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Blinded Thoughts
The lives of two young black men from the Harlem "hood" of upper Manhattan in New York become inextricably intertwined through a series of seemingly unrelated events.
hood, urban, action, suspense, street,
Follow Noel -- the Dollar Man -- through his early life on the street, a brief respite in a group home following his parents' arrest for abusing his sister, Jenna, culminating in several years of incarceration at the Bridges Juvenile Detention Facility in the Bronx after making a bold, but short-lived escape from the group home together with one of his roommates.
At the same time, become intimately involved in the parallel life of Terrell -- the Hustler -- who spends most of his life in the home of his grandmother, "Mama B," following his own mother's departure after she murders her friend, and who chooses to drop out of high school in order to embark on a life of drug sales, fast money, sex, and violence.
Until he encounters Noel.
hood, urban, action, suspense, street,
Follow Noel -- the Dollar Man -- through his early life on the street, a brief respite in a group home following his parents' arrest for abusing his sister, Jenna, culminating in several years of incarceration at the Bridges Juvenile Detention Facility in the Bronx after making a bold, but short-lived escape from the group home together with one of his roommates.
At the same time, become intimately involved in the parallel life of Terrell -- the Hustler -- who spends most of his life in the home of his grandmother, "Mama B," following his own mother's departure after she murders her friend, and who chooses to drop out of high school in order to embark on a life of drug sales, fast money, sex, and violence.
Until he encounters Noel.
- GenresFiction
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2014
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 21, 2014
I was completely blown away by this book. I read this book in one day.
Living in the city, I know things like what has been described in Mark Leslie's book can and do happen. I am grateful that I have never encountered such things. REALLY grateful!
Mark Leslie writes this book as fictional but it is based on real life events, events I imagine he has encountered himself. The book is gritty and certainly not for the faint of heart. There is sex, murder, hard core language, and drug abuse galore. I was shocked at the "gift" the character, Terell, was given from his mother. The way these two mens lives crossed was tragic and heartbreaking.
Oh, and the ending...totally unexpected! Unreal!
There are only two things that I saw as negative for the book, the book needed to be editied again as there were typos throughout. The other thing was the quotes before each chapter that alluded to content for each chapter was annoying and I think it could be dropped.
I highly recommend this book if you want to get into the minds of drug addicts, and people who are learning to survive in such a life.
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**A portion of each of the books sold goes to help a friend's family who was killed over drugs. This is very personal for the author.
5 stars
Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours.
Living in the city, I know things like what has been described in Mark Leslie's book can and do happen. I am grateful that I have never encountered such things. REALLY grateful!
Mark Leslie writes this book as fictional but it is based on real life events, events I imagine he has encountered himself. The book is gritty and certainly not for the faint of heart. There is sex, murder, hard core language, and drug abuse galore. I was shocked at the "gift" the character, Terell, was given from his mother. The way these two mens lives crossed was tragic and heartbreaking.
Oh, and the ending...totally unexpected! Unreal!
There are only two things that I saw as negative for the book, the book needed to be editied again as there were typos throughout. The other thing was the quotes before each chapter that alluded to content for each chapter was annoying and I think it could be dropped.
I highly recommend this book if you want to get into the minds of drug addicts, and people who are learning to survive in such a life.
-------
**A portion of each of the books sold goes to help a friend's family who was killed over drugs. This is very personal for the author.
5 stars
Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours.
March 23, 2014
for this to be a new young author I didn't hold very high expectations, but this book is has a strong set of characters and a very strong story line. the author makes u feel like the actual people in this story are telling you the story it in person. It will make u question everything til the very end
April 9, 2014
best read
Blinded Thoughts
M. Leslie
Blinded Thoughts
M. Leslie
April 29, 2014
Gritty, compelling tale of two seemingly unconnected men who's lives ultimately collide in an explosion of combined fate. Both men are victims of their parents lives. Drugs, hustling, and murder are the reality of their childhood existence, and while this is a story about survival, it is not a pretty or elegant tale of triumph. They are destined from birth for the family business, and each must learn how to manage living in a place where birthday gifts are weapons, and murder is a common occurrence. Mark Leslie writes an unsentimental portrayal of life in Harlem in stark, no frills language, giving the reader an insiders look of life in the "hood". He has written a masterpiece of the reversal of the American Dream and the failure of the system to save the children destined to repeat the sins of the parents.
July 20, 2014
I need to note that this book is not for the light at heart or those that are easily offended. If you are looking for a light read with an uplifting end this is NOT the book for you. Leslie’s novel focuses on drug abuse, violence, sex, and money and there is a great deal of foul language. That being said, each subject has a place and serves a purpose in the story being told.
