Not All Dogs

by C. Kelly Robinson

"Not All Dogs" is African-American commercial fiction, a novel in the style of "Waiting To Exhale" by Terry McMillan but featuring male lead characters. The story follows the attempt of four college seniors to save a struggling children's community center while fighting their own battles with manhood. "Not All Dogs" combines suspense, romance, and humor with an uplifting message that African-American and mainstream readers are responding to.

349 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 1999

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I was pleasantly surprised by this book..I had no idea what to expect as it was titled Not All Dogs on the cover but had to find it online as Between Brothers--nevertheless I went in with no expectations but was rewarded with an intelligent, thought provoking look at the black community through the eyes of four black men in a fictionalized HBCU called Highland University..I identified immediately with this book as I am a proud HBCU graduate and live for the lessons and love gained from my community in my four years there and also this novel was set in Washington DC where I currently work and have for the last eight years and the descriptions, locations and feel of the gritty streets are really on point. I liked the depth to this intimate peek at street life so close to a campus dedicated to inspiring youth to get past the street temptation..In the novel you meet Terence (ambitious and hardworking but struggling to rid his own ties to the street life he came from), O.J. (a hypocritical wannabe preacher living wrong trying to find himself), Brandon (a deeply religious self imposed virgin looking for his own strong black woman) and Larry (rich, handsome and stuck in the mindset of stereotypical status symbols and physical requirements) all tied together to save a failing Community Center they all volunteer at to help the young people away from the beckoning life of crime and into positivity..The book addresses topics from finance, politics, religion, issues in black communities like self hate, premarital sex, prejudices, money and every other thing hindering a race to not work within themselves and together to advance. I appreciated what I learned and what this book gives you as it made me question myself and actually feel something for each of them..I am not sure if this book actually dispelled any myths or rumors but it did bring them to light for discussion and for that I do recommend this to all..I take issue only with the way it was written as it is a dense read with many pages and lots of small words on the page that makes it a task to read but definitely a book to savor..I have to take a star away because I felt the end was rushed and I would have loved a epilogue on the fellas we grew to know and love but overall this was a read I was pleased to stumble upon, a rare book that educates and entertains on the complexities of being a positive Black in this day and age, the book was written in the nineties so its a little dated but the message is clear and resounds--As a people we have to do better at giving back, uplifting our youth and cease all efforts to separate us from the bigger picture..The glimpse at the different religions was also done beautifully and exposed so much of behind the scenes in community involvement and activity..Insightful intriguing and emotional..very good read and an author I will definitely check for more from..:)