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The Old Man in the Club
He’s the “old guy in the club” who everyone judges and scorns, but there’s so much more to his story—travel into the mind and soul of a complex man on the road to redemption in this riveting, true-to-life novel.
Almost everyone who has been to a nightclub has seen the “old man in the club.” He’s the graying, balding loner looking totally out of place, like he could be everyone’s father. Or grandfather. And almost everyone’s wondering the same Why is he in here?
In Curtis Bunn’s The Old Man in the Club , you learn why. Meet Elliott Thomas, sixty-one years old, and not afraid of spending a night among twenty-something strangers. But his motivation for hanging out in clubs isn’t his fear of growing old; it’s his desire to catch up on what he’s missed. Recently released as a free man after years of false accusations and his wrongful incarceration, Elliot is on his journey to redemption. How he goes about it, however, gives some people pause. Some find him charming, some find him creepy. The women his age find him disgusting. His buddies marvel at his nerve. His children loathe his existence. But no matter who judges him, Elliott is set on reclaiming his youth—the way he wants to.
A page-turner that outlines the depth, complexities, and motivations of an intriguing character, this novel will surprise and touch you—and make sure you’ll never look at the “old man in the club” the same way again.
Almost everyone who has been to a nightclub has seen the “old man in the club.” He’s the graying, balding loner looking totally out of place, like he could be everyone’s father. Or grandfather. And almost everyone’s wondering the same Why is he in here?
In Curtis Bunn’s The Old Man in the Club , you learn why. Meet Elliott Thomas, sixty-one years old, and not afraid of spending a night among twenty-something strangers. But his motivation for hanging out in clubs isn’t his fear of growing old; it’s his desire to catch up on what he’s missed. Recently released as a free man after years of false accusations and his wrongful incarceration, Elliot is on his journey to redemption. How he goes about it, however, gives some people pause. Some find him charming, some find him creepy. The women his age find him disgusting. His buddies marvel at his nerve. His children loathe his existence. But no matter who judges him, Elliott is set on reclaiming his youth—the way he wants to.
A page-turner that outlines the depth, complexities, and motivations of an intriguing character, this novel will surprise and touch you—and make sure you’ll never look at the “old man in the club” the same way again.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2014
9 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Curtis Bunn
15 books51 followersCurtis Bunn, a Washington, D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, is an Essence No. 1 best-selling author whose ability to expose the mind, thoughts, motivations and vulnerabilities of his characters has made him a reader’s favorite.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 29, 2018
Talking about a page turner. So many things went through my mind as I was reading this book: “play with fire.....you will get burnt, you can’t relive your youth...move on, travesties early on can impede growth, how easily we pass judgment on others, infidelity does irreparable harm and the list could go.” But, nothing prepared me for the complexities that were characteristic of Elliott....Lucy.....Henry...and Tamara.
I loved the story lines. The book had so many lessons, twists and turns. There was little to no predictability. Thank you Mr. Bun for weaving such a tapestry. It was rich in every aspect. Each character grew in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. One of the most memorable takeaways from the read is that counseling is embraced. This is truly a must read.....
I loved the story lines. The book had so many lessons, twists and turns. There was little to no predictability. Thank you Mr. Bun for weaving such a tapestry. It was rich in every aspect. Each character grew in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. One of the most memorable takeaways from the read is that counseling is embraced. This is truly a must read.....
September 15, 2014
Not exactly the five star that I had anticipated, but I still enjoyed it. Many lessons can be taught reading this book. Never judge that old man hanging in the club, you just never know why.
September 24, 2018
I loved the message of this book more than the story although the story is good too. It is easy to judge Elliott but that ties into the author's message which I'll discuss below.
Elliott Thomas is a sixty-one-year-old man who hangs out at the club. Not only does he hang out at the club but he flirts with and dates young women. Elliot is also divorced and sees a therapist. He meets Tamara, a twenty-five-year-old and they begin dating. Tamara is also a friend of Elliot‘s twenty-something-year-old children. I like Elliot but I disagree with his lifestyle. Elliot was convicted of something he didn't do and I felt the reason for that conviction and him dating young women just looks bad. I didn't think his past justified his desires to pursue younger women by any means. A thirty-five-year-old difference is just too much. I also really dislike the way his children treat him. Elliot's ex-wife Lucy is also holding onto something. I long suspected what her secret was and I was upset that she would allow Elliot to endure abuse from his children because of something that wasn't his fault.
The author's message is: We instantly assess a person‘s values, motives, and character without ever having sat down to get to know them. Many of us judged this old man just by reading the title alone and knowing nothing about him.
