Scan barcode
kristensreadingnook's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
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
4.25
“I know that Black folks are whispering about a certain Mr. Jimmy from the neighborhood around the way.”
When James Ferguson hits a rough patch in his marriage, he finds out the hard way how one mistake can destroy many lives. Trying to leave his shame behind, he moves to a little town in Mississippi but soon enough his past catches up to him there too.
Mr Jimmy from Around the Way is a story of hope amidst destruction. It shows us that one person can make a difference just by loving others.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Read if you like:
Themes of hope and forgiveness
Books that don’t shy away from hard truths
Stories of resilience
Thank you Uplit Reads and Beaufort Books for the gifted copy.
When James Ferguson hits a rough patch in his marriage, he finds out the hard way how one mistake can destroy many lives. Trying to leave his shame behind, he moves to a little town in Mississippi but soon enough his past catches up to him there too.
Mr Jimmy from Around the Way is a story of hope amidst destruction. It shows us that one person can make a difference just by loving others.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Read if you like:
Themes of hope and forgiveness
Books that don’t shy away from hard truths
Stories of resilience
Thank you Uplit Reads and Beaufort Books for the gifted copy.
nextfavoritebook's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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
lisagray68's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dawnshaee's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
It’s a story that places you as the reader in the throes of poverty, specifically in America’s Deep South from the vantage point of a billionaire — a Black billionaire. The main character, James/Mr. Jimmy, is accustomed to his wealth and stature, not in an obnoxiously arrogant and entitled manner but as more of a humanitarian worldly view “I have more money than I could ever need”.
He’s left to confront his position of power after fleeing from his problems in DC when he “loses it all (not the money of course)”, landing in a dilapidated Black community in a small town in Mississippi. A community that has nothing, not even proper plumbing or government assistance. It is a challenge to sit with and dissect stories that depict very real Black American struggles, but I thought the very bold tie in to Mr. Jimmy’s path of redemption is a tale of possibility when community is at the forefront.
Although James/Mr. Jimmy is our main character, the character arc of the people “around the way” was the most commendable, especially Fountain and the children. I think once someone becomes a billionaire, trying to shake their financially ego driven behaviors (communication/self-righteousness/compromises) is hard to overlook and by his age are second nature.
There are some aspects of the story that I wish we received more closure on or details about, which resulted in a 4.5 star rating rounded-up. To avoid spoilers, I’ll keep it brief — Rebecca’s health/lack of open communication & that flashback to the conversation James had with her mother, Jabu’s mother Patrice & the use of those photos, and the overt community racism.
Thank you to Beaufort Books for an advanced reader copy!
I’ll continue to think of this book, the themes, the characters, and what it means to tell the story of what is possible when we connect with our neighbors to use the resources we have to build.
He’s left to confront his position of power after fleeing from his problems in DC when he “loses it all (not the money of course)”, landing in a dilapidated Black community in a small town in Mississippi. A community that has nothing, not even proper plumbing or government assistance. It is a challenge to sit with and dissect stories that depict very real Black American struggles, but I thought the very bold tie in to Mr. Jimmy’s path of redemption is a tale of possibility when community is at the forefront.
Although James/Mr. Jimmy is our main character, the character arc of the people “around the way” was the most commendable, especially Fountain and the children. I think once someone becomes a billionaire, trying to shake their financially ego driven behaviors (communication/self-righteousness/compromises) is hard to overlook and by his age are second nature.
There are some aspects of the story that I wish we received more closure on or details about, which resulted in a 4.5 star rating rounded-up. To avoid spoilers, I’ll keep it brief — Rebecca’s health/lack of open communication & that flashback to the conversation James had with her mother, Jabu’s mother Patrice & the use of those photos, and the overt community racism.
Thank you to Beaufort Books for an advanced reader copy!
I’ll continue to think of this book, the themes, the characters, and what it means to tell the story of what is possible when we connect with our neighbors to use the resources we have to build.
More...