Taming It Down: A Novel - Hardcover

Mclarin, Kim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688155162 ISBN 13: 9780688155162

Publisher: William Morrow, 1998

Synopsis

An angry young black reporter for a Philadelphia newspaper, Hope Robinson, a former scholarship student an an exclusive prep school, struggles to define her life and identity as she finds herself trapped by a complex personal life, career trouble, and self-destructive emotion. A first novel. Tour.

About this title

About the Author

Kim McLarin is a former journalist at the Associated Press, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the New York Times.

Reviews

Defining a place in each of two competing worldsAone black, one whiteAis the burden and the triumph of the protagonist of this warm and absorbing first novel. Memphis native Hope Robinson, a scholarship student at a New Hampshire prep school, is as much of a puzzle to her classmates as those white teens are to her. Never quite fitting in, she finds both at college and in her first job that her education causes black peers to question her loyalties to other African Americans. A position at a prestigious Philadelphia newspaper promises a fresh start, but tensions there come early when an anonymous, unfriendly memo about affirmative action splits the newsroom. Hope soon begins a secret involvement with David Carson, a white editor at the paper and the boyfriend of Hope's seemingly perfect colleague, Stephanie Johnson. Assigned a beat in the city's largest black neighborhood, Hope works earnestly to overcome the residents' distrust of the press and finds new love with Malcolm Blackwell, a reporter for several black media outlets, who urges her to take an active part in the community she observes. Complications in her personal life and at the paper prove debilitatingly stressful, but, after a revelatory whirlwind assignment in Africa, she has a chance to see how much she has grown when she's confronted by an unexpected critical decision with lifetime consequences. Hope's observations are rendered in a pitch-perfect voice, and McLarin manages the complex narrative adroitly. This is an assured debut that accurately reflects salient concerns of many young people, blacks in particular. Author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newcomer McLarin, whos worked for the AP, Philadelphia Inquirer, and the New York Times, debuts with the story of a young black womans strugglesprofessional and social--in the white man's world of journalism. Although far too few scenes from Hope Robinsons formative youth are on view here, its clear that her years as one of the few black students at a northeastern prep school have had a lasting effect on her adult attitude toward both blacks and whites. Now a news reporter at The Philadelphia Record, the 28-year-old Hope feels shunned by the other black employees and wary of the white ones. Caught between two worlds, a psychological state she's come to regard as routine, she reaches out to no one and returns each day to her solitary apartment where she sleeps, watches TV, and screens calls from her worried mother back in Memphis, who depends on Hope and her younger sister to fulfill her own dreams. When Hope meets charismatic David Carson, a white editor at her paper, and learns hes romantically involved with Stephanie Woodbridge, a white reporter who seems to epitomize the privileged, racist type, Hope decides to release her pent-up anger in a highly personal way. Her subsequent torrid affair with David ends sadly when David decides he cant give up on Stephanie, whos been awarded a promotion and will be leaving Philadelphia for good. After plenty of heartache, Hope finally opens herself instead to Malcolm, a radical black reporter from another paper who needs Hope's talent for mental balance as much as she needs his impulsiveness. The big discovery: no one is as perfect as they seem. Yet another not-so-gripping, syrupy romance: Hope's work-life, unfortunately, is more revelatory than her love lifeand would have been far more interesting. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Hope is a woman with every reason to be mad. Her editor at a Philadelphia newspaper thinks she got her job merely because she's black. Her white lover dumps her for another, blonder woman, and her African American boyfriend considers her a traitor to her race. But when her temper leads her to commit a desperate and irreversible act, she is forced to reevaluate her relationships with her colleagues, her men, her family, and herself. McLarin's first novel goes beyond the typical woman-in-the-Nineties-looking-for-happiness story to explore how rage can erode both individual lives and whole societies and how one woman's ability to let go and forgive can lead to healing. While the supporting characters, especially the men, are thinly drawn, Hope stands out as the perfect girlfriend: smart, funny, and caring, a woman you want to shake some sense into and hug at the same time.?Ellen Flexman, Indianapolis-Marion Cty. P.L., IN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

McLarin's debut novel is quite notable; even the occasional choppy transitions do not detract from the engrossing story line. This family of three sisters, Faith, Hope and Charity, is unique in name and spirit. The story is told by the middle daughter, Hope, an up-and-coming journalist recently relocated to Philadelphia. The story opens with Hope fighting for her sanity and struggling with her own self-awareness. It is through this emotional pain that she is able to deal with her rage and hatred, only to discover that these emotions are self-destructive. Her mother, recognizing Hope's academic potential and the need to prevent her from making mistakes like her older sister, ships her off to an elite prep school. It is while attending this school, alone and surrounded by an unknown world, that she begins to feel uncomfortable about herself. Throughout her ups and downs, Hope continues to try to improve her relationships and herself. An excellent book. Lillian Lewis

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0688155162
• ISBN 13: 9780688155162
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320