Elliot is not just an old man in the club. The author did well to provide us with multiple layers of his life. He is more complex. He has a past, trauma, and triggers. Elliot was convicted of something he didn't do and endured other life-changing things in his life.
There’s also a craft chapter at the end of the book where the author explained his inspiration for writing the book and why as well as a list of discussion questions. This was helpful and rather than taking away from the book, I think it was needed and nicely done.
Despite my feelings about the characters actions, they were fully developed and representative of real people. Their decisions did not take away from the book but made it more realistic. Things are not as they appear. It makes you think about our perceptions and how we judge others with no knowledge of who they are or where they've been. Everyone has a story and well-written as it is, this is Elliot's.
Elliott Thomas is a sixty-one-year-old man who hangs out at the club. Not only does he hang out at the club but he flirts with and dates young women. Elliot is also divorced and sees a therapist. He meets Tamara, a twenty-five-year-old and they begin dating. Tamara is also a friend of Elliot‘s twenty-something-year-old children. I like Elliot but I disagree with his lifestyle. Elliot was convicted of something he didn't do and I felt the reason for that conviction and him dating young women just looks bad. I didn't think his past justified his desires to pursue younger women by any means. A thirty-five-year-old difference is just too much. I also really dislike the way his children treat him. Elliot's ex-wife Lucy is also holding onto something. I long suspected what her secret was and I was upset that she would allow Elliot to endure abuse from his children because of something that wasn't his fault.
The author's message is: We instantly assess a person‘s values, motives, and character without ever having sat down to get to know them. Many of us judged this old man just by reading the title alone and knowing nothing about him.
Elliot is not just an old man in the club. The author did well to provide us with multiple layers of his life. He is more complex. He has a past, trauma, and triggers. Elliot was convicted of something he didn't do and endured other life-changing things in his life.
There’s also a craft chapter at the end of the book where the author explained his inspiration for writing the book and why as well as a list of discussion questions. This was helpful and rather than taking away from the book, I think it was needed and nicely done.
Despite my feelings about the characters actions, they were fully developed and representative of real people. Their decisions did not take away from the book but made it more realistic. Things are not as they appear. It makes you think about our perceptions and how we judge others with no knowledge of who they are or where they've been. Everyone has a story and well-written as it is, this is Elliot's.
January 31, 2018
This book was so good and kept in suspense for sometime. it's a must read because it really makes you understand why older men hangout in clubs. Curtis Bunn you really did it with this book. My bookclub really enjoyed it. Will be reading many more of your books. The life experience that where shown in the books were really good. People go through so many life experience that really affect their lives as well as those who are in their lives. Curtis Bunn made this very clear in his book. Secrets in families can really hurt family members especially children when they become adults.
The plot was very good. You don't really going on with the people that are in your immediate all the time. Somethings can really be a shock to you when you discover them. Life experiences also can make you wonder if you made the right decisions when you where younger and how they can affect you as an adult.
The plot was very good. You don't really going on with the people that are in your immediate all the time. Somethings can really be a shock to you when you discover them. Life experiences also can make you wonder if you made the right decisions when you where younger and how they can affect you as an adult.
September 8, 2019
When I saw the title, I assumed that the book was a typical portrayal of an old dirty old man cruising the night scene for one night stands. Boy, was I wrong! The main character , Elliott, is 61 years old. He was falsely accused of a crime and spent years incarcerated. Finally, released because of DNA evidence, he tries to recapture years lost. A failed marriage and adult children that despise him adds to this complex story and man.
Reading this book was similar to peeling the layers of an onion, never knowing what to expect at the core. What I found was a compassionate man searching for happiness and the desire to reunite with different people in his life And including himself.
Reading this book was similar to peeling the layers of an onion, never knowing what to expect at the core. What I found was a compassionate man searching for happiness and the desire to reunite with different people in his life And including himself.
March 14, 2024
I love Zane. Cairo is my favorite writer of hers. But Curtis Bunn brought his A-game.
Initially, I thought this book was going to be about the typical pervert and full of raunchy, vulgar sex. However, Curtis introduces us to the complexities of Elliott. I gained tons of insight and new perspectives on his friendship with Henry and homosexuality; his relationship with his children and ex-wife; forgiveness; redemption; and his time in prison. Elliott turns out to be the hero in the book. I found myself wanting the best for him several times throughout this book.
The character that got on my nerves was: Tamara. She was ratchet in every sense of the word. But Curtis did a great job conveying that.
Initially, I thought this book was going to be about the typical pervert and full of raunchy, vulgar sex. However, Curtis introduces us to the complexities of Elliott. I gained tons of insight and new perspectives on his friendship with Henry and homosexuality; his relationship with his children and ex-wife; forgiveness; redemption; and his time in prison. Elliott turns out to be the hero in the book. I found myself wanting the best for him several times throughout this book.
