Political visionary, human rights leader, preacher, scholar, martyr, Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the most fascinating and significant historical figures. Now, Charles Johnson, a National Book Award-winning novelist, uses his keen insight into the end of the King years to produce a work of historical fiction that dares to change the very nature of the genre.
Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore King's life. Yet the story, told by Mattew Bishop, one of King's devoted followers, is also a tale of doubles, warring brothers, envy, and inequality.
The novel introduces us to Chaym Smith, a man whose startling physical resemblance to King wins him the job of official stand-in. In the course of training Chaym to shield King from danger, Matthew comes to realize the philosophical magnitude of our greatest civil rights leader and the ambiguities within the Movement itself, and he—and we—are irreversibly changed. What makes one man great and the other just a mirror for greatness? What does it mean to be of African American descent in America? What does it take to change to face of a country forever?
Dreamer is a magisterial homage to the man who answered those questions for us. Readers will come away from this astonishing, mulitlayered novel with a knowledge of King, not only as a triumphant political leader, but as a father, husband, friend—and man. Dreamer is a dramatic tour de force that is personal, profound, and deeply inspiring.
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As the novel moves forward in time toward that fateful day in Memphis, Johnson concentrates on the relationship between Bishop--the narrator--and Smith, a man who, with better luck, might have been as great as King. Periodically, the author also lets us in on King's own meditations on his life and faith, and the movement to which he has given them. All in all, Dreamer is the kind of novel Charles Johnson does so well: a book about a big subject, chock full of ideas and populated by characters articulate enough to argue them.
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Johnson's brilliantly realised historical novel deftly handles its material, weaving together a subtle and beautiful novel of immense power and importance. Dreamer is a multi-layered masterpiece. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780862419264
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780862419264
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Seller Inventory # B9780862419264
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 240 pages. 7.80x5.08x0.63 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0862419263
Book Description Condition: New. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, this book offers the work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Num Pages: 240 pages. BIC Classification: 1KBB; 2ABM; BT; FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 200 x 130 x 21. Weight in Grams: 174. . 2004. New Ed. Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780862419264
Book Description Condition: New. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, this book offers the work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Num Pages: 240 pages. BIC Classification: 1KBB; 2ABM; BT; FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 200 x 130 x 21. Weight in Grams: 174. . 2004. New Ed. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9780862419264
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Johnson's brilliantly realised historical novel deftly handles its material, weaving together a subtle and beautiful novel of immense power and importance. Dreamer is a multi-layered masterpiece. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780862419264
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Johnson's brilliantly realised historical novel deftly handles its material, weaving together a subtle and beautiful novel of immense power and importance. Dreamer is a multi-layered masterpiece. Set against the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights Era, Dreamer is the first work of fiction to explore the life of Martin Luther King Jr - political visionary, human rights activist, preacher, scholar and martyr. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780862419264