I don’t read the book synopsis prior to actually reading the book so a couple of chapters in I thought I was reading a book about the long-term effects of drug abuse. As I became better acquainted with the storyline I realized that I was being introduced to two young men, Noel and Terrell that grew up in New York and how their lives become intertwined due to life choices and misfortunes.
Although my experience with drugs is limited to stories in the news and television shows, Leslie has created realistic characters that I was able to relate to and empathize with and a storyline that drew me in and had me walking through life, every step of the way, with these two young men. If I’m being completely honest, as I read, I was thankful for the life that I have and that I’ve never been subjected to drugs or violence. That I’ve never had to steal or sell drugs to feed my family or carry a gun to ensure I’ll make it home at the end of the night. I felt as though I was visiting the underbelly of the city world and I couldn’t wait to get back home and rinse off the ick.
Once I got involved in the book I was hooked and was shocked to realize how much I enjoyed the read; it read it in two sittings. The ending is rather twisted and definitely left me wanting for more. Leslie’s novel is an eye-opener thanks to the vivid pictures that he paints showing the inner workings of the hood, the “system”, and how all powerful drugs can be. This is an intense read from start to finish and one that I think many young adults could benefit from.
There were two things about the book that I found rather off putting. First, I believe the book would benefit from going through another round of editing. There are a great many typos throughout the novel and at times it was rather distracting. Second, I don’t like that the end of each chapter is displayed at the beginning of the chapter. For me, this takes away from the storyline and the element of surprise, I don’t like knowing what is going to happen next before it happens.
Overall, this is a fantastic read from a promising upcoming author. It is evident that Leslie put his heart and soul into his novel and this reader believes that it has paid off in the end. I can’t wait to read the second book and find out what happens next. Well done Mr. Leslie!
I don’t read the book synopsis prior to actually reading the book so a couple of chapters in I thought I was reading a book about the long-term effects of drug abuse. As I became better acquainted with the storyline I realized that I was being introduced to two young men, Noel and Terrell that grew up in New York and how their lives become intertwined due to life choices and misfortunes.
Although my experience with drugs is limited to stories in the news and television shows, Leslie has created realistic characters that I was able to relate to and empathize with and a storyline that drew me in and had me walking through life, every step of the way, with these two young men. If I’m being completely honest, as I read, I was thankful for the life that I have and that I’ve never been subjected to drugs or violence. That I’ve never had to steal or sell drugs to feed my family or carry a gun to ensure I’ll make it home at the end of the night. I felt as though I was visiting the underbelly of the city world and I couldn’t wait to get back home and rinse off the ick.
Once I got involved in the book I was hooked and was shocked to realize how much I enjoyed the read; it read it in two sittings. The ending is rather twisted and definitely left me wanting for more. Leslie’s novel is an eye-opener thanks to the vivid pictures that he paints showing the inner workings of the hood, the “system”, and how all powerful drugs can be. This is an intense read from start to finish and one that I think many young adults could benefit from.
There were two things about the book that I found rather off putting. First, I believe the book would benefit from going through another round of editing. There are a great many typos throughout the novel and at times it was rather distracting. Second, I don’t like that the end of each chapter is displayed at the beginning of the chapter. For me, this takes away from the storyline and the element of surprise, I don’t like knowing what is going to happen next before it happens.
Overall, this is a fantastic read from a promising upcoming author. It is evident that Leslie put his heart and soul into his novel and this reader believes that it has paid off in the end. I can’t wait to read the second book and find out what happens next. Well done Mr. Leslie!
July 18, 2014
"Dark and gritty" is the best way to describe this book. While this book is fiction, it's based on actual events. I live in a small town in northern Michigan, so the environment in which Noel and Terrell grow up is quite foreign to me. It's both terrifying and heartbreaking to know that some children really do grow up like these characters do, surrounded by drugs and guns and crime and murder. When my son turned 18, I bought him an iPhone. Terrell's mother gives her son a wallet, $5,000, and a gun. And a hooker.
The chapters alternate narration between Noel and Terrell, and each chapter is headed by a line from later in the chapter designed to draw the reader in and make him/her keep reading. It worked; if I read the heading, I had to keep reading because I was curious about the context of the heading sentence. It would have been helpful if the chapters been headed with the name of the narrating character. If I stopped reading at the end of a chapter and went back to the book later, I couldn't always immediately remember which character it was speaking when I picked the book back up.
