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GJS II
Inspired by the William Jefferson Clinton White House scandals, a pulpy page-turner of tabloid intrigue.
The steady rise and stunning fall of a wealthy Cincinnati family is brought to life at the height of Monica Lewinsky scandal. Self-made businessman Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a handsome black embodiment of the American dream. A lucrative business alliance with his Clinton cabinet-appointed half-brother easily ensnares in the Republican attack machine. Griffin’s frantic efforts to evade imprisonment and public shame push both him and his family to the brink: his attention-desperate bisexual teen son becomes the unwitting victim of a gay pornography ring; his local celebrity self-absorbed wife plots to use a blackmail scheme to catapult to the national stage.
GJS II twists and spirals, in prose by turns lyrical and coarse with political incorrectness. At times, it's hard to know whom to root for, but the read is always riveting.
Urban. Literary Fiction. Explicit.
The steady rise and stunning fall of a wealthy Cincinnati family is brought to life at the height of Monica Lewinsky scandal. Self-made businessman Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a handsome black embodiment of the American dream. A lucrative business alliance with his Clinton cabinet-appointed half-brother easily ensnares in the Republican attack machine. Griffin’s frantic efforts to evade imprisonment and public shame push both him and his family to the brink: his attention-desperate bisexual teen son becomes the unwitting victim of a gay pornography ring; his local celebrity self-absorbed wife plots to use a blackmail scheme to catapult to the national stage.
GJS II twists and spirals, in prose by turns lyrical and coarse with political incorrectness. At times, it's hard to know whom to root for, but the read is always riveting.
Urban. Literary Fiction. Explicit.
500 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2016
170 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Stewart Ruff
13 books26 followersAward-winning author Shawn Stewart Ruff is author of the novels Days Running (2025), GJS II (2016), Toss and Whirl and Pass (2010), Finlater (2008), and the novella One/10th (2013). He is also editor of the landmark anthology Go the Way Your Blood Beats (1996).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 26, 2016
‘Boy, look at you..ackin’ like you always be riding around in a big fancy car with a chauffeur’
After reading Shawn Stewart Ruff’s first novel FINLATER in 2008 this deeply impressed reader remarked the following; ‘Shawn Stewart Ruff may be a name known to only a few avid readers of short stories, but with the publication of FINLATER this gifted writer is bound to be recognized as a very important voice in American literature. Few writers are able to relate a story from a child's vantage as keenly as Ruff: echoes of such writers as JD Salinger and Colm Toibin and JG Hayes are present in this tender little love story that offers finely honed insights into the impact of racial tensions on the sociologic changes of the 1970s. It is a book that deserves wide critical attention as well as a broad readership.’ A wide acclaim as well as important literary awards became reality. Some years later, in 2013, my admiration grew: ‘That Shawn Stewart Ruff is a gifted writer is a given. His previous books FINLATER and TOSS AND WHIRL AND PASS are some of the stronger books of the last decade. He is an African American author who knows that delicate balance of writing in the language of the street without resorting to the extreme of allowing the language to be the essence of the book. While his other books have dealt with city life and cross sections of cultures, TENTHS moves away from the city into Upstate New York and it is here that Ruff spreads his wings in a much different direction.’
And now blooms GJS II and Shawn has become one of America’s most important authors, unafraid to take on big novels with multilayered topics and this novel comes out in 2016 Black History Month – a finer celebration could not be expected.
Shawn’s concise synopsis pulls us in with a stage hook: ‘In this alluring sideshow in the Clinton Administration drama, self-made Cincinnati entrepreneur Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a man of means: covetable connections, immense wealth, a glamorous TV-celebrity and fashion icon wife and five telegenic children. The sterling qualities that have made this handsome black embodiment of the American dream a Cincinnati mayoral prospect prove his undoing. A lucrative business alliance with his Clinton cabinet-appointed half-brother ensnares the partnership in the Republican attack machine. As the Monica Lewinsky scandal engulfs the White House, the brothers turn on each other, convinced an FBI sting is afoot. Distrust balloons and bursts . . . and the fallout sweeps Griffin's family into the maelstrom in this thrilling pulp-fiction page-turner of tabloid intrigue, high-fashion passion, murder, sex, pornography, tragic deaths, blackmail, and dramatic TV interviews’ It is all here and it begs to made into a film. Hats off to a contemporary genius.
After reading Shawn Stewart Ruff’s first novel FINLATER in 2008 this deeply impressed reader remarked the following; ‘Shawn Stewart Ruff may be a name known to only a few avid readers of short stories, but with the publication of FINLATER this gifted writer is bound to be recognized as a very important voice in American literature. Few writers are able to relate a story from a child's vantage as keenly as Ruff: echoes of such writers as JD Salinger and Colm Toibin and JG Hayes are present in this tender little love story that offers finely honed insights into the impact of racial tensions on the sociologic changes of the 1970s. It is a book that deserves wide critical attention as well as a broad readership.’ A wide acclaim as well as important literary awards became reality. Some years later, in 2013, my admiration grew: ‘That Shawn Stewart Ruff is a gifted writer is a given. His previous books FINLATER and TOSS AND WHIRL AND PASS are some of the stronger books of the last decade. He is an African American author who knows that delicate balance of writing in the language of the street without resorting to the extreme of allowing the language to be the essence of the book. While his other books have dealt with city life and cross sections of cultures, TENTHS moves away from the city into Upstate New York and it is here that Ruff spreads his wings in a much different direction.’
And now blooms GJS II and Shawn has become one of America’s most important authors, unafraid to take on big novels with multilayered topics and this novel comes out in 2016 Black History Month – a finer celebration could not be expected.
Shawn’s concise synopsis pulls us in with a stage hook: ‘In this alluring sideshow in the Clinton Administration drama, self-made Cincinnati entrepreneur Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a man of means: covetable connections, immense wealth, a glamorous TV-celebrity and fashion icon wife and five telegenic children. The sterling qualities that have made this handsome black embodiment of the American dream a Cincinnati mayoral prospect prove his undoing. A lucrative business alliance with his Clinton cabinet-appointed half-brother ensnares the partnership in the Republican attack machine. As the Monica Lewinsky scandal engulfs the White House, the brothers turn on each other, convinced an FBI sting is afoot. Distrust balloons and bursts . . . and the fallout sweeps Griffin's family into the maelstrom in this thrilling pulp-fiction page-turner of tabloid intrigue, high-fashion passion, murder, sex, pornography, tragic deaths, blackmail, and dramatic TV interviews’ It is all here and it begs to made into a film. Hats off to a contemporary genius.
February 18, 2016
Ruff, Shawn Stewart. “GJS II”, Quote Editions, Incorporated, 2016.
High Drama
Amos Lassen
I remember thinking that Shawn Stewart Ruff was an author to be reckoned with as I read his first novel, “Finlater”, the story of two young friends, Cliffy, a black youngster and Noah, a Jewish youngster. The writing was so sincere and so beautiful I wondered then how we would top that fiction debut. It took eight years for Ruff to do so and believe he has bettered himself.
“GJS II” is high drama that has a little something for everyone and perhaps one of the most difficult books I have ever reviewed. It has a pulp fiction quality to it especially when we have a bit of sex, a bit of porn, tragic deaths, blackmail— in other words something for everyone.
Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a self-made man of means. He has a tremendous amount of money, wonderful and valuable connections, he is television celebrity whose wife is a fashion statement and icon and who has blessed with five great kids. He is, quite simply, the American dream personified. GJS had been an athlete and how is involved with cable television. He also has political aspirations to become the mayor of Cincinnati. His brother is an appointee in the Clinton administration and a known politician.
The two brothers use federal poverty programs in order to get distressed real estate in the city and at the same time, they are selling influence and political access in Washington so as to secure communications technology contracts. Of course this is conflict and it stems from something going on between a rebellious teen son, a father and a stepmother causing what was once considered a great marriage to fall apart. This also causes the business to begin to fall apart at first and the reason seems to be the teen son who has his own problems. But the father also plays a part with his greediness and the stress caused by the fear of being discovered.
It is as if three smaller books or novellas come together to make the whole book. Each of these is concerned with a main character—the first is the sixteen-year-old son, the second is the father and the third is the mother. As to what is going to happen, I leave you on your own to find out by reading the book.
As for the storyline, I have already said too much but you can guess that something is going to destroy this hope of living the American dream. Because the story begins in the middle when we start to read, Ruff had to use flashbacks to keep us up to date on what was happening.
This is the story of a nouveau riche Black family and the mistakes that the members make. This is one of the books that actually pulls the reader into almost a stream of consciousness and instead of telling us everything forces us to flow with the story and our imaginations as to what happens. There is vulgarity, and there is promiscuity but we must remember that there are present in our every day lives. The prose is gorgeous!!
Those of you who know me are well aware how much I try to put something of myself into the reviews I write but this one does not want to let me because if I do I will spoil a wonderful read for someone else. Just listen to me and go and get a copy. One more thing—Ruff’s books are beautifully designed and pleasures to hold. The cover of this book is just beautiful in its simplicity.
High Drama
Amos Lassen
I remember thinking that Shawn Stewart Ruff was an author to be reckoned with as I read his first novel, “Finlater”, the story of two young friends, Cliffy, a black youngster and Noah, a Jewish youngster. The writing was so sincere and so beautiful I wondered then how we would top that fiction debut. It took eight years for Ruff to do so and believe he has bettered himself.
“GJS II” is high drama that has a little something for everyone and perhaps one of the most difficult books I have ever reviewed. It has a pulp fiction quality to it especially when we have a bit of sex, a bit of porn, tragic deaths, blackmail— in other words something for everyone.
Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a self-made man of means. He has a tremendous amount of money, wonderful and valuable connections, he is television celebrity whose wife is a fashion statement and icon and who has blessed with five great kids. He is, quite simply, the American dream personified. GJS had been an athlete and how is involved with cable television. He also has political aspirations to become the mayor of Cincinnati. His brother is an appointee in the Clinton administration and a known politician.
The two brothers use federal poverty programs in order to get distressed real estate in the city and at the same time, they are selling influence and political access in Washington so as to secure communications technology contracts. Of course this is conflict and it stems from something going on between a rebellious teen son, a father and a stepmother causing what was once considered a great marriage to fall apart. This also causes the business to begin to fall apart at first and the reason seems to be the teen son who has his own problems. But the father also plays a part with his greediness and the stress caused by the fear of being discovered.
It is as if three smaller books or novellas come together to make the whole book. Each of these is concerned with a main character—the first is the sixteen-year-old son, the second is the father and the third is the mother. As to what is going to happen, I leave you on your own to find out by reading the book.
As for the storyline, I have already said too much but you can guess that something is going to destroy this hope of living the American dream. Because the story begins in the middle when we start to read, Ruff had to use flashbacks to keep us up to date on what was happening.
This is the story of a nouveau riche Black family and the mistakes that the members make. This is one of the books that actually pulls the reader into almost a stream of consciousness and instead of telling us everything forces us to flow with the story and our imaginations as to what happens. There is vulgarity, and there is promiscuity but we must remember that there are present in our every day lives. The prose is gorgeous!!
Those of you who know me are well aware how much I try to put something of myself into the reviews I write but this one does not want to let me because if I do I will spoil a wonderful read for someone else. Just listen to me and go and get a copy. One more thing—Ruff’s books are beautifully designed and pleasures to hold. The cover of this book is just beautiful in its simplicity.
February 5, 2016
This is the story of a blended, upscale black family that has succeeded on the merits of their brains and drive. The mom is a former model and TV personality and the dad a former athlete and current cable TV mogul with Cincinnati political aspirations. His brother is a Democratic big wig and Clinton cabinet appointee. The brothers are using federal poverty programs to acquire distressed real estate in the city and are selling influence and political access in DC to secure massive communications technology contracts. The central conflict originates between the stepmom, the rebellious teen boy and the father, continually absent on business. The couple's previously great marriage gradually begins to dissolve under the multifaceted strain. Their family and business success unravels at first because of dad's very troubled teenage son but is then compounded by their consistent greed and the stress that their dealings will be exposed.
