New England White

Maybe I have "delusions of grandeur" but I really wish I could hold my own, modern day "salon" which is talked about more in Palace Council than Mr. Carter's other two books. You MUST read these books as a trilogy about the lives of some of the most influential upper-class society who happen to be of the "darker nation". If you read Palace Council first (which isn't what the author intended, obviously)but it will take you back to the begining of the interaction of some of the characters. It is the book that goes back farthest in historical times, it gives you a feel for some of the most important characters and whatever their deal is. Emperor of Ocean I'd say to read next because it takes place next in the chronology. It is the story of one of the Garland family members who is barely mentioned in Palace Council, but who turns out to be more important than the man who is mentioned, Matty Garland and his son Kevin. So, the Emperor of Ocean Park gives a view-point of Matty Garland's nephew, by an unidentified brother of Matty's. Lastly, New England White puts us into the 1990's. So, when you finish reading and going back and forth thru the 3 stories that are taking place around and in the time period from 1952-1996. I hope this helps.

I must admit that I am not much of a fiction afficionado, however, after becoming familiar with the non-fiction work of Stephen Carter (as referenced in Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal) by Randall Kennedy, I decided to read New England White. What a treat. The author provides an expansive and detailed look at the issues of power and control. There is a great deal here with regard to the nature of secrets as well as trust and betrayal. Some have commented that the book is too long, however, I would definitely weigh in with those who were impressed by the complexity and character development. The story line is decidedly non-linear, however, the author reveals just enough information regarding events of the past within the story to keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat. I am now looking forward to reading some of Stephen Carter's non-fiction work. Highly recommended.

I rarely read mysteries because they're too formulaic and there's rarely enough charater development. New England White, however, was one of the most intriguing novels I've come across, a rare mix of economic theory, conspiracies and counterconspiracies and social commentary. I loved the clue-hunting, puzzle solving parts, and Carter's trenchant and quietly devastating observations are terrific. The Graham Greene-like suspense rarely lets up, nor does the fond but unsentimental depiction of New England.

"New England White" is a worthy sequel to Stephen Carter's "Emperor of Ocean Park." Both books describe the powerful, rich, upper-class Black population in the U.S., practically unknown to the 'paler nation,' or 'Causasians,' as Carter's characters describe white people. In the process, he offers sharply accurate descriptions of many different types of people - scientists, scholars, librarians, liberals, radical leftists, townspeople, non-upper class Black and white people, and, best of all, university professors. He gets the professors so well you have to laugh while grimacing. I don't know how billionaires act, but based on Carter's description, I just may have a clue now. His prose and typography is perfect. I've gotten so used to bad grammar and spelling and poor proofreading, that I almost forgot how exquisite and well-crafted prose can be. Also, for word-lovers, he throws in some words you have to look up, my favorite: 'larid.' I had to stop from time to time to read aloud to my spouse the perfect sentences scattered throughout the book. Here's one I loved, describing 'nighttime snowy woods' --"Chittering, sneaking animals, whistling, teasing wind, cracking, creaking branches -- there is plenty to hear, except when your Escalade is in a ditch, the engine hissing and missing, hissing and missing, and [hip-hop music] still yallowing from nine speakers." What I liked best about the novel were Carter's on-target social observations - the state of public education, the atmosphere at Black celebrations, and the world of politics and political operatives. He shows how unthinking repetitions of political mantras, can and do shut down active rational thinking. You WILL be educated when you finish this novel. The plot? Oh, right. Um, it starts out pretty well, but gets too involved. I lost track of who had done what to whom for what purpose. Of course, that could have been because I couldn't put the book down and didn't finish it until the wee hours!

This is a wonderful book. The writing is so beautiful you want to savor every word. Half way through the book, I tried to read more slowly because I didn't want it to end, but I honestly could not put it down.