The character that got on my nerves was: Tamara. She was ratchet in every sense of the word. But Curtis did a great job conveying that.
February 15, 2018
Love this book and how well the story was developed. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was a believable one and kept me wanting to know what was next. I am looking forward to reading more of Curtis Bunn's work!
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was a believable one and kept me wanting to know what was next. I am looking forward to reading more of Curtis Bunn's work!
August 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I now have a new perspectives as to why people do the things they do. It shows how strong love and the love of family can be. The book also shows the power of forgiveness. The Old Man in the Club was my book club August read and it was one of our
best discussion this year.
best discussion this year.
July 28, 2017
3.5 stars
June 29, 2022
Good Read
I enjoyed the topic and the storyline.Didn't end like I expected but a Very good and fast read. I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed the topic and the storyline.Didn't end like I expected but a Very good and fast read. I highly recommend it.
August 10, 2014
Juncture
Elliott Thomas is a 61-year-old divorced father of two who still likes to hit the clubs. It’s not that he’s trying to be young; he just prefers to be in places where people are still enjoying life. It also doesn’t hurt that the women are nice to look at, and in many cases, interested in a distinguished gentleman. Unfortunately, people his own age have resolved to live more leisurely than he desires. So he’s not afraid to keep his calendar filled with exciting club events that involve twenty-somethings.
One night while out celebrating his newest friend Tamara’s 25th birthday, Elliott bumps into Daniel and Danielle, his estranged children. What’s even more awkward is the fact that they were coming to party with Tamara, their friend from school. Will this cause a bigger rift among the Thomas family, as the children are still furious with him for breaking up their family unit? Will they all be able to survive, once all of their grievances have been aired out?
I was intrigued by the title. Come on, we’ve all seen those dudes who don’t seem to know when to hang it up or change places to party at. After reading Curtis Bunn’s THE OLD MAN IN THE CLUB, I have a new found respect for those people still able to enjoy life on their terms. This book is filled with layers on top of layers. Even as the main plot becomes obvious, readers will still be invested in the outcome. I enjoyed the characters and the backstories helped to solidify my interest.
This is the first book I’ve read by Bunn. Someone should’ve pulled my collar. I will be looking to add more to my collection. THE OLD MAN IN THE CLUB is definitely recommended reading.
Reviewed by Crystal
4.5
May 26, 2016
Excellent Read! By the time I was halfway through thus book I had real compassion for all of the characters! Now to me thats good writing! And, Curtis Bunn told a full, captivating realistic story, IN ONE BOOK!!!! YES!!! Thank you! I have burnt out totally on these "urban fiction" writers who start off with a bang on volume one, then, just to make paper, turn out these volumes 2,3,4,5,6 etc just to get your money but the stories suck! Give me my "Goodreads" in one book Please! And then, if you are a great writer, write a new book! This is what Curtis Bunn does and I Love him for it! Brother can write! Now I am onto "A Cold Piece of Work" Thank you Sir!
December 17, 2014
You know, I checked this book out just kind of as a joke, but I found myself enjoying it. Elliot is a sympathetic character, and while I saw the twist coming a MILE away, I was interested to see what was going to happen with his family. There were a few distracting typos and some weird verb/tense issues. I also thought that this book had an interesting way of allowing Elliot to work out his issues.
December 26, 2015
This was my first book by Mr. Bunn, and it definitely won't be my last. A very interesting story with a moral of not judging a book by it's cover because you don't know the backstory. I will definitely be liking for past and future works.
June 19, 2015
Great Read
This was my first book by Mr. Bunn, and it definately won't be my last. A very interesting story with a moral of not judging a book by it's cover because you don't know the backstory. I will definately be liiking for past and future works.
This was my first book by Mr. Bunn, and it definately won't be my last. A very interesting story with a moral of not judging a book by it's cover because you don't know the backstory. I will definately be liiking for past and future works.
April 13, 2016
This was my very first time reading a Curtis Bunn novel, but certainly not my last time reading a Curtis Bunn novel. I loved it. It was deep, reflective, funny and interesting and informative. Great storyline. Please read it, if you haven't already.
March 12, 2019
It is a drama for readers. It touches on several different topics. An old man searching for what he lost while he was in prison. It had me shaking my head, laughing and then changed my mind in a couple of things.
November 1, 2015
Interesting viewpoints on numerous topics. While not entirely entertaining, it was very informative.
November 17, 2021
I was thrilled to spend time with the author. We had a very lively discussion re older men chasing younger women. Enlighting.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews