What do you think?
Rate this book
Midnight #1
Midnight: A Gangster Love Story
The Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Souljah introduced the world to Midnight, a brave but humble lieutenant to a prominent underworld businessman. Now, in a highly anticipated follow-up to her million-selling masterpiece, she brings readers into the life and dangerously close to the heart of this silent, fearless young man. Raised in a wealthy, influential, Islamic African family, Midnight enjoys a life of comfort, confidence, and protection. Midnight's father provides him with a veil of privilege and deep, devoted love, but he never hides the truth about the fierce challenges of the world outside of his estate. So when Midnight's father's empire is attacked, he sends Midnight with his mother to the United States. In the streets of Brooklyn, a young Midnight uses his Islamic mind-set and African intelligence to protect the ones he loves, build a business, reclaim his wealth and status, and remain true to his beliefs. Midnight, a handsome and passionate young man, attracts many women. How he interacts and deals with them is a unique adventure. This is a highly sensual and tremendous love story about what a man is willing to risk and give to the women he loves most. Midnight will remain in your mind and beat in your heart for a lifetime. Her "raw and true voice" (Publishers Weekly) will both soothe and arouse you. In a beautifully written and masterfully woven story, Sister Souljah has given us Midnight, and solidified her presence as the mother of all contemporary urban literature
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
1114 people are currently reading
8445 people want to read
About the author
Sister Souljah
14 books2,895 followersSister Souljah (born Lisa Williamson) was born in 1964 in New York City. She attended Cornell University's advanced placement summer program and Spain's University of Salamanca study-abroad program. She later majored in American history and African studies at Rutgers University. Her travels and lectures have taken her all over America, Europe, and Africa. In the mid-1980s, she founded, in cooperation with the United Church of Christ, the African Youth Survival Camp, located in Enfield, North Carolina, for children of homeless families. In 1992, her rap album, 360 Degrees of Power, and video, "Slavery's Back in Effect," catapulted her to national attention. She lives in New York with her husband and son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 654 reviews
June 22, 2015
Wavered really hard on how to rate this book, what I wanted to say and how I felt about it..I must say I found myself reading it but not really enjoying it--Honestly I found myself annoyed and appalled at the stereotypes, the cultural and religious bias, the arrogance and unbelivable aspect of the main character: the oh so worldly and mature "Midnight" and the lack of positive African Americans throughout the entire novel..I too claim roots in New York, not Brooklyn but close enough to major activity to know that there are success stories not statistics coming out of these places but you would never know that from this book..It is embarrassing and disgusting-- the portrayal of Americans and blacks in general in this book is outrageous and false..ugh..okay so let me digress and get into the plot..young Midnight and his incomparable mother (believe me I say that because every description of her is designed to enforce her superiority over every woman not born in Sudan) are relocated for some vague reason to America to start their life there. While in America, a land where they are able to start their own business, find jobs, housing and gradual acceptance they constantly criticize and berate every person on their block and in the country.. They save and scrimp and are even able to buy a home but still have nothing but complaints and insults to how life is in America and how things are done. So Midnight is some kind of super boy and at the age of seven finds housing, a job for him and his mother and everything, oh by the way he is also a ninja in training and incredible at basketball LOL..Okay so seven years pass, a sister is born and while Midnight is still running around dodging all the girls because oh yeah he is also incredibly handsome, smart and cut.. he catches the eye of a Japanese girl Akemi by his job and after a mere two weeks or so and despite not being able to understand a word she says they fall in love..I didnt mind this aspect of the book so much until like every other thing in his life he gives scathing comparisons and heavily prejudiced views that make you hate Akemi, his mother Umma and definitely him..I did also find it was very laughable and farfetched to believe that at fourteen he could feel he was ready to commit to marriage but apparently he is just that mature. I recognize he was born in another land with different views, beliefs and morals and I find that beautiful and would have been impressed with its power.. and I would have loved it if there were equal portrayals of Americans as well, we are not all the same and the only black girls in the book are promiscuous, teenage moms, and all around trashy..with the exception of the lawyer there was no positivity at all..I was disappointed..I found the descriptions of the Muslim religion very powerful and inspirational however there was just too many comparisons and negative blatant inconsistencies I just couldnt get with...for example how can he talk of the Brooklyn guys as if they were nothing yet he changes his whole style to be like them....how can he criticize how they kill each other when he killed two men...how can he judge EVERYTHING at the tender age of fourteen, seriously it was way too unbelievable..I didnt get the ending and honestly unless they look at his life at twenty-five I have no interest in the outcome it was too silly to take seriously and I was pretty let down..
April 9, 2017
The Best!!! a young protagonist who had ambitious and provocative ways that had to learn how to survive in the projects with his family..well written...recommend to all (paperback!)
December 30, 2008
I spent most of Midnight: A Gangster Love Story like, really? This character didn’t seem to do the things the Midnight character in Winter did. I kept waiting for things to go awry like in the other book, but there’s a huge gap in the stories. There’s no real drama; we need quasi-happy endings once in a while. I suppose there’s more intrigue that way, but both books read like commercials with all of the details about the material things. I wanted to get to the end so I’d know how the stories matched but they never did. The other “really” came from the fact that a 14 year old kid behaves so manlike. I just didn’t buy it. I know the argument was because he wasn’t an American, but Midnight was a tough character to swallow whole. Plus, the pictures ruined everything. I wanted to imagine him in my head not see Souljah’s printed version. That kid on the cover looks nothing like either character I imagined when reading either book. The third “really” is Souljah’s self-righteousness. She can’t help herself from preaching. She talked so badly about African Americans and black women that I had to cringe. Did she become born a Muslim one day and I forgot to read about it on allhiphop.com? I was not comfortable with the way her characters privileged almost every other woman of color over black women. It was tough. Plus she argued that black women abort their babies and black men battle over territory that isn’t theirs as if that’s all we do. Americans are stupid and confused but African Muslims have all the answers. BTW I wondered why Souljah chose the Sudan as her backdrop and said nothing about its current state? Besides the lawyer, there isn’t one redeeming black female character in the whole story. Her main character loves his women but treats them as precious objects that he has to protect. They don’t get to protect themselves. They rarely get to speak and hell, he and the love of his life don’t even speak the same language other than sex which conveniently solves everything. The women are very childlike in the story. Not that I don’t act and want to be childlike sometimes but I’m saying the baby women obsession got to be played out after a while. It’s cool that Midnight’s women are creative and business minded even if they are dependent on him and the morals about purity and discipline and attention are good, but all in all, I think the scales tip on the self righteous side especially without a larger picture of postindustrial conditions and gender politics. There’s very little that challenges Souljah’s characters that’s outside of their control. The book is actually quite Larry Elder-like with the exception of her celebration of illegal and murderous activities to protect oneself and ones women. It’s an odd contradiction inherent to the hip hop generation and its products but I would have hoped that a woman like Souljah would have explained the larger more tenuous situation a bit more sophisticatedly than saying Americans have no discipline and morals.
