Tears of a Tiger

In as gut-wrenching a book as I have read since Voigt's The Runner, first novelist Draper relates the story of Andy Jackson whose already tenuous self-esteem is shattered when he kills his best friend Robert while driving drunk. As he is burning alive, trapped in the car, Robert cries out "Oh God, please don't let me die like this! Andy!..."

From that horrendous scene, Draper relates how Tyrone and, BJ., the other boys in the car, are able to move on with life, Tyrone through a supportive relationship with Rhonda, and BJ. from finding God. But, they weren't driving, and their guilt is minor compared to Andy's.

As Draper moves us toward the inevitable end-Andy blowing his brains out with his father's shot gun-Andy's relationship with the psychologist, Dr. Carrothers, provides insight into the scars a white society can leave on a black male. He doesn't do as well in school as he could because that wouldn't be cool for a black basketball player; he sees his father as a sell out to the white establishment; he and his friends are hassled when entering stores.

In one vignette, Draper has teachers talking about how little you can really expect from blacks, and how Andy, being black, surely can't be all that upset by the death of his friend. When parting, one reminds the other that they have a Human Relations (!!!) meeting that afternoon. In another, Tyrone and BJ., recognizing how much Andy needs help, go to a school counselor who brushes off their concerns.

Andy does have all kinds of support: his coach is an understanding man; Keisha, his love, is as kind and gentle with Andy as one could ask for until even she has had enough of his tears and depression which he often hides behind outrageous behavior. But at the crucial moment when he needs them, his psychologist is flying to California, the coach isn' t home, and Keisha's mother won't wake her up for an after midnight phone call.

To fully detail all that Draper has packed into this slight book would take thousands of words. Suffice to say, not only is Draper an author to watch for, but that this is as compelling a novel as any published in the last two decades. Buy it, read it, share it.

Dorothy M. Broderick, February 1995

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