about friendship, family, growing up, and empathy are strong today as they were when the book was published ('93).

[John Kinkade · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine--a coming of age, portrait of the artist as a young man novel, but the development into an artist feels fairly disconnected from the rest of the novel. Plot meanders quite a bit, and characters aren't all that fleshed out. I enjoyed it well enough but wasn't bowled over.

[Carolyn Gierer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first 5 star read of the year. Please read this. It is a beautiful, funny, thoughtful story about friendship, fathers and sons, growing up. Just beautiful. Under 200 pages, so would be good to bookmark if you participate in Shory September.

[Terrence Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book reminded me of the importance of being compassionate, especially during times when it’s easier to not be.

“it doesn’t matter what they think. it only matters what we think-your family and friends.the people who love you.” -artie

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

read for one of my classes. it's an okay book!