The book unfolds like three sequential but integrated novellas. The first concentrates on the teen, the second on the dad and the third on the supermodel mom. As the events unfolded, I suspected it was modeled on a three part Greek tragedy, but not everyone is destroyed in the end and the reader is allowed some degree of resolution/catharsis. The character development, particularly for the mom and dad is reasonably good. I felt the boy was a bit too stereotypically ghetto in attitude, action and aspiration given his privileged position. It is hard to believe someone, even a sixteen year old, could make so many sequential mistakes in judgement. The story line is reasonable and readable but I thought the ending was too abrupt; without sufficient detail or explanation. Also, the author uses frequent flashbacks to fill out much of the character development often without distinct transitions in and out of these diversions. Frequently I had to backtrack to determine past, present and where the story-line resumed. Sometimes within dialogue sequences, I found it difficult to easily follow who was speaking. Overall it was an enjoyable read that kept me interested. I thought the opulence (clothes, cars etc) for show, the promiscuity and ever present vulgarity were too stereotypical of the nouveau riche and distracted from important character conflicts. Though I enjoyed the story, I would clearly not recommend this for younger readers.
The book unfolds like three sequential but integrated novellas. The first concentrates on the teen, the second on the dad and the third on the supermodel mom. As the events unfolded, I suspected it was modeled on a three part Greek tragedy, but not everyone is destroyed in the end and the reader is allowed some degree of resolution/catharsis. The character development, particularly for the mom and dad is reasonably good. I felt the boy was a bit too stereotypically ghetto in attitude, action and aspiration given his privileged position. It is hard to believe someone, even a sixteen year old, could make so many sequential mistakes in judgement. The story line is reasonable and readable but I thought the ending was too abrupt; without sufficient detail or explanation. Also, the author uses frequent flashbacks to fill out much of the character development often without distinct transitions in and out of these diversions. Frequently I had to backtrack to determine past, present and where the story-line resumed. Sometimes within dialogue sequences, I found it difficult to easily follow who was speaking. Overall it was an enjoyable read that kept me interested. I thought the opulence (clothes, cars etc) for show, the promiscuity and ever present vulgarity were too stereotypical of the nouveau riche and distracted from important character conflicts. Though I enjoyed the story, I would clearly not recommend this for younger readers.
February 21, 2016
It isn't often that I read a book and discover so quickly that it isn't going to be a book I'm entertained by. Based on the description, which follows, I thought it would be different than what was delivered. That isn't necessarily the fault of the author as much as it is in my expectations based on reading the book's synopsis.
The book is described as:
Self-made Griffin Jewells Saunders II is a man of means: covetable connections, immense wealth, a glamorous TV-celebrity and fashion icon wife and five telegenic children. The sterling qualities that have made this handsome black embodiment of the American dream a Cincinnati mayoral prospect prove his undoing. A lucrative business alliance with his Clinton cabinet-appointed half-brother ensnares the partnership in the Republican attack machine. As the Monica Lewinsky scandal engulfs the White House, the brothers turn on each other, convinced an FBI sting is afoot. Distrust balloons and bursts...and the fallout sweeps Griffin's family into the maelstrom in this thrilling page-turner of political intrigue, fashion misdemeanors and murder.
I wanted to like GJS II, but ultimately it came across as an Empire wannabe with political connections and a love for fashion at its center instead of the music industry. What makes it worse is that on Empire, at least, the Lyons family may be fighting with each other but at the end of the day they also take up for each other. I didn't get that feeling with GJS II at all. Of course, that may have been Ruff's intent all along. If so, that makes it all the sadder.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Quote Editions, Inc. (through NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
March 9, 2016
Mr. Ruff,
I started to read your book but unfortunately have not had time to finish. I'll send it on to the next person. I think you might have poured your heart into this one and there are people out there who need this message. Good luck.
I started to read your book but unfortunately have not had time to finish. I'll send it on to the next person. I think you might have poured your heart into this one and there are people out there who need this message. Good luck.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews