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Four and a Half Billion People
What would you sacrifice for family?
Jorie’s respectful life as “justa hairdresser” screeches to a halt when her eldest son, James, is accused of mowing down the mayor’s husband. It’s 1978 and the townsfolk are obsessed with James’ trial, convinced of his guilt. All they see is his pacing, counting, and obsession with a 200-mile bicycle tour he has no hope of riding. They don’t understand how he sees equations as colors, tastes emotions and smells sounds. But James has a secret, one he won’t tell, one worth going to jail for.
A handsome lawyer and a mysterious bicycle club come to the rescue as Jorie struggles to hold her family together through the courtroom drama. Numbers can’t always predict the result when secrets, lies and loyalty push the question of how far we will go to protect the ones we love.
Jorie’s respectful life as “justa hairdresser” screeches to a halt when her eldest son, James, is accused of mowing down the mayor’s husband. It’s 1978 and the townsfolk are obsessed with James’ trial, convinced of his guilt. All they see is his pacing, counting, and obsession with a 200-mile bicycle tour he has no hope of riding. They don’t understand how he sees equations as colors, tastes emotions and smells sounds. But James has a secret, one he won’t tell, one worth going to jail for.
A handsome lawyer and a mysterious bicycle club come to the rescue as Jorie struggles to hold her family together through the courtroom drama. Numbers can’t always predict the result when secrets, lies and loyalty push the question of how far we will go to protect the ones we love.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2022
Four and a Half Billion People is a compelling novel that touches on what it means to be a family - a real family, with all the bumps and scrapes. With their unique view of the world, scrappiness, and overflowing warmth, the Jenkins may be my new favorite family in lit. It is refreshing to read a representation of not only neurodivergence, but of victims of domestic abuse as well. This representation is much needed and very appreciated. The beautifully rendered characters, masterful court narrative, and empathy Catherine Pomeroy brings to the table makes Four and a Half Billion People a book that’s very hard to put down.
May 20, 2022
Pomeroy is a masterful storyteller. Her characters make you want to stand hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, to face down the world with them. Four and a Half Billion People is, simply put, a must-read.
May 7, 2023
A feel good book with likable characters.
May 23, 2022
Four and a Half Billion People is a surprisingly heartwarming tale of womanhood, motherhood, and family. Well-written and compelling composed, it is a fast and enjoyable read. Great book!
November 20, 2022
Really enjoyed this story. It was disappointing that the school was portrayed as not recognizing James’ brilliant mind. But the story was fun to read and I liked the characters - you felt Jorie’s fierce motherly love and the brother bond. The injustice and neglect of protection in abusive relationships brings the story’s women together eventually. Good story!
Enjoyed this as much as “Gulch Jumpers”.
Enjoyed this as much as “Gulch Jumpers”.
January 21, 2023
4.5 a bit quirky, a bit Hallmarky. It was just a genuinely feel good story . The best writing? No. But the storyline was funny and sad at the same time but mostly heartwarming. What we now know as Autism in James (not known in the 70s). A mothers love. Sibling love. Forgiveness. Truth. Just a really cute book.
November 26, 2022
I really loved this book. A story of a mother trying to the right thing, and two brothers also both trying to do the right things. A story full of the Darker sides of small town life and the warmer uplifting sides as well.
June 26, 2022
Pomeroy has written a story of family love and values that will warm your heart. While the plot is obvious from the beginning, it is a good read. I look forward to seeing more of Pomeroy's work.
June 3, 2022
The first must-read piece of Literature of 2022. This is more than a novel. It is an intense snap shot of Americana. Albeit, the darker side.
In this country, we are supposed to assume everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but we all know how this plays out.
The Jenkins family already has strikes against them. For Jorie, raising a neurodivergent son is hard enough. It only gets worse when the town turns against them when faced with a horrendous claim, causing James' to be shackled in a courtroom while facing life in prison.
The emotional rollercoaster could not be read in one sitting, I need breaks to recover from the constant injustices because I know the subject matters at hand.
If you are easily upset by family drama (abuse also), the inner-workings of a nontypical family, the way society judges and judges some more--then read this but take your time.
The Jenkins deserve a place along with other literary families such as The Marches, Bennetts, and Brennans.
Congratulations to Catherine Pomeroy and No Bad Books Press for getting this stellar novel into reader's hands.
In this country, we are supposed to assume everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but we all know how this plays out.
The Jenkins family already has strikes against them. For Jorie, raising a neurodivergent son is hard enough. It only gets worse when the town turns against them when faced with a horrendous claim, causing James' to be shackled in a courtroom while facing life in prison.
The emotional rollercoaster could not be read in one sitting, I need breaks to recover from the constant injustices because I know the subject matters at hand.
If you are easily upset by family drama (abuse also), the inner-workings of a nontypical family, the way society judges and judges some more--then read this but take your time.
The Jenkins deserve a place along with other literary families such as The Marches, Bennetts, and Brennans.
Congratulations to Catherine Pomeroy and No Bad Books Press for getting this stellar novel into reader's hands.
May 18, 2024
Catherine Pomeroy has written a wonderful book filled with layers of love and strength resonating through her characters and the hills of southern Ohio in the late 70s. Her main character, Jorie, is a stronger-than-she-knows (at first) single mother fighting every day for her two teens to give them a good life amidst the buffeting forces of everyday life and a tragic event which could change the life of her neurodivergent son, James, forever. The author weaves in the topics of domestic violence, the power of cycling, and courtroom proceedings deftly as Jorie comes to realize that her family has backup crews of many types and dimensions—while the main characters fight to unravel the truth of what happened the day her eldest son was arrested. I loved learning about cycling and the courtroom scenes are riveting from the very moment defense attorney Ben enters the life of the Jenkins family. The closing chapters are especially compelling and make this book impossible to put down. I highly recommend this novel and am off to order the author's first book immediately!
September 8, 2023
Absorbing story but mediocre writing with some holes and unanswered questions.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews