Neglected Souls

This is by far the most interesting masterpiece I've read all year. It captivates not only the mind and body, but also the soul, as suggested in the title. This book is uncontrollably addictive and easily received by most.

Katrina Johnson grew up in a strict household with very religious parents, after being raped at 14 and turning up pregnant, Katrina is kicked out of the house by her father. Alone on the streets with a baby, Katrina moves from shelter to shelter until one day she meets Tony. Tony sweeps Katrina off her feet, and she begins to fall head over heels. She has no idea what Tony has in store for her. He uses her love for him to convince her to sell her body to support them and their "lavish" lifestyle. Soon, Katrina begins to see there are 2 sides to Tony, and after becoming pregnant with her second child, Tony throws her out. Homeless with 2 children to support, Katrina quickly blows through the money she saved and once again, must sell her body to support them. Soon, Katrina gets mixed in with the wrong man. A man who turns her onto drugs. Now, an addict, Katrina struggles to support her habit while neglecting her children, Nina and Jimmy in the process. After Katrina commits murder, she is sent to prison and Nina and Jimmy must now fend for themselves. Nina is determined not to allow her or Jimmy to wind up in foster homes. The children grow up and despite their troubled childhood, begin to put their lives back together until a repressed memory comes back to haunt them .....a memory that leads to murder. Neglected Souls is the gritty, heartbreaking story of 2 children who survive sexual, physical, and emotional abuse to make it despite the odds stacked against them. Richard Jeanty has written an touching story with unforgettable characters.Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks.

Although the story is not ghetto, I named this review "A ghetto triumph" because of what Nina and Jimmy had to overcome in their lives. Every adversity they faced was dealt with in a progressive manner and as a result, they became productive adult. This story is very moving.

This book was actaully an acquired taste. I think more African Amaerican need to read books like these. Katrina gave way for her kids to flourish after realizing that she had failed them as a mother. It was one of the hardest part of the story for me. I enjoyed the book throughout and the author has a bright future.

I'm at a loss for words. This book is probably the best book that I have read since I became a reader. The struggle of Katrina is very relevant and most of us have come in contact with someone who has fallen victim to drugs, but the twist was the fact that her children didn't follow in her path. Mr. Jeanty has written the best story of hope for the hood since Alice Walker. Great job and i look forward to reading the rest of your books. Please don't stop writing.