February 10, 2009
Sister Souljah is a talented writer and the idea of writing a novel based on a character (Midnight)from her best-seller The Coldest Winter Ever sounds like a great idea. However, there are a few things that prevent this novel from being great. One thing is that it's just too long. There are lots of really great books that are hundreds and hundreds of pages long, but what makes this book different is that the ending is incredibly unsatisfying. A book of this length should take readers right up to the beginning of Midnight's emergence in The Coldest Winter Ever or at least leave the readers off on a point where they feel satisfied about where life is generally headed for this character. The cliffhanger ending is disappointing and leaves the reader wanting back the time and money invested in the book.
Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of the book is looking at Black America through the eyes of an African Muslim. There's definitely some valid criticism of the Black community in this novel, but it's a bit extreme. There's not one Black American woman who is even remotely sane. But then again, coming from the perspective of an adolescent boy, that just might appear to be the case.
The writing was good, but this could have been a much more concise story with a much better ending.
Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of the book is looking at Black America through the eyes of an African Muslim. There's definitely some valid criticism of the Black community in this novel, but it's a bit extreme. There's not one Black American woman who is even remotely sane. But then again, coming from the perspective of an adolescent boy, that just might appear to be the case.
The writing was good, but this could have been a much more concise story with a much better ending.
July 4, 2022
The author wants you to believe:
A) All American-born Black women are amoral, undignified, greedy, and insolent. Furthermore, they are whores, crazy, and/or both. Mostly both.
B) Americans in general are a bunch of ignorant fools.
C) A fourteen year-old boy can spot an ostrich-skin bag and pumps at ten feet, plus ID the retailer of said items. And, um, do a bunch of other stuff not fourteen-ish.
D) Patriarchy or bust.
I hate to quit on a book, but Souljah's self-righteous muse is making me find excuses not to read.
* Note: I finished, only to find myself set up for an obvious sequel that I won't read. I wouldn't one-star this book because there was interesting social commentary, beautiful and loving descriptions of religious faith, and Midnight is still compelling. It was not enough. I do admit I'm glad I didn't quit it.
A) All American-born Black women are amoral, undignified, greedy, and insolent. Furthermore, they are whores, crazy, and/or both. Mostly both.
B) Americans in general are a bunch of ignorant fools.
C) A fourteen year-old boy can spot an ostrich-skin bag and pumps at ten feet, plus ID the retailer of said items. And, um, do a bunch of other stuff not fourteen-ish.
D) Patriarchy or bust.
I hate to quit on a book, but Souljah's self-righteous muse is making me find excuses not to read.
* Note: I finished, only to find myself set up for an obvious sequel that I won't read. I wouldn't one-star this book because there was interesting social commentary, beautiful and loving descriptions of religious faith, and Midnight is still compelling. It was not enough. I do admit I'm glad I didn't quit it.
April 12, 2011
This was a daring attempt from Sister Souljah, but it worked in my eyes. How she tapped into the psyche of a young man from another country making his way in America(NY) I find remarkable. This isn't your typical urban fiction; I must say it is a cut above. This tale was well researched putting authenticity at a high. The con of this novel is that at some points it bordered on 3 and 4 stars...Edging on, towards the last 10-15 percent, it earned it's 5th star. I've had this novel since it original release and have started and stopped quite a few times. This isn't a book I would recommend for those who want exhiliration, heavy sex, or a raw taste of the streets. Just as Midnight is, the gangsta of this novel is very well disciplined. And now on to the next one(Midnight and the Meaning of Love)
February 7, 2013
Know that feeling when a book is so good that you take your time, savoring its contents and digesting the many messages woven in its pages? Remember that feeling of satisfying a midnight craving, feeling satiated and sane(in my case)? That is exactly what I felt with this book. Midnight:A Gangster Love Story seems like the book I've been waiting to read all my life.
Midnight is a young Sudanese immigrant in the United States. He moved to New York with his pregnant mother at the age of 7. The author takes us on a journey into 7 years of their lives in the US. Eventually, his sister is born and our protagonist takes up huge responsibilities. The author gives a brief look into their lives in Sudan, highlighting their affluent background. I felt drawn to Midnight and his mother Umma, for two main reasons: they were African and Muslim. The proximity did well for my connection to the plot, as there was a common ground and I could relate to most of the developments. I was fascinated, however, by how much responsibility the author had placed on 7 year old Midnight, who quickly devised various means of survival in the 'ghettos' of Brooklyn, after checking out of their hotel. He put his mother's talents to use and this, coupled with the two jobs they both found, became a source of income for their small family.
The author tells a story that draws away from the usual stereotypes of young immigrants getting so used to the American lifestyle, that they throw away their beliefs and values. They are depicted as being vulnerable to peer pressure and their new environments. While giving a healthy dose of scenes in the 'ghetto'- gangs, guns, girls, baby-daddies/mamas, murder, strip clubs, fresh kicks, shiny cars and shady business- the author focuses on Midnight's strength in the face of all these temptations. The contrast does well for the plot, as the reader is led to wonder how a 7-year old boy refused to cave in to the 'easy life', despite threats he faced at his arrival. This left me concluding that Midnight is probably my favourite fictional character(I'm sorry Mr Potter), closely followed by his mother(I'm sorry Miss Granger), who represented the true African woman in beauty, wisdom, purity and modesty among other things.
By the end of the book, one would realise that it was not just written for pleasure reading. I have never read a cover that provided as many 'quotables' as this one did. Sistah Souljah weaves in messages of tolerance, responsibility, faith, love, respect, tenacity, chastity etc while putting into perspective various social ills, the most touching being sexual molestation in the family setting. Religious references, business tactics, love, marriage and sex bond to create the wonderful tapestry that is Midnight's life. My respect for him hit the skies with a huge decision he took at age 14(avoiding spoilers here).
Of the numerous lessons to learn from this excellent production, a few stuck with me and have managed to mark me greatly. I was strongly convinced that one is never too young to start doing great things; that age does not determine maturity; that I can achieve my goals if only I give them the time and dedication they require; that I can stay true to myself no matter what environment or circumstances I found myself in; and finally, that love conquers all barriers when it is pure and true.
I hope to get a hard copy of the book so my children will have a chance to benefit from the lessons in it, while enjoying the story in general. This is certainly one book that'll stay with me forever; one that I strongly recommend to everyone. The beautiful thing about it all is the voice in which the narration was done... quite different from the usually well-manicured sentences and paragraphs. The diction matched the protagonist and setting of the story, drawing the reader to the characters and creating a connection that lasts till the end. I loved it and I'm in a hurry to start the second book: The Coldest Winter Ever.
Finally, this deserved 5 stars and that's exactly what it got! I truly fell in love with this love story!
Midnight is a young Sudanese immigrant in the United States. He moved to New York with his pregnant mother at the age of 7. The author takes us on a journey into 7 years of their lives in the US. Eventually, his sister is born and our protagonist takes up huge responsibilities. The author gives a brief look into their lives in Sudan, highlighting their affluent background. I felt drawn to Midnight and his mother Umma, for two main reasons: they were African and Muslim. The proximity did well for my connection to the plot, as there was a common ground and I could relate to most of the developments. I was fascinated, however, by how much responsibility the author had placed on 7 year old Midnight, who quickly devised various means of survival in the 'ghettos' of Brooklyn, after checking out of their hotel. He put his mother's talents to use and this, coupled with the two jobs they both found, became a source of income for their small family.
The author tells a story that draws away from the usual stereotypes of young immigrants getting so used to the American lifestyle, that they throw away their beliefs and values. They are depicted as being vulnerable to peer pressure and their new environments. While giving a healthy dose of scenes in the 'ghetto'- gangs, guns, girls, baby-daddies/mamas, murder, strip clubs, fresh kicks, shiny cars and shady business- the author focuses on Midnight's strength in the face of all these temptations. The contrast does well for the plot, as the reader is led to wonder how a 7-year old boy refused to cave in to the 'easy life', despite threats he faced at his arrival. This left me concluding that Midnight is probably my favourite fictional character(I'm sorry Mr Potter), closely followed by his mother(I'm sorry Miss Granger), who represented the true African woman in beauty, wisdom, purity and modesty among other things.
By the end of the book, one would realise that it was not just written for pleasure reading. I have never read a cover that provided as many 'quotables' as this one did. Sistah Souljah weaves in messages of tolerance, responsibility, faith, love, respect, tenacity, chastity etc while putting into perspective various social ills, the most touching being sexual molestation in the family setting. Religious references, business tactics, love, marriage and sex bond to create the wonderful tapestry that is Midnight's life. My respect for him hit the skies with a huge decision he took at age 14(avoiding spoilers here).
Of the numerous lessons to learn from this excellent production, a few stuck with me and have managed to mark me greatly. I was strongly convinced that one is never too young to start doing great things; that age does not determine maturity; that I can achieve my goals if only I give them the time and dedication they require; that I can stay true to myself no matter what environment or circumstances I found myself in; and finally, that love conquers all barriers when it is pure and true.
I hope to get a hard copy of the book so my children will have a chance to benefit from the lessons in it, while enjoying the story in general. This is certainly one book that'll stay with me forever; one that I strongly recommend to everyone. The beautiful thing about it all is the voice in which the narration was done... quite different from the usually well-manicured sentences and paragraphs. The diction matched the protagonist and setting of the story, drawing the reader to the characters and creating a connection that lasts till the end. I loved it and I'm in a hurry to start the second book: The Coldest Winter Ever.
Finally, this deserved 5 stars and that's exactly what it got! I truly fell in love with this love story!
January 29, 2016
Midnight’s father was a wealthy and powerful Sudanese landowner who had many servants, a compound so big he needed an extra building just for his guns, diamonds, oil and gold reserves, a master’s degree and a PhD. He was a music lover and trumpet player, spoke seven languages, and possessed all the power and wisdom and diplomatic prestige one could imagine. For reasons unknown, he sent Midnight at the age of seven, together with his mother Uma and his little sister, to live in the projects in Brooklyn.
Uma obeys because it is a woman’s place to obey, and not to question. So when Midnight amazingly beats up all the local hooligans who attack him one after another, his mother tends to his wounds but knows it is not her place to ask even a seven-year-old man any questions about how this happened. He escorts his mother to work and back every day on the subway, then returns home where he home schools himself.
He also becomes a martial arts student at a classy dojo (not the cheesy kind with the windows fronting the street, we are told) and becomes the star pupil, the only one chosen for weapons training. He plays basketball with some friends and, while trying out for a more formal league, shows he is the best player by sinking 19 three-point shots in a row. He gets a job at a Chinese fish market. Guess what? His boss loves him. He spends a lot of time reading in a bookstore and beating the owner at chess. The bookstore owner greatly admires him.
He intrudes on an art class and is immediately mistaken by the teacher for a model because of his fantastic face and body. He wears a lot of name-brand clothing.
At home at night, Uma starts making perfume that is so magical and popular that Midnight spends hours going all over the city gathering ingredients and taking orders. Then she starts making dresses and the money starts coming in so fast they can hardly keep track of it.
Eventually he reaches the age of fourteen and realizes it is time for him to get married. Unfortunately, every single one of the girls his age in Brooklyn is a whore. Not to worry. He finds the perfect mate. Actually, she finds him, stalking him for weeks while he works at the fish market, mesmerized by his beauty. She is a sixteen-year-old Japanese girl who happens to be a world renowned artist and the daughter of the wealthiest industrialist in Japan. She wears name-brand clothes in incredibly original and artsy ways. Best of all, she speaks not a word of English.
Long after they are formally and legally married, they consummate their love in the shower stall in the locker room under the fish market. They both have amazing genitals. They still can’t speak to each other. She appears to be totally submissive to him. It is the perfect marriage.
He buys a house for them and his mother and sister. They never hear again from his father. Nor is there any word of what happened to his father’s other two wives.
Oh yeah, and he murders a guy for no ascertainable reason.
This appears to be a fantasy book for seven-year-olds who like to dream about having superpowers but in real life are insecure and terrified of women. The one note – Midnight’s superpowers – is played over and over until it gets really boring. The need (and desire) of all females to be subordinated to him is mentioned or referred to on almost every page. The smug, superior tone of the narration really wears on you. The storyline is totally unbelievable.
Uma obeys because it is a woman’s place to obey, and not to question. So when Midnight amazingly beats up all the local hooligans who attack him one after another, his mother tends to his wounds but knows it is not her place to ask even a seven-year-old man any questions about how this happened. He escorts his mother to work and back every day on the subway, then returns home where he home schools himself.
He also becomes a martial arts student at a classy dojo (not the cheesy kind with the windows fronting the street, we are told) and becomes the star pupil, the only one chosen for weapons training. He plays basketball with some friends and, while trying out for a more formal league, shows he is the best player by sinking 19 three-point shots in a row. He gets a job at a Chinese fish market. Guess what? His boss loves him. He spends a lot of time reading in a bookstore and beating the owner at chess. The bookstore owner greatly admires him.
He intrudes on an art class and is immediately mistaken by the teacher for a model because of his fantastic face and body. He wears a lot of name-brand clothing.
At home at night, Uma starts making perfume that is so magical and popular that Midnight spends hours going all over the city gathering ingredients and taking orders. Then she starts making dresses and the money starts coming in so fast they can hardly keep track of it.
Eventually he reaches the age of fourteen and realizes it is time for him to get married. Unfortunately, every single one of the girls his age in Brooklyn is a whore. Not to worry. He finds the perfect mate. Actually, she finds him, stalking him for weeks while he works at the fish market, mesmerized by his beauty. She is a sixteen-year-old Japanese girl who happens to be a world renowned artist and the daughter of the wealthiest industrialist in Japan. She wears name-brand clothes in incredibly original and artsy ways. Best of all, she speaks not a word of English.
