A powerful and moving journey that takes us beyond the streets of Houston's 5th Ward and into the mind of a young black boy. This gripping tale explores the struggles of a boy who is trying to find his own identity outside of his abusive brother and biological father.
It is a captivating story that delves into the
complexities of a personality disorder formed under the influence
of a mother and older sister. The story takes you on an emotional
journey where you witness the strength of the human spirit in the
face of adversity. Along the way, you will encounter seeds of
manipulation and deceit that add to the plot's intensity. Join us
as we reveal the struggles and triumphs of the human mind in this
must-read tale.
Nehemiah is going through a difficult time as he grapples
with his self-worth. He finds himself questioning his abilities and
constantly comparing himself to others. Despite his successes, he
can't help but focus on his imperfections and
shortcomings.
"I hate living like this, riding that pissy bus, eating sandwiches for dinner every day, and you have to work two jobs to keep the lights on. We shouldn't have to live like this," Nehemiah said, standing in front of the refrigerator, holding the door open and becoming more frustrated, looking at lunch meat, two cheese slices, and half a gallon of spoiled milk.
"Look, my baby, you and your siblings have never been
without food or shelter. Yes, I know we may struggle at times. Our
apartment isn't in the best condition, and on rare occasions, the
lights are out for a week or two, but most importantly, we have
always had love," Trina said while standing in the kitchen
doorway.
"I hear you, Mom, but love doesn't fill my stomach at
eleven when I'm alone in this raggedy apartment. Love doesn't chase
the roaches out of the kitchen. Love didn't make the one thing in
the world that a little boy needs to stick around. I don't need
love. I'll settle for a family. A family that stays around and
takes care of their responsibilities. Besides, I can make one phone
call, and our lives will completely change. You wouldn't have to
work two jobs. Bailey would have money for school, and Rickey could
have money for his new family. I don't understand why I can't just
take the money they offer. If I were homeless and a man gave me a
hundred-dollar bill, I could have taken it, but because I can run,
jump, make buckets, and score touchdowns now, I can't receive the
same charity and assist my family. I'm just tired of being poor.
I've been poor all of my life, and now I finally have the chance to
be rich, and these people are over here telling me not to take the
money," Nehemiah explained.
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After reading Terrell Latchison’s first book, “Nehemiah the Narcissist”, I was surprisingly impressed. Latchison demonstrates a skill that is often reserved for those students of prose and literature that are recognized within their formative years as potential authors. Often, there are stories that are untold due to the inability of the storyteller to write. However, it has been my experience that some of the greatest stories never told can be published when the author is motivated by life experiences and suppressed emotions. One of those unique individuals, Terrell Latchison defies the odds through an amazing first attempt at writing, producing a literary treasure, “Nehemiah the Narcissist”! There are several factors that contribute to the quality of “Nehemiah the Narcissist”! As a writer, Terrell Latchison is obviously inspired. These include real life anecdotes, information snippets, interesting facts and for more ambitious work very detailed knowledge about a field. This gripping story is a demonstration of his ability to listen to people because the best stories always come from real people that one comes across at work, in life. Surely, Latchison could not have written in such specificity and detail if he himself had not made use of impactful life experiences. Another factor that contributes to the book’s success is the author’s ability to create scenes that place the reader within the story. Beyond simply telling a story, Latchison’s imagination becomes the reader’s reality, transcending time and space. To describe anything vividly, the author must be able to observe and visualize. A good writer must have a powerful imagination and should be able to see the entire story unfurl in front of his own eyes before presenting it to his readers. That is how Terrell Latchison made everyone take the often spiritual journey within the mind of Nehemiah Johnson. From the very beginning of his story, we could relate to the elementary classroom, smelling the chalk and hearing the voices of and feel the anxieties. One of the winning characteristics of “Nehemiah the Narcissist” is that it makes us feel for the characters. As we read, we connect with the characters and it gets deeper as we move forward. We feel their pain as well as their happiness. Latchison is able to arouse empathy toward his main characters in the minds of the readers. This story starts from the seed of a basic idea as well as true life. This idea was nurtured, enhanced and fleshed out to get the complete story. As a result, he has created something that is unique and worth reading. Every piece of writing goes through some editing. Often through a separate editor. But even before it reaches there, it is clear that Terrell Latchison is able to work on it himself in making the necessary corrections. As a gifted writer he knows when to stop, when to exercise restraint and when to take the reader more in depth. He understands that his attachment to the story does not compromise his ability to deliver a story that is pure. Finally, in reviewing “Nehemiah the Narcissist”, I would say that Terrell Latchison has successfully created a literary vehicle that has accomplished what many seasoned writers have not been able to do. As the reader experiences this human metamorphosis, Nehemiah Johnson’s transformation into narcissism, there is a valued life lesson to learn. Nature and nurture are the critical variables that make us who we are.
Ron Blanchard