Boys

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By SM Harrison

Roger Newman's Boys is a masterful examination of the enduring scars of America's racial history, as well as brotherhood and identity. This novel is extensive in scope, and it is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights era, World War II, and the Jim Crow South. It chronicles the interconnected lives of Pete, a White boy, and Alex, a Black boy, who are raised as brothers on a dairy farm in North Carolina and are brought together by tragedy. Their narrative is relevant in the present day, as it is characterized by emotional depth and historical precision.

Newman's prose is both unflinching and evocative, capturing the intricacies of a racially divided America through the lens of a deeply personal relationship. Pete's and Alex's perspectives are alternated throughout the narrative, offering a multifaceted perspective on their shared experiences and individual challenges. The storytelling is enhanced by the dual narrative structure, which enables readers to fully comprehend the societal forces that influence and complicate their relationship.

At its core, Boys delves into themes of systemic racism, identity, and the resilience of human connection. From childhood to adulthood, the novel illustrates the impact of segregation and discrimination on the characters' lives, confronting the harsh realities of these forces. Nevertheless, Newman's depiction of Pete and Alex's unwavering commitment to one another in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience of brotherhood and the potential for unity in a divided world.

The emotional impact of Boys is profound. Newman's characters' journeys are distinguished by poignant moments of heartbreak, courage, and hope, and they are intricately crafted. The novel does not hesitate to depict the brutalities of its historical settings, but it also offers fleeting glimpses of redemption and the enduring power of love and friendship. Readers are left with a more profound understanding of the personal repercussions of racism and the capacity of individuals to transcend societal limitations.

Roger Newman has developed a captivating narrative in Boys that is both emotionally resonant and historically significant. It is an essential read for anyone who is interested in delving into the intricacies of human connection, identity, and race in the history and present of the United States. Newman's novel serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring influence of our shared history and the connections that can unite us despite the most profound divisions.

About the Author

Roger Newman

Roger Newman, M.D. is a novelist, academic Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist  and member of the faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Newman  is a tenured Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maas Endowed Chair for Reproductive Sciences. Dr. Newman grew up in Columbia, S.C. and attended Seton Hall University in South Orange,  New Jersey. He returned to South Carolina to attend MUSC and stayed in Charleston for his residency training in Ob-Gyn. He followed his residency with a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and the Cardiovascular Research Institute. Dr. Newman then returned to the academic faculty at MUSC where he continues to practice.

Roger Newman, M.D. is a nationally known leader in Ob-Gyn; selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America” by Woodward and White each year for the past three decades. He has been a South Carolina Chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, President of the South Carolina Ob-Gyn Society and an editor for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Newman was the national president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and served five years on the Scientific Advisory Board for the NIH-NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network. He has written more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 20 book chapters. Dr. Newman is considered an expert on the care of women with twins, triplets or higher order gestations. He has written the multiple gestation chapters in most of the major Ob-Gyn textbooks and co-authored a book entitled Multifetal Pregnancy: A Handbook for the Care of the Pregnant Patient. Dr. Newman is a co-author with Dr. Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein of the best selling and award winning book When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads.

Roger Newman is married and has three exceptional children. He and his wife Diane live on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina. Besides medicine and writing, his other passion is sports and his other “job” is coaching the women’s varsity basketball team (Raptors) at the Academic