Long after they are formally and legally married, they consummate their love in the shower stall in the locker room under the fish market. They both have amazing genitals. They still can’t speak to each other. She appears to be totally submissive to him. It is the perfect marriage.
He buys a house for them and his mother and sister. They never hear again from his father. Nor is there any word of what happened to his father’s other two wives.
Oh yeah, and he murders a guy for no ascertainable reason.
This appears to be a fantasy book for seven-year-olds who like to dream about having superpowers but in real life are insecure and terrified of women. The one note – Midnight’s superpowers – is played over and over until it gets really boring. The need (and desire) of all females to be subordinated to him is mentioned or referred to on almost every page. The smug, superior tone of the narration really wears on you. The storyline is totally unbelievable.
August 7, 2011
I've read and heard so many negative reviews and this is why it's taken me so long to get this one. Majority of the reviews that I was reading or hearing were all saying it had nothing to do with "The Coldest Winter Ever" until someone finally told me it was about Midnight and his transition into America. Today on Goodreads I read a lot of negative reviews stating that Souljah portrayed black women in a negative light and how "unrealisitic" this was and the stigmas etc etc. I feel like this: There is a reason why this book is included in the FICTION section because it's not supposed to be truthful just a story for entertainment so I really don't understand why so many are upset at the things she decided to write about and the view she took on it. I can actually relate to a lot of the things she wrote about such as females selling themselves short and being so quick to reel a guy in through sex or their sex appeal and wearing the tight fitting clothing and such. YES there are more positive females around but Souljah is the author and she decided that she wanted to bring other things to light so I can't blame her or be upset with her and say her book is trash because of that. Others were also upset because they thought that this would be a Coldest Winter pt 2 but had they read the synopsis then they would've known this wasn't the case. I respect this book because it opened my eyes into a new tradition and way of life over in Africa. I always hear about people being Muslim but none the way Midnight was raised to be. Yes I felt Midnight was over the top because of his good looks, fighting skills, and how between 7-14 he was handling things that me at 27 am still struggling to do. But when it's all you know and are used to, it comes naturally. All in all this was a good book to me
Not only was the writing style on point the story was very interesting and new to me. I enjoyed following the day to day in the life of Midnight because although I see and hear about the people he ran into I don't stop and dwell into their lives but Souljah let me in a little more through her writing. I've read a few books that are poorly written and/or edited and it was good to be able to just continue reading the story without having to stop or get annoyed because of all the typos or trying to decipher the poor grammer. This novel also helped me to understand why black men settle down with women outside of their race. When you grow up seeing/hearing the same things you want something new and different, something that's ALL your own and the entire town can't tell you their life story before you get it out of them for yourself.
Not only was the writing style on point the story was very interesting and new to me. I enjoyed following the day to day in the life of Midnight because although I see and hear about the people he ran into I don't stop and dwell into their lives but Souljah let me in a little more through her writing. I've read a few books that are poorly written and/or edited and it was good to be able to just continue reading the story without having to stop or get annoyed because of all the typos or trying to decipher the poor grammer. This novel also helped me to understand why black men settle down with women outside of their race. When you grow up seeing/hearing the same things you want something new and different, something that's ALL your own and the entire town can't tell you their life story before you get it out of them for yourself.
December 23, 2016
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I admire Midnight's poise and adherence to his beliefs however I did spot a few contradictions. The murder's of the two men were not justified to me. Neither one of them were a physical threat to Midnight (yet) and Souljah already spent half of the book pointing out how great a fighter Midnight was. TCWE gave a better reason for Midnight to commit murder. Also, Midnight came across as extremely arrogant even to his own kind. If all Muslim women were all as perfect as his mother, why didn't he choose Sudana over Akemi? Why didn't he try to teach Ameer the proper way to follow the faith instead of chastising him? The age of the characters were not realistic and made most of Midnight's story border on fantasy.
However on the flip side, I believe this work would make a good read for any GROWN black man to take into influence. What the book should emphasize is that it was Midnight's mindset, not religion that equated to his success. Any man from any religion can and should care for their family.
However on the flip side, I believe this work would make a good read for any GROWN black man to take into influence. What the book should emphasize is that it was Midnight's mindset, not religion that equated to his success. Any man from any religion can and should care for their family.
April 13, 2010
I felt duped when I bought "Midnight." Sister Soulja is a damn conartist. She advertised "Midnight" as a sequel to her great novel, "The Coldest Winter Ever," but I'm telling you it is NOT A SEQUEL! If anything "Midnight" is a prequel to Midnight's life. Sister Soulja used the entire novel to degrade African Americans and question their Christianity. Heads up Sister Soulja: Not everyone is a Muslim or lover of Islam. Sister Soulja is a pseudo-intellectual hypocrite who uses the capitalist regime she so greatly "dislikes" just to get money. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK! I REPEAT, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK - save yourself the frustration & upset at the prospect that Sister Soulja could write another "The Coldest Winter Ever."
December 10, 2008
This was a terrible disappointment, do not buy this book, borrow it from someone and when your done advise them to take it back! This book is good if your interested in young, interracial, muslim love but other than that there was no real "Gangsta Love Story" like the title says!
March 17, 2016
Implausible events and a little tedious.
February 10, 2009
I read this because I wanted to understand urban fiction just a little better. As it turns out, this book is very hard on the audience for urban fiction, so I doubt it will do much but disappoint the people who have chosen The Coldest Winter Ever as an iconic book. But it's still an interesting book in many ways.
Written from the perspective of a 14-year-old Sudanese immigrant to the US, this is the story of a young Islamic man trying to navigate American, particularly African-American, culture while keeping his mother and sister safe. For political reasons not explained in detail, they've been forced to come to America to stay safe and Midnight must take on the role of man of the family very early, which in his culture is a very important role indeed.
In terms of realism, this is just plain silly: Midnight is, among other things, devoutly religious, a ninja-in-training, a successful businessman, a basketball star, a reader, a strong chess player, and a magnet for women of all ages. He achieves all of this because of his father's powerful influence, despite the fact that he never sees his father after age 7. He has a good mother who also influences him, but she can't speak any English and is completely sheltered from the real world by her son. Yet somehow Midnight is brilliant and never makes a misstep despite the fact that he is home-schooled from age 7 by a mother who is a complete fish out of water. He falls in love with a 16-year-old Japanese artist, in America for her show at the MOMA. She also loves him and they spend the book courting, despite the fact that she also doesn't speak any English. She also seems to want nothing more than to be sheltered and put on a pedestal by a boy with whom she can barely communicate. Even in simple terms of the number of tasks that Midnight can fit into a day, this book is fantasy writ large. Midnight is the truest kind of Mary Sue. He just can't do any wrong.
