Reviews of Charles L. Chatmon’s Books

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"Intriguing novel that explores the competitive world of High School Track & Field. It depicts the coming-of-age of several top tier AA track team members. As the novel goes inside their personal lives, it deals with topics that focus on God, relationships, and revenge. Great read!!!"

" The author's writing style is such that you walk away feeling as if you know each of the characters like old friends.

I've always been a fan of track and field athletes, but until the advent of social media their private lives have been a lot less than scrutinized. Nevertheless, I always wanted to know what made this brand of athlete tick. Track and field is intense and the athletes themselves are very strong and powerful, but one imagines that they must be equally as vulnerable in other areas of life.

Each of the star athletes and their loved ones are equal parts strong and vulnerable in this novel. It is left up to the reader to decide who he or she wants to root for, and they will likely finish the story feeling hopeful and inspired."

"Ask an American who has never been out of the country about Ghana and he or she will tell you about Ghana (or their perception of Ghana). Ask a Jamaican about United States, and they will do the same. Ask someone from Florida about what it’s like to live in Alaska and they’ll tell you what they think.

Some of what they say may be accurate, some of it not. We have all seen movies that are supposed to be set in specific cities, but those who live there know some of the landmarks are out of place, non-existent or from another city altogether.

So, how can we get a real feeling for life in another place—a place we have never visited or may never visit?

When it comes to South Central L.A. Charles L. Chatmon takes us there by way of his book - STORM OVER SOUTH CENTRAL.

When I purchased this work, I thought it was purely a book of poetry, but found to my surprise and delight that the piece is so much more. Storm Over South Central is a collection of poems, thoughts, asides and short stories that all paint a picture of life in South Central in general and the world of the author specifically. Mr. Chatmon’s prose is tight without pretense, and at once straight forward, but said with a kind of diplomacy that has become far too rare in the present world. It is obvious he is a man of deep passions, emotion and thought while still being what could be deemed in the vernacular a “stand up” guy. You in no way get the impression Mr. Chatmon is some kind of pushover.

Along with being well written, well thought out and his positions (as it were), well defended. Storm Over South Central is filled with thought provoking nuggets of truth and wisdom. One may or may not agree with everything in the book, but this much is certain—after reading the final sentence. You will definitely have a deeper understanding of life in South Central and have a more rounded sense of the difficulties and triumphs of life there.

Charles L. Chatmon is your pilot, and he does an excellent job navigating us safely through the: STORM OVER SOUTH CENTRAL and into blue skies. Any library that does not have this work as a part of it can’t help but be somehow incomplete.

I am very much looking forward to his forthcoming Novel, RELAY which is coming sometime around the end of this year (2022)."

"THE VOICES OF SOUTH CENTRAL poetically paints the emotions and issues of the

South Central section of Los Angeles. Charles Chatmon tackles many topics in

this volume of verse, which uses the often controversial and misunderstood

location as its muse.

Politics, racism, love, and discrimination are a few of the featured themes.

Written with stark sensitivity and style, the poems give a poignant and real

view of life and the circumstances that people face. Reading THE VOICES OF

SOUTH CENTRAL will erase "The Boys In The Hood" thoughts of South Central and

replace them with thoughts of hope and inspiration."

Reviewed by Diane Marbury

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

"I met Charles Chatman on several occasions and let me tell you, his book The Voices of South Central flows with the same authenticity and affection that it does when he's speaking to you in person. He touches your heart with poems like "Happy Anniversary" and "Enjoying Us for the Moment"; after reading "Happy Anniversary", you'll truly appreciate "Enjoying US for the Moment". He also makes you think with poems like "Blue Rag, Red Rag, White Sheet" and "Death Wears a Different Color". The Voices of South Central teaches you that "Not Everything Is Negative" in South Central Los Angeles. And instead of LOOKING DOWN on the people there who are still enslaved in society, LOOK AROUND because "There's More Than One South Central in our Country". 

"The Truth Shall Bring Him Peace In The Voices Of South Central author Charles Chatmon really speaks from the heart! He speaks from the heart, the soul and the inner beauty of a Black Man!! The Voices Of South Central takes us through love, self hate and a need for Positive World Changes!!! The truth shall bring him peace(for sharing) and caring about God's people!!!"