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Signifying Nothing
The novel is set in Washington, D.C., in 1979 and focuses on the Hobbs family. Lester Hobbs, nineteen years old, is mentally retarded and mute ― until the day he suddenly begins to rap at the top of his lungs about life with his parents and older siblings. That development has a profound effect on the rest of the family, whose members struggle to figure out what it means, for Lester and themselves.
Lester's wise-cracking brother, Greg, the middle child, who has long alternated between being protective of Lester and being jealous of the attention Lester receives, tries with a spectacular lack of success to profit from his brother's new ability.
Lester and Greg's sister, Sherrie ― bright, pretty, responsible, and aloof ― tries to learn the medical explanation for Lester's condition, which leads her to an affair with George Greer, a brilliant, married, womanizing neurologist.
Meanwhile, Lester's mother, Maddie, tries to adjust emotionally to the change in her son, and Pat, the father, works to figure out the right course of action once the cause of Lester's rapping is revealed.
Lester's wise-cracking brother, Greg, the middle child, who has long alternated between being protective of Lester and being jealous of the attention Lester receives, tries with a spectacular lack of success to profit from his brother's new ability.
Lester and Greg's sister, Sherrie ― bright, pretty, responsible, and aloof ― tries to learn the medical explanation for Lester's condition, which leads her to an affair with George Greer, a brilliant, married, womanizing neurologist.
Meanwhile, Lester's mother, Maddie, tries to adjust emotionally to the change in her son, and Pat, the father, works to figure out the right course of action once the cause of Lester's rapping is revealed.
252 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2009
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2010
n Clifford Thompson's debut novel, Signifying Nothing, the Hobbs family deals with the sudden "rapping" ability of their mentally challenged youngest child, Lester, who has been mute since birth. Set in 1979 in Washington, D.C., Pat and Madelyn are parents to Sherrie, a promising chemistry student at Johns Hopkins University, Greg, an average student at Howard University and Lester. Lester's impromptu outbursts of past family events performed in rhyme at the top of his lungs sets off a series of flashbacks and a re-examination of their feelings toward Lester and each other.
The novel spends equal time on each character as they revisit their pasts while grappling with what to do about Lester's condition. The siblings react differently to their role as Lester's protector against neighborhood bullies and their mother's constantly doting. Their unresolved issues regarding Lester profoundly shape their attitudes, affect their interpersonal relationships, and influence their choices in puberty and adulthood. The parents must face their past losses and missed opportunities. At times, the novel seemed a bit analytical, and not just in terms of Lester's diagnosis, but also with the self-scrutiny and inner monologues of each character.
The novel has universal appeal in terms of family dynamics during crises, subtle references to social commentaries on music, generational gaps, and a bit of sardonic humor. Audiences wishing to peek into middle-class Black America and a family dealing with mentally challenged members should consider this offering.
This novel was provided by the author for purposes of review.
Reviewed by Phyllis
Date: January 10, 2010
The novel spends equal time on each character as they revisit their pasts while grappling with what to do about Lester's condition. The siblings react differently to their role as Lester's protector against neighborhood bullies and their mother's constantly doting. Their unresolved issues regarding Lester profoundly shape their attitudes, affect their interpersonal relationships, and influence their choices in puberty and adulthood. The parents must face their past losses and missed opportunities. At times, the novel seemed a bit analytical, and not just in terms of Lester's diagnosis, but also with the self-scrutiny and inner monologues of each character.
The novel has universal appeal in terms of family dynamics during crises, subtle references to social commentaries on music, generational gaps, and a bit of sardonic humor. Audiences wishing to peek into middle-class Black America and a family dealing with mentally challenged members should consider this offering.
This novel was provided by the author for purposes of review.
Reviewed by Phyllis
Date: January 10, 2010
June 2, 2009
Set in 1979, this novel is a portrait of an African American family in Washington, DC. While the event that sets the plot in motion is the sudden, uncontrolled ability of 19-year-old son Lester, diagnosed as retarded and mute, to speak (actually, rap) for the first time in his life, the story focuses equally on the other members of his family: his father, mother, sister, and brother. We follow each of them and get inside their heads, which presents a more complete, honest picture of an average American family. And of course there is the mystery of WHY Lester has suddenly broken his silence in this way.... Good character development and it's held my interest so far.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews