Garden's Corner

I read Garden's Corner cover to cover and I must say that as an avid reader, I was immensely impressed. Mr. Reed's portrayal of good versus evil and his contrast of light versus dark took on a different dimension in the eyes of Little Speedy Copeland. Garden's Corner is a novel about relationships, comparisons and contrasts all through the eyes of a very intuitive teenager.I was blessed to have an exclusive interview with the author to gain some insight regarding his genre. Mr. Reed's ability to capture and contain the urban voice and viewpoint without exaggeration was evident in the persona and character of Speedy Copeland. As I read, I was reminded of the similarities of The Catcher in the Rye. However, Garden's Corner set on the stage of the Burrough of Brooklyn took a panoramic view of an urban odyssey of a teen with an "edge" in life. I highly recommend Garden's Corner for anyone who has a desire to know firsthand how children with an "edge in life" survive and perceive the world in which they live. Mr. Reed's narrative was truly inspirational and thought-provoking. Mr. Reed, thank you for sharing Little Speedy Copeland and his Urban Odyssey with us.

Somewhere in between J.J.Evans and Theo Huxtable lie "Little Speedy Copeland" Speedy is an intelligent and imaginative young man who comes from a strong working family living in Brooklyn. Like many urban areas, Speedy's neighborhood has an area that is forbidden to law abiding citizens. It's in the "Dead Zone" where Speedy's life dramatically changes. Speedy invites us on a journey that takes him away from the "Dead Zone" to the deepest part of the south and along the way he discovers and confronts some of his misconceptions, fears, and reality. The story has a compelling effect and it keeps the reader cheering for Speedy's cause. "Garden's Corner" is a great book for adolescents and adults. It gives the adult reader a glimpse into the minds of young men. Enjoy!

The story reminded me of a modern day Huck Finn. Douglas S. Reed is a superb writer. While reading Garden's Corner, I found myself at times feeling like I was intruding into the life of Speedy Copeland. The language and content were so vivid that I found myself exploring my own inner feelings about love, marriage, friendship, and all the other issues that young Speedy was grappling with during his journey.

I've read several books on friendship in my life. Most notably, "The Friends" by Rosa Guy. I would put this book in league with hers. This book differs however in that the friendship portrayed is Garden's Corner takes the reader on a dark ride into how friendship molds and shapes our behavior and destinies, enabling us to deal with life's challenges with the omnipotent knowledge that "we are not alone." Little Speedy Copeland, a very lovable and vulnerable character, took me along on his personal and yearnful journey into self discovery and acknowledgement. Through his various observations, of friends and family, of life's many ups and downs, I was compelled to re-evaluate my own. I liked this book very much because it moved me without an overdose of sentimentality. I trust my heart strings and they're generally unaffected by pretentious nonsense. This book came across as a truly honest work of exceptional depth, despite some of it's sophomoric ideas, and sometimes claustrophobic atmosphere. It was well worth the read. I look forward to future works by Mr. Reed. Don't make us wait to long!

Garden's Corner is a book that everyone should read. The book allows the reader to see him/herself in the characters. It teaches you many of lifes great lessons in terms of family and friendship. Little Speedy Copeland and his grandmother, Miss Pearl, are characters whom you can relate to. Through Little Speedy's encounters you learn that no matter what trials and tribulations you have gone through you should never give up. You should look forward instead of dwelling in the past.