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megribbin's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
James is a successful businessman, in fact one of the first black billionaires. When things go sideways in his personal life, it is plastered all over the news and James loses the life he loved and worked so hard for. Instead of caving in on himself or become self-destructive, James moves to Mississippi and becomes Mr. Jimmy from around the way, changing the lives of his new community forever.
This book is beautiful. It paints a stunning picture of life in the rural, poverty stricken, racist south in ways that I hadn't read before. It was horrifying to read about this community and I found myself thinking, this is supposed to be 2017?!?! While I don't see these attitudes in my daily life (particularly as a white female) I have no doubt they still exist and are very real, even in 2017 and 2024.
This story is overwhelmingly sad, but contains strong undertones of hope. James could easily just quit and become bitter and say screw the world, but instead he uses what he has to make a difference in his new community and the results are astounding. I loved every part of this amazing novel and will be recommending it far and wide.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
readingwithtrey's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I know that Black folks are whispering about a certain Mr. Jimmy from the neighborhood around the way. I know that you are creating hope in places that didn't exist before you came."
I've attempted to sit down and write this review multiple times since finishing this book. I don't always have a way with words, and I want to be sure that I do this book justice so that you will leave this review heading to find a copy of this book. It was so incredibly beautiful, heartbreaking, and real. It also gave me all the nostalgic feels! (Mr. Jimmy helps kids learn to read with the Bob books y'all!)
After a scandal that destroys the family and life that he's built, James Henry Ferguson escapes to Ham, Mississppi where he hopes to fly under the radar. Now, I had to keep double checking the time frame that this book is set in because I kept feeling like I was reading a story set in the Jim Crow south. It was not. And while we all know that racism is still deeply rooted in our society, and there are definitely places in the deep south that are dangerous for BIPOC, it was still very hard to read about. It made me sick to my stomach and my chest physically ache. But these stories are so incredibly important. And while this book is a work of fiction, it's still based in truth. Unfortunately, these things still happen.
On a lighter note, I absolutely loved the community and village that Mr. Jimmy began to build. I've always believed that it only takes one person and Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way was proof of that. What started with him giving attention to a couple of curious kids grew to him helping an entire community of children learn to read and become excited about school. What started with him indirectly helping his neighbors to put a little bit of food in their fridge grew to him helping them build something that would generate income and wealth that would be passed down for generations to come. He didn't just tell these people to have hope. He gave them concrete reasons to. It was amazing!
While the ending was bittersweet, it was very real and I could appreciate that. Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way is the story of redemption after a fall from grace, the power of love and seeing people whom society deems invisible, the importance of positive role models in the lives of children who have been left behind, and the lessons we learn in our youth that stay with and mold us into the adults we are.
ALL OF THE STARS!!! I know we're not even done with January, but this book is already one of my top reads of 2024. I cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you to Beaufort Books and UpLit Reads for my gifted copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
I've attempted to sit down and write this review multiple times since finishing this book. I don't always have a way with words, and I want to be sure that I do this book justice so that you will leave this review heading to find a copy of this book. It was so incredibly beautiful, heartbreaking, and real. It also gave me all the nostalgic feels! (Mr. Jimmy helps kids learn to read with the Bob books y'all!)
After a scandal that destroys the family and life that he's built, James Henry Ferguson escapes to Ham, Mississppi where he hopes to fly under the radar. Now, I had to keep double checking the time frame that this book is set in because I kept feeling like I was reading a story set in the Jim Crow south. It was not. And while we all know that racism is still deeply rooted in our society, and there are definitely places in the deep south that are dangerous for BIPOC, it was still very hard to read about. It made me sick to my stomach and my chest physically ache. But these stories are so incredibly important. And while this book is a work of fiction, it's still based in truth. Unfortunately, these things still happen.
On a lighter note, I absolutely loved the community and village that Mr. Jimmy began to build. I've always believed that it only takes one person and Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way was proof of that. What started with him giving attention to a couple of curious kids grew to him helping an entire community of children learn to read and become excited about school. What started with him indirectly helping his neighbors to put a little bit of food in their fridge grew to him helping them build something that would generate income and wealth that would be passed down for generations to come. He didn't just tell these people to have hope. He gave them concrete reasons to. It was amazing!
While the ending was bittersweet, it was very real and I could appreciate that. Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way is the story of redemption after a fall from grace, the power of love and seeing people whom society deems invisible, the importance of positive role models in the lives of children who have been left behind, and the lessons we learn in our youth that stay with and mold us into the adults we are.
ALL OF THE STARS!!! I know we're not even done with January, but this book is already one of my top reads of 2024. I cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you to Beaufort Books and UpLit Reads for my gifted copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Racism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Alcohol and Domestic abuse
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