I found many aspects of the book troubling too. The book is almost universally critical of African-American culture, while completely glorifying Islamic Sudanese culture. Even worse, the women in the novel are written as if they could desire nothing more than be hidden away from the world and allowed to be creative goddesses, making babies and art but locked away from human interactions. Neither of the two main female characters seems troubled by the fact that they cannot communicate with anyone in the culture where they live. Only Naja, Midnight's little sister seems to bridle against his control, and even her revolts are minor. What would happen if Midnight was killed, or if he wasn't perfect and made major mistakes? One more disturbing aspect of the book is the casual way in which Midnight kills two men. Granted, they are not nice men (and despite the subtitle, Midnight is not a gangster), but in both cases Midnight kills them because of threats, not because they actually do anything of substance. Finally, don't even get me started on the idea that a 14 year old and a 16 year old could make a successful marriage. If you want to analyze this book deeply as realism, I don't think you can like it, let alone love it.
Yet despite all of that, I'm giving the book four stars. Here's why: First, this is a romance, a work of the fantastic set in a variation of the real world. Within the fantastic version of the world that it creates, it's internally consistent. This is a story told from the perspective of a character, and from his worldview, what happens here (despite it's improbability in real-world terms) is believable. More important, Sister Souljah tells an interesting story that kept my attention throughout, even at moments when I was shaking my head at the possibility of a young man like Midnight or the political subtexts underlying the romance.
This is a wonky, middle-aged white man's review of a book that is none of those things. But I was surprised to find myself, against all likelihoods, caught up in this story.
Written from the perspective of a 14-year-old Sudanese immigrant to the US, this is the story of a young Islamic man trying to navigate American, particularly African-American, culture while keeping his mother and sister safe. For political reasons not explained in detail, they've been forced to come to America to stay safe and Midnight must take on the role of man of the family very early, which in his culture is a very important role indeed.
In terms of realism, this is just plain silly: Midnight is, among other things, devoutly religious, a ninja-in-training, a successful businessman, a basketball star, a reader, a strong chess player, and a magnet for women of all ages. He achieves all of this because of his father's powerful influence, despite the fact that he never sees his father after age 7. He has a good mother who also influences him, but she can't speak any English and is completely sheltered from the real world by her son. Yet somehow Midnight is brilliant and never makes a misstep despite the fact that he is home-schooled from age 7 by a mother who is a complete fish out of water. He falls in love with a 16-year-old Japanese artist, in America for her show at the MOMA. She also loves him and they spend the book courting, despite the fact that she also doesn't speak any English. She also seems to want nothing more than to be sheltered and put on a pedestal by a boy with whom she can barely communicate. Even in simple terms of the number of tasks that Midnight can fit into a day, this book is fantasy writ large. Midnight is the truest kind of Mary Sue. He just can't do any wrong.
I found many aspects of the book troubling too. The book is almost universally critical of African-American culture, while completely glorifying Islamic Sudanese culture. Even worse, the women in the novel are written as if they could desire nothing more than be hidden away from the world and allowed to be creative goddesses, making babies and art but locked away from human interactions. Neither of the two main female characters seems troubled by the fact that they cannot communicate with anyone in the culture where they live. Only Naja, Midnight's little sister seems to bridle against his control, and even her revolts are minor. What would happen if Midnight was killed, or if he wasn't perfect and made major mistakes? One more disturbing aspect of the book is the casual way in which Midnight kills two men. Granted, they are not nice men (and despite the subtitle, Midnight is not a gangster), but in both cases Midnight kills them because of threats, not because they actually do anything of substance. Finally, don't even get me started on the idea that a 14 year old and a 16 year old could make a successful marriage. If you want to analyze this book deeply as realism, I don't think you can like it, let alone love it.
Yet despite all of that, I'm giving the book four stars. Here's why: First, this is a romance, a work of the fantastic set in a variation of the real world. Within the fantastic version of the world that it creates, it's internally consistent. This is a story told from the perspective of a character, and from his worldview, what happens here (despite it's improbability in real-world terms) is believable. More important, Sister Souljah tells an interesting story that kept my attention throughout, even at moments when I was shaking my head at the possibility of a young man like Midnight or the political subtexts underlying the romance.
This is a wonky, middle-aged white man's review of a book that is none of those things. But I was surprised to find myself, against all likelihoods, caught up in this story.
December 31, 2015
This was an "OK" read. After reading The Coldest Winter Ever I was looking forward to reading this book. I wasn't disappointed but just couldn't get the connection. This read focused more on Midnight and his arrival as well as challenges. He demonstrated, through his actions, that he would go to any lengths to protect his love ones.
There were many instances where the reading caused my thinking to wonder....lost my focus in very segments. Because of the past reading and the admiration for Sister Souljah I read on.
There were many instances where the reading caused my thinking to wonder....lost my focus in very segments. Because of the past reading and the admiration for Sister Souljah I read on.
September 19, 2011
I felt so many ways when I read this book. For one thing, I felt S.S. was using this book to educate the readers on the customs and lifestyles of Midnight's country and religion. Learning something by chance where you don't expect it is great, but the force-feeding of Muslim and Sudanese ideals were an over-bearing subject in this book. The next thing that stood out to me was the fact that once the "mystery" of Midnight from TCWE was revealed, I really didn't like him that much. So arrogant! So cocky, so sure of himself at 14 and everything to the point where the story was unbelievable. He single-handlely makes all the arrangements for his mother, his sister, and himself, while his mother just accepts his role as her "guardian" and follows his lead.
Thirdly, I have to say I was angry at some points and could not believe the was S.S. writing this. All the Black Ameriacan females were beneath him and Sudanese females. They are all too supid, too fast, too vain, too bold, too loose for him and his high standards. There were CONSTANT put-downs on Black females. I don't recall where any Black female was only given compliments without her having some serious flaw or down side which made her unacceptable to him. Honestly, I felt almost ashamed for being a Black female when I read this, not because I am guilty of these sterotypes presented in the book, but because There were ENDLESS examples of what made Sudanese women so pure and desirable and ideal, and then his love interest is Japanese. She is someone not Black and not American and therefore unsoiled.
To cut this review short, in short I was not truly happy with this book!
Thirdly, I have to say I was angry at some points and could not believe the was S.S. writing this. All the Black Ameriacan females were beneath him and Sudanese females. They are all too supid, too fast, too vain, too bold, too loose for him and his high standards. There were CONSTANT put-downs on Black females. I don't recall where any Black female was only given compliments without her having some serious flaw or down side which made her unacceptable to him. Honestly, I felt almost ashamed for being a Black female when I read this, not because I am guilty of these sterotypes presented in the book, but because There were ENDLESS examples of what made Sudanese women so pure and desirable and ideal, and then his love interest is Japanese. She is someone not Black and not American and therefore unsoiled.
To cut this review short, in short I was not truly happy with this book!
December 10, 2008
Ugh i just wrote a long review but oh well ha ha. I LOVED this book it was so good it gave me a chance to get to know nd understand another culture. I learned things that i would have to be there in person to learn. Their Believes were beautiful although there were somethings i did not agree with but i did agree with most of it. I loved the view on intimacy before sex. I feel the same way toward it but from reading this book it makes me want to hold on to mine even tighter then before, Although i planned on wait it still made be feel that way. The love that Akemi and Midnight share is crazy it funny how u can fall so in love with someone who doesn't speck your language. The way that they connected was something i cant explain. I've alwayz felt that ages should chose when you could get married. If you love someone why not go for it because dat is the one thing everyone wants and or is looking for. I just loved this book and hope its a sequel be cause it was off the point. Pictures and all :D
June 29, 2011
I just finished this book. I have been reading it non stop a little each day. Everytime I put it down it was because I had to but I didn't want to. I wanted more of Midnight and his story. I found myself thinking at a much deeper level about topics the author weaves into the plot. I also kept forgetting that Midnight was only 14. I was so enthralled with this story and each of the characters. This is the first book I've read by Souljah and I'm so glad I've found her talented writing. I have pre-ordered the sequel to this book, just seconds after I finished it. I need more of this story, this family, this author. I'll be checking out her other books already published while I wait on more Midnight.
December 2, 2024
Review coming at end of series.
Definitely 5 stars for this re read tho.
Definitely 5 stars for this re read tho.
May 3, 2009
An Unrealistic Love Story
Basically the story chronicles Midnight from the ages 7-14 years. When Midnight arrives in America, he is 7 years old with his pregnant Sudanese mother, Umma, whom only speaks Arabic. Umma relies on young Midnight to do all her talking for her since he can speak English. They came to America with the understanding that a friend of Midnight’s father would get them set up when they arrived. But they are sadly let down when this does not occur. Young Midnight finds a real estate agent who he negotiates with to find a place for him and his pregnant mother to live. He was the one that went to the store to get all the cleaning supplies and went to their new apartment by himself and scrubbed that apartment down, staying the night in an unfamiliar, unsavory, neighborhood by himself.
Now to me that is just totally unbelievable. I had a hard time with this. I know Sister Souljah makes it a point to let the reader know that Midnight doesn’t look like the average child that he looks more like an adult; but I have a seven-year-old and I could not even imagine my child doing half of what Midnight has done.
Then to make some side money, Midnight decides to have his mother sell the beautiful clothing that she makes, therefore launching Umma’s Designs. Who, of course, runs the business? Young Midnight. He knows more about women’s clothing and labels than any child of this age that I know of, yet again making this story unbelievable.
Although Midnight seems to be a strong, family oriented young man, he seems to contradict himself with some of his beliefs. He comes to America full of criticism for the American black youth.
THE COLDEST WINTER EVER, one of the best books to ever hit the street lit market, is a classic within its own right, but this, this is totally different. All the way down to the writing style. MIDNIGHT: A Gangster Love Story was flat. It moved too extremely slow. It was really hard for this reader to wade through all the repetitive mumbo jumbo. The page count could have definitely been cut down.
The story leaves the reader even more confused than anything because there are so many unanswered questions lingering at the end of the novel. Maybe there is a sequel in the making, I have no idea. Unfortunately this reader will not be reading it if there is. My final rating would be 3 stars, and honestly I am being generous in my rating.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
Basically the story chronicles Midnight from the ages 7-14 years. When Midnight arrives in America, he is 7 years old with his pregnant Sudanese mother, Umma, whom only speaks Arabic. Umma relies on young Midnight to do all her talking for her since he can speak English. They came to America with the understanding that a friend of Midnight’s father would get them set up when they arrived. But they are sadly let down when this does not occur. Young Midnight finds a real estate agent who he negotiates with to find a place for him and his pregnant mother to live. He was the one that went to the store to get all the cleaning supplies and went to their new apartment by himself and scrubbed that apartment down, staying the night in an unfamiliar, unsavory, neighborhood by himself.
Now to me that is just totally unbelievable. I had a hard time with this. I know Sister Souljah makes it a point to let the reader know that Midnight doesn’t look like the average child that he looks more like an adult; but I have a seven-year-old and I could not even imagine my child doing half of what Midnight has done.
Then to make some side money, Midnight decides to have his mother sell the beautiful clothing that she makes, therefore launching Umma’s Designs. Who, of course, runs the business? Young Midnight. He knows more about women’s clothing and labels than any child of this age that I know of, yet again making this story unbelievable.
Although Midnight seems to be a strong, family oriented young man, he seems to contradict himself with some of his beliefs. He comes to America full of criticism for the American black youth.
THE COLDEST WINTER EVER, one of the best books to ever hit the street lit market, is a classic within its own right, but this, this is totally different. All the way down to the writing style. MIDNIGHT: A Gangster Love Story was flat. It moved too extremely slow. It was really hard for this reader to wade through all the repetitive mumbo jumbo. The page count could have definitely been cut down.
The story leaves the reader even more confused than anything because there are so many unanswered questions lingering at the end of the novel. Maybe there is a sequel in the making, I have no idea. Unfortunately this reader will not be reading it if there is. My final rating would be 3 stars, and honestly I am being generous in my rating.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
April 29, 2016
I didn't finish because this book is deplorable. It's written so far from reality but tries to work as a template and structure for an "ideal" reality that further abuses the community Sister Souljah is writing to. The way the characters spoke about American women, women who have some kind of sexual agency or experience, was vile. Sister Souljah is not fixing the problem by calling American women "garbage" for being sexual with anyone else other than their arranged husbands; she is further instigating the patriarchal binary of Virgin and Whore, giving women two categories to fall into: one that promises sainthood but requires absolute purity and self-denial and the other, so easy to slip into, that promises only damnation and hardly redemption. Sister Souljah writes so highly of Sudan and of Islam like she has only read a travel brochure but never the newspaper. Surely Western American newspapers are biased against Muslim countries and we cannot say Sudan is a land of despair and we the land of fulfillment; however, Sister Souljah, in her ignorance and idealization of country she has obviously little relation to, is indirectly promoting female genital mutilation and religious persecution--which I guess the latter is fitting for Sister Souljah since anyone who doesn't believe exactly what she does is wrong and ruining the world. Both are fitting since she doesn't care if women experience their sexuality. Ugh!!!
If I owned this book rather than borrowed it from the library and owned it for forever, maybe I would eventually finish it but it was due and someone else had put it on hold and I'm not going to jump over hoops to continue reading a book that glorifies a single way of being and reduces the rest of the world, made up of human beings with their own backgrounds, motives, and beliefs, to "garbage".
If I owned this book rather than borrowed it from the library and owned it for forever, maybe I would eventually finish it but it was due and someone else had put it on hold and I'm not going to jump over hoops to continue reading a book that glorifies a single way of being and reduces the rest of the world, made up of human beings with their own backgrounds, motives, and beliefs, to "garbage".
September 16, 2010
The book starts off slow, with to much details, but like i said earlier while reading it, i understood why she did it and the main reason is to teach us while we read. I guess sometime when your are reading for enjoyment you dont want to be taught, BUT im actually glad she went in great details about somethings, it help me to understand alot of things throughout the book. I totally enjoyed this book, it a book that has a great message. Me being a women that grew up in the street of brooklyn with muslim parents, i understood and respected alot of what she was teaching. At first I didnt like or respect the relationship of midnight and akemi, but after a while i came to respect it, they had a love between them that hard not to respect even without true understanding of lanagage. This book left its stamp on me that will stay on me for a long time. I want my oldest son to read this book to learn a lesson as well but i think it may be a little mature for him but when he turns 16 i will definately let him read it.
only thing im dissappointed about is the ending and that only cause sister souljah take to long to write sequels
only thing im dissappointed about is the ending and that only cause sister souljah take to long to write sequels
January 18, 2009
truly disappointed! the story was disjointed and simply did not make sense at parts. I put down the book about 50 pages in. I read The Coldest Winter Ever many years ago, and really enjoyed it. And I was hoping for a similiar experience. However, this was not it. In fact, I wonder if The Coldest Winter Ever was as good as I remembered...
April 11, 2009
I have never disliked a book so much in my life. This book is problematic on a variety of levels. From a literary perspective, the poor editing and lack of a plot is sloppy. The characters are underdeveloped and generalized. Midnight, Akemi, Umma, and Naja are flawless. Everything they do is perfect. However, all of the other black women are hood, loud, and promiscuous, for no reason. I find it hard to believe that there wasn't a single decent black woman in all of Brooklyn. I'm not sure why Soulja doesn't have it in her to develop a strong black American female character, but I should introduce her to my circle of friends. From an activist perspective, this book is part of the problem in our communities. Soulja allows Midnight to murder people with no remorse, yet he is illustrated as what an admirable 14-year old looks like. Even with her poor explanations of why Midnight kills people, she acts as if murder is something easy and common. Is this the message we want to send your teenage audiences Soulja? Additionally, she writes very explicit and erotic passages about Midnight having sex, seemingly forgetting that he is 14. Again, without a clear purpose for the argument she is making through this story, I cannot pass this book along to my students and feel comfortable with them reading it. It's as bad as hip-hop music that encourages our youth to live a life of thuggery. It is socially irresponsible. I'm not sure why Soulja wanted Midnight to be 14, but I work with teenagers and while some of them do grow up fast, no 14-year old is like the character Midnight. And with the explicit sex scenes, its even more unforgiving that she insisted on making him 14. Reading child pornography is unsettling. Finally, the pictures were not only a distraction, but made the entire book a joke. Akemi was much more gorgeous in my head, and then I would see a picture of her and be disappointed by her beauty. The same goes for Midnight, who I loved in CWE, but the pictures in this book were not how I imagined Midnight at all. What was Soulja thinking with the pictures? What was Soulja thinking with this book??? And how is this character going to ultimately fall in love with Sister Soulja (remember the love letters Winter found in Soulja's room from Midnight)? Yea, explaining that one is going to be a stretch...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2011
i would like to start this review by saying that i LOVE sista souljah and i LOVED "the coldest winter ever." initially, i didn't want to read this book when it first came out because i thought too much time lapsed between her last novel and this one. however, i decided to take a chance and read it. i am extremely disappointed in this novel. first and foremost, the character midnight from "the coldest winter ever" and this character seem to be two different people. there is no connection and no reoccurring characters. the novel is told in the first person which is intriguing, yet because midnight's character remains flat throughout the novel, many of the chapters seem underdeveloped and trite. most of the characters are not developed at all, which makes the writing seem very elementary and unrealistic, almost fantasy-like.
my primary issue with this book is the terrible portrayal of african american women! every african american woman in the book, young and old, was negative, promiscuous, loud, raunchy, and the list goes on. there was not ONE great female character who was black, unless she was from the Continent (Africa). i do understand that souljah wanted to depict the perspective of a young african male, yet still, it seemed embellished and overdone, lacking any true insight into the division between africans and african americans apart from what is stereotypically believed to be true.
i did enjoy some aspects of the love story between akemi and midnight, although it seemed really impossible. they get married without speaking the same language (at the age of 14 and 16 under muslim law), which is both mysterious and beautiful, as well as unfathomable. some of the scenes between akemi and midnight are truly beautiful and really get into the heart of young people coming of age in the world.
all of the "good" characters were asian, african or jewish. there were zero positive african-american characters which i am blown away by considering souljah's background and activist work. yes, i enjoyed her attempt to dispel myths about Africa, however, while doing that, she completely denigrated the african-american community...i ordered the sequel before starting to read this, so i guess i will read the next one out of sheer curiosity...
p.s. there were lots of typos also!
my primary issue with this book is the terrible portrayal of african american women! every african american woman in the book, young and old, was negative, promiscuous, loud, raunchy, and the list goes on. there was not ONE great female character who was black, unless she was from the Continent (Africa). i do understand that souljah wanted to depict the perspective of a young african male, yet still, it seemed embellished and overdone, lacking any true insight into the division between africans and african americans apart from what is stereotypically believed to be true.
i did enjoy some aspects of the love story between akemi and midnight, although it seemed really impossible. they get married without speaking the same language (at the age of 14 and 16 under muslim law), which is both mysterious and beautiful, as well as unfathomable. some of the scenes between akemi and midnight are truly beautiful and really get into the heart of young people coming of age in the world.
all of the "good" characters were asian, african or jewish. there were zero positive african-american characters which i am blown away by considering souljah's background and activist work. yes, i enjoyed her attempt to dispel myths about Africa, however, while doing that, she completely denigrated the african-american community...i ordered the sequel before starting to read this, so i guess i will read the next one out of sheer curiosity...
p.s. there were lots of typos also!
January 25, 2009
Sistah Souljah starts off speaking about Midnight's family--Umma (mom) and dad sending his family off to U.S. from Africa (what ever happened to Midnight's father afterwards). Midnight's manhood arose at the age of fourteen, after discovering the hard-knock life in NY and few rumbles at the early age of seven.
In this book, normally do not see photos or images of people while reading the content especially in a fiction book. It brings the story more to life, feels more lifelike, and surreal.
Valuable lesson taken, in the beginning passages, Sistah Souljah is stating Americans have more than those in foreign, third-world counties, but have little to show and these foreigners come to America starting their own businesses and become successful, when Americans appear to be lazy and remain in debt. It does appear this way, we, as Americans, are constantly complaining that we are poor, but not willing to do it like these foreigners who see the riches of the land and take advantage of it.
After reading "Coldest Winter Ever", long waited book, we are expecting the author to grow and to be better...or sequel, and some say pre-quel, so far, I am not seeing prequel at all. Maybe I have not gotten to the very end to see the connection. I almost wanted to give up on the first few chapters, so much descriptions and comparisons, not dialogue and making me feel the novel like her previous novel, "Coldest Winter". So slow.
I finished the novel, things that were discernible were teenagers at fourteen married, owning a home, and running a business is unreal. To read about fourteen year old teenagers having sexual intercourse, is not humane (even though it is reality). It was challenging to read and imagining kids having sex. It felt like a YA with vulgar language and some sexual advances/scenes, without enough action and spell-binding scenes as her previous work.
Only rated it a 2 stars since it had some valuable points in the book, otherwise, it would be a 1!
In this book, normally do not see photos or images of people while reading the content especially in a fiction book. It brings the story more to life, feels more lifelike, and surreal.
Valuable lesson taken, in the beginning passages, Sistah Souljah is stating Americans have more than those in foreign, third-world counties, but have little to show and these foreigners come to America starting their own businesses and become successful, when Americans appear to be lazy and remain in debt. It does appear this way, we, as Americans, are constantly complaining that we are poor, but not willing to do it like these foreigners who see the riches of the land and take advantage of it.
After reading "Coldest Winter Ever", long waited book, we are expecting the author to grow and to be better...or sequel, and some say pre-quel, so far, I am not seeing prequel at all. Maybe I have not gotten to the very end to see the connection. I almost wanted to give up on the first few chapters, so much descriptions and comparisons, not dialogue and making me feel the novel like her previous novel, "Coldest Winter". So slow.
I finished the novel, things that were discernible were teenagers at fourteen married, owning a home, and running a business is unreal. To read about fourteen year old teenagers having sexual intercourse, is not humane (even though it is reality). It was challenging to read and imagining kids having sex. It felt like a YA with vulgar language and some sexual advances/scenes, without enough action and spell-binding scenes as her previous work.
Only rated it a 2 stars since it had some valuable points in the book, otherwise, it would be a 1!
January 21, 2025
DNF
I was going to try my best to finish it, but naw, I'm good. I'm not sure why she wrote this child character to be supposedly mature and such a "man."
He literally only had his father in his life for 7 years, and science says we don't really start forming lasting memories until the age of 3. So he supposedly he learned all he needed to know about being a man & protector in less than 4 years?
Also, the continuous stereotypes against others, especially Black Americans, were too much! I read another reviewer claim we didn't like the claims against the American women, especially Black women, because we supposedly saw ourselves in them. I'm nothing AT ALL like anyone she described in this book and was still offended. Sorry that that reader feels like a clown and less than other people based on their stereotypes of them and the entire Black community. That's crazy AF. I hope they've healed from that, though.
Anyways, Midnight just came off as ignorant, prejudiced, and self-righteous. It seems like he was supposed to be so mature, but the way he judges others to me made him come across as childish. Especially when he fell for a Japanese chick doing her best to imitate that Black American culture he despised while her family was also looking down on him! She knew he wasn't going to be accepted as a potential suitor for him, but it's crazy he didn't come to see that they didn't like his Black ass!
Also, since when does a Preachers Kid not know or understand what prayer is?? What kind of dumb ass religious bias is that, and I'm not a member of any religion but BFFR! People in America were confused about prayer?? Prayer?? GTFOH SS! Like, did she really mean to make this character this fucking ridiculous?
I was going to try my best to finish it, but naw, I'm good. I'm not sure why she wrote this child character to be supposedly mature and such a "man."
He literally only had his father in his life for 7 years, and science says we don't really start forming lasting memories until the age of 3. So he supposedly he learned all he needed to know about being a man & protector in less than 4 years?
Also, the continuous stereotypes against others, especially Black Americans, were too much! I read another reviewer claim we didn't like the claims against the American women, especially Black women, because we supposedly saw ourselves in them. I'm nothing AT ALL like anyone she described in this book and was still offended. Sorry that that reader feels like a clown and less than other people based on their stereotypes of them and the entire Black community. That's crazy AF. I hope they've healed from that, though.
Anyways, Midnight just came off as ignorant, prejudiced, and self-righteous. It seems like he was supposed to be so mature, but the way he judges others to me made him come across as childish. Especially when he fell for a Japanese chick doing her best to imitate that Black American culture he despised while her family was also looking down on him! She knew he wasn't going to be accepted as a potential suitor for him, but it's crazy he didn't come to see that they didn't like his Black ass!
Also, since when does a Preachers Kid not know or understand what prayer is?? What kind of dumb ass religious bias is that, and I'm not a member of any religion but BFFR! People in America were confused about prayer?? Prayer?? GTFOH SS! Like, did she really mean to make this character this fucking ridiculous?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2011
It is 3:10 in the morning and I just finished the novel. I have a lot of unanswered questions! There has to be a sequel to this one. Does he get his wife back (at the age of 14)? Is he still 14 at the end of the book? What happened to his Father? Or did I miss it? Are they going to move into the house? Is Umma and her Sudanese friends going to open up their school? Ameer seems like a hot head is he and Midnight going to get into it? Is Midnight going to hook up with Bangs and make her a second wife? Is he going to put his training to work? If he gets to Tokyo will he be able to navigate, find his wife and bring her back? Is Akemi pregnant? At the end we are told that Akemi was crying a lot before she left (was kidnapped by her Father) but did she want to leave? She is a firecracker so why didn't she run away? Will Umma designs blow up!! Did Naja keep the cat? Or did I miss that too? And how in the H E double hockey sticks does Midnight go from being this stand up young man to eventually working with Santana?????????? And when will he officially meet Santana? Who will win the Basketball tournament? There are way too many questions left for me to ponder. I sure hope Sistah Souljah does not take 3 years to answer...
All in all I really enjoyed the novel Thumbs up.
12-17-08
All in all I really enjoyed the novel Thumbs up.
12-17-08
July 7, 2024
I guess I can understand how someone could read it and like it. But me, myself was extremely pissed. When you are expecting a sequel and you wait years for it to come out your expectations are high and when they do not exceed your expectations you're pissed. The Coldest Winder Ever was my favorite book from the time i was a teenager until recently (i stepped my reading game up! no shade towards ss). If you are a fan of TCWE then you probably wont like Midnight because its nothing like it. In TCWE Midnight was EVERYONE's favorite character so it only made since to come out with a novel of his story. But in this book; he's opinionated, judgmental, arrogant, cocky, and quick to throw stereotypes that makes you wonder if this is the way the author really feels (and im good at separated a book from the author) but it was really hard in Midnight. I only read it because I started it and sacrificed money i didnt really have for the book. But once my friend adviced me that the Japenese chick never learned English! I put the book down for good that pissed me off! that was the last straw for me and that was maybe five chapts before the end.
September 27, 2011
I loved this book! I really got into it, mainly for the same reasons most people didn't like it. It was not what I was expecting. Everybody thought this was going to be the follow up to Coldest Winter Ever, I stated reading it for that reason. I wanted to check back in with Winter but there was no Winter. lol. What I found instead was a character that I thought I knew, I actually didn't. Midnight this sexy thugish black man, in Winter eyes. Turned out to be a strong, intelligent, family oriented Arabic young man. I was happy that Sister Souljah took it back to his beginning. It filled in so many gaps of who he was and why. While also giving me information about a different culture that I didn't know anything about. If you can step out of your box and forget about what you think you know about this character and drop your expectation of what you want it to be and open your mind, this is a great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 654 reviews