The Strong, Silent Type

by C. Kelly Robinson

A down-and-out, former professional football star finds new meaning in his life thanks to a speech therapist and single mother, in a novel about healing, forgiveness, and taking risks with one's heart. By the author of The Perfect Blend. Original.

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2005

Reviews

[Shari-lynn Pringle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read via audible_com. It has been in my queue for a while - and my first read of this author. I liked the characters, the twists and turns of the storyline but a little predictable in some instances. Dealing with a speech impediment and all that goes with it was interesting. It is often forgotten until you hear someone struggling.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, yes, late March and yet another snow day off work and another novel down..I spent the day relaxing, cleaning, cooking and reading and it was a very productive and entertaining day and I spent time with an author I liked from a previous novel but sadly didn't like this book as much..Soo after reading an insightful story inside a story technique from this author in Not All Dogs I was intrigued by this book after seeing it on the sparse Urban Literature section that is so ran through and neglected that I shudder everytime I go but cant stay away, I wish others wouldn't steal and mutilate library book jeez Louise! Anyways on to the story this is about a man who suffers with a stuttering impediment and his struggles with that, his job, his life, his two children and two baby mothers and the death of his father who hits a wall and comes to go to a therapy clinic where he meets Maria a therapist with her own past full of problems and the book switches viewpoints between the two from there...I cant lie I found a lot of this book kinda messy and too over involved in side plots when the central plots were strong enough, honestly I realize this talented young brother has a lot to say about politics, legacy, the African American community and agenda but it felt forced in this book which is essentially a soft hearted romance about a brother with a problem that is surprisingly common and embarrassing and how he gets help and learns to deal with his shortcomings and embrace his positive attributes with Maria who is also in need of the same advice on her life as she has her own messy situation to deal with but alas Love must prevail amidst a kidnapping, a blackmail, a murder mystery coverup and secrets that finally come to light but uh where was the love story because that was the story I was waiting though it got twisted somewhere and for that it lost a star..I know this writer has a story inside though and I will continue to read as I feel this wasn't a bad story after a little editing and more character development on every other major character like Thomas, Miles, Alicia and Ramsey who just sort of float in and out the book stir things up and leave kinda flat..I don't know just not an unforgettable read but an author to watch.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had a little different take on it than I've normally read, and gave some insight on stuttering and how people that have it deal, cope or overcome it. The story seemed to have 2 main characters that were connected to one another but also had their own personal drama going on, both family related. It was a good thing they had one another to turn to when things really got tough.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Although it was a fictional novel, it detailed the accounts of individuals that have issues with stuttering, how it affects their lives and how society treats them. It was pretty good!