Cry Me a River

by Ernest Hill

Ernest Hill has always been a writer of great power and psychological depth, creating characters that resonate brilliantly beyond the boundaries of gender and race. "Cry Me A River" is a remarkable book. It runs deep and it runs fast. --Robert Olen Butler, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain" An absentee father from a "no good" family, Tyrone Stokes was imprisoned for shooting a man in a convenience store. His wife saw her chance to end their marriage and raise their son, Marcus, on her own. Now Tyrone has returned to Brownsville, Louisiana, to discover that his boy needs help--help that Tyrone is desperate to give, if he can only figure out how.

Marcus has been convicted of the rape and murder of a young white girl. An execution date is set, and it's rumored that the Governor will refuse clemency. Tyrone is convinced Marcus is innocent, despite a stack of evidence against him--but he is also wracked by knowledge of all the ways he has failed his son. Against all odds, Tyrone sets out to keep Marcus alive--and perhaps put his family back together again.

"Hill is a skilled storyteller." --"New York Times Book Review"

"I couldn't put it down. . .Would fit well on the shelf with the works of Richard Wright and Chester Himes." --Ernest J. Gaines, bestselling author of "A Lesson Before Dying"

ebook

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Ernest Hill won great praise for his first novel, Satisfied with Nothin’, which made its way onto required reading lists at universities from UCLA to Syracuse. He is also the author of A Person of Interest, Cry Me a River, A Life for a Life, and Family Ties. Hill lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Kiki Divyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautifully done. It is a change from the regular trashy stereotypical black novel.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry Me A River by Ernest Hill gives another view of the Criminal Justice System. There is the chance to think about families who are involved with the need for justice immediately. Cry Me A River allows us to empathize for all who are facing a no win situation.

It is an emotional book. Mothers cry many tears. Fathers cry many tears, wives cry many tears. Whether you committed the crime or whether you are one of the family members who have suffered the loss of a loved one for no good reason, Ernest Hill's book will in some way lighten your burden. It is a catharsis.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good book….it was suspenseful and kept me reading. The only thing I found a bit off was the dialogue between the characters was way too often. I felt the information could have just been written or from the perspective of the main character. Good read though

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another McKay’s find, 75¢. So happy I saw it. I finished this book in one sitting. It was a bittersweet story, and watching each of the characters develop in the way they did made it very interesting.

[Bless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved how Tyrone fought for his son till the very end, I wish that his parole officer had mercy on him. Very good book to read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this compelling story about a father wanting to exonerate his son. I certainly did "cry a river" throughout chapter 31...

[Mackenzie Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from the same region of Louisiana as Ernest Hill, I felt a deep connection to this story. Cry Me a River is a powerful, emotional tale of redemption and family.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book a 4 because it kept me on the edge of my seat. I figured out the killer early on in the book but I kept reading to see how the author would tie it all together. I had a love/ hate relationship with Tyrone. I loved him for fighting for his son but I hated him because of his past. He redeemed himself and hopefully they will live happy ever after. This book was a really good read that touched on the inconsistencies of the justice system that are still present today. I don’t see how the attorney got away with such piss poor representation but I did take in to account the setting.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I was worried that it might be full of bad language and sketchy things, but it really wasn't! It's a good story of a father who tries to redeem himself when he discovers his son is in prison and on death-row. It kept you guessing as to "who-dunnit" the entire time...but with a deep sense of satisfaction and justice when they finally figure it out!

[Kei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and the message of undying love that one has for their child. It just proves how most would go through hell to protect their offspring. I cried a couple of times throughout the book because of the displayed emotions by the characters. I will definitely look for more of the author's work, as I like his style of writing.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The story was good, but for some reason it did not flow as well as I thought it could have. Not a bad book would have been a good book had it had a better flow to it.

[Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am somewhat impress about the father trying to free his son of a crime he didn't commit. Good book.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love Ernest Hill's writing!!! I love this book and I love his messages throughout the book! (never give up or give in)

[Jason Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sad tale but a really good read.

[Frederick Bingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not get interested in this book.