The grammar was rough in places, but this is one of those rare cases where I (mostly) didn't mind, because it fit the tone and style of the book. The story is told in a first person POV, so the language of both the narration and the dialogue has an urban slang feel to it. There's also one spot where a character is mentioned as if the reader should already know who she is, and then is introduced later in the chapter, which was a little disconcerting.
That aside, "Blinded Thoughts" is one of those books that stays in your mind long after you've finished reading it. I was really drawn into these young men's lives. Much like real life, the ending isn't wrapped up and tied off with a pretty little bow, and there isn't a "happily ever after." This is not a book for the faint of heart. If it were a movie, it would be rated R. There's swearing, drug use, child abuse, guns, violent crimes up to and including murder, and some sexual situations. This is not an easy book to read, content-wise. (In terms of writing style, however, I flew through it in less than a day). It is, however, a sad and tragic tale of how people's environments affect not just the choices they make (and the consequences of those choices), but also how it shapes the people they grow up to become.
The chapters alternate narration between Noel and Terrell, and each chapter is headed by a line from later in the chapter designed to draw the reader in and make him/her keep reading. It worked; if I read the heading, I had to keep reading because I was curious about the context of the heading sentence. It would have been helpful if the chapters been headed with the name of the narrating character. If I stopped reading at the end of a chapter and went back to the book later, I couldn't always immediately remember which character it was speaking when I picked the book back up.
The grammar was rough in places, but this is one of those rare cases where I (mostly) didn't mind, because it fit the tone and style of the book. The story is told in a first person POV, so the language of both the narration and the dialogue has an urban slang feel to it. There's also one spot where a character is mentioned as if the reader should already know who she is, and then is introduced later in the chapter, which was a little disconcerting.
That aside, "Blinded Thoughts" is one of those books that stays in your mind long after you've finished reading it. I was really drawn into these young men's lives. Much like real life, the ending isn't wrapped up and tied off with a pretty little bow, and there isn't a "happily ever after." This is not a book for the faint of heart. If it were a movie, it would be rated R. There's swearing, drug use, child abuse, guns, violent crimes up to and including murder, and some sexual situations. This is not an easy book to read, content-wise. (In terms of writing style, however, I flew through it in less than a day). It is, however, a sad and tragic tale of how people's environments affect not just the choices they make (and the consequences of those choices), but also how it shapes the people they grow up to become.
July 11, 2014
I've read a few crime fiction books but this has got to be one of the most intense, drama filled books, from start to finish.
There is a ton of violence and vulgar activity throughout the book, so if that sort of thing offends you, then you should probably stay away from this book.
Noel has a screwed up family-most of his closest relatives are abusive junkies. Him and his sister are exposed to all kinds of traumatic events throughout their early childhood. He ends up in a group home with other kids from screwed up homes.
You'd think his life might get a bit better...not really the case...
Terrell also comes from a screwed up family, well, his mother to be more specific. She is definitely not like any mother that I've ever known. They say that the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, though right? Although he ends of living most of his life with his grandmother, he still ends up basically following in his mother's footsteps and then some.
There was so much going on in the book. Very realistic and entertaining.
When I first started reading I thought that it was going to be a book about two completely different stories. I had no idea how they were going to connect. And when they did, wow- I did not know it was going to be like that. Very nice ending.
The only thing that bugged me a bit about the book was the fact that at the beginning of every chapter the ending of that chapter was revealed. :(
I'm one of those people who hates the ending to be given before I've finished reading what is going to happen. I like to be surprised.
Other than that, the book was very good, very good story line, great characters, very sad at parts, very surprising at others, and filled with action.
A drug addiction can make people do things way out of the ordinary. It can destroy lives in so many ways. How sad it is that some people truly let drugs, sex, and money rule their lives... This book conveys this and more.
I would love to read another book by Mark Leslie.
I was given a book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are solely my own.
There is a ton of violence and vulgar activity throughout the book, so if that sort of thing offends you, then you should probably stay away from this book.
Noel has a screwed up family-most of his closest relatives are abusive junkies. Him and his sister are exposed to all kinds of traumatic events throughout their early childhood. He ends up in a group home with other kids from screwed up homes.
You'd think his life might get a bit better...not really the case...
Terrell also comes from a screwed up family, well, his mother to be more specific. She is definitely not like any mother that I've ever known. They say that the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, though right? Although he ends of living most of his life with his grandmother, he still ends up basically following in his mother's footsteps and then some.
There was so much going on in the book. Very realistic and entertaining.
When I first started reading I thought that it was going to be a book about two completely different stories. I had no idea how they were going to connect. And when they did, wow- I did not know it was going to be like that. Very nice ending.
The only thing that bugged me a bit about the book was the fact that at the beginning of every chapter the ending of that chapter was revealed. :(
I'm one of those people who hates the ending to be given before I've finished reading what is going to happen. I like to be surprised.
Other than that, the book was very good, very good story line, great characters, very sad at parts, very surprising at others, and filled with action.
A drug addiction can make people do things way out of the ordinary. It can destroy lives in so many ways. How sad it is that some people truly let drugs, sex, and money rule their lives... This book conveys this and more.
I would love to read another book by Mark Leslie.
I was given a book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are solely my own.
July 6, 2014
When I was young we moved in a home near what they called "The projects" where black people lived. 47th Street was our dividing line as they called it. I always thought when I was little I felt so sorry for them on one hand and on the other hand I was thankful I was white. I remember back then when they were called colored (which I never understood when I was little they weren't colored green, pink or purple), and they had to sit in the back of the bus. They were just like me five fingers on a hand or toes on a foot. This book was about 2 young black men from the Harlem in New York that their lives crossed because of life's mishaps and fight for survival. Stealing, drugs, fighting, murder and acceptance that this is the way of life in the "Hood"! Let me say this isn't the type of book I read normally, but I have to say I did relate to it with my own life. These black children are raised from birth the knowledge for survival on the streets like their parents before them, and their parents before them etc. I will say the book had a slow start, but eventually it finally had me asking questions, and to read further to get those answers. Even some I was amazed at what they had to go through, but I know how the system works, and it doesn't work for the people especially if you're black. The ending had a twist, but all in all I really liked the book. It sort of gives you a slap in the face of reality. Mr. Leslie does definitely have a way with words and a way of making the reader really think for themselves.
May 24, 2014
Let me start off first, by saying that I'd like to thank Mr. Leslie for giving me the opportunity to read this novella.
Secondly, let me tell you that is this NOT the type of books I normally read. It isn't even in the same genera of many of my books. And now let me tell you that I am extremely happy that I read on after the first couple pages. At first I was like, "Oh no, not one of these books!" But I'm so happy that I read on because as each page turned, the more interesting it got. The more I found my self sucked into the story and it's characters. The more I wanted to know how this all came full circle. And in the end, it was all worth it. The first words that came out of my mouth were, "Whoa, that was sooo good!"
Mr. Leslie is a talented story teller and I can only hope he continues to write more captivating stories in the future.
Secondly, let me tell you that is this NOT the type of books I normally read. It isn't even in the same genera of many of my books. And now let me tell you that I am extremely happy that I read on after the first couple pages. At first I was like, "Oh no, not one of these books!" But I'm so happy that I read on because as each page turned, the more interesting it got. The more I found my self sucked into the story and it's characters. The more I wanted to know how this all came full circle. And in the end, it was all worth it. The first words that came out of my mouth were, "Whoa, that was sooo good!"
Mr. Leslie is a talented story teller and I can only hope he continues to write more captivating stories in the future.
July 16, 2014
Enlightening, Surprising and So Very Sad
The story had me at page one and I finished the book in two sittings. Following the author's well-formed characters through their tragic lives was a real eye-opener for me. Seeing the "system" trying so hard to help and yet failing again and again is tragic. The ending was the big surprise and I found myself catching my breath!
Two notable critiques for the author: I'd like to see one more edit pass on the book for typos (there are many) and I would like to see the "R" rated scenes brought down a notch, as I think this is less an "adult" novel than one that speaks to a young adult audience. I think it could be a huge benefit to our youth to read your story!
I would recommend this book to anyone that doesn't have a clue about how drugs rule the 'hood and how insidious and unavoidable they can become. Well done, Mr. Leslie.
The story had me at page one and I finished the book in two sittings. Following the author's well-formed characters through their tragic lives was a real eye-opener for me. Seeing the "system" trying so hard to help and yet failing again and again is tragic. The ending was the big surprise and I found myself catching my breath!
Two notable critiques for the author: I'd like to see one more edit pass on the book for typos (there are many) and I would like to see the "R" rated scenes brought down a notch, as I think this is less an "adult" novel than one that speaks to a young adult audience. I think it could be a huge benefit to our youth to read your story!
I would recommend this book to anyone that doesn't have a clue about how drugs rule the 'hood and how insidious and unavoidable they can become. Well done, Mr. Leslie.
April 19, 2014
this is a really GREAT read...i really enjoyed it, i recommend this to everybody...
April 6, 2014
I rate this book 3 1/2...I went with four stars because the ending had me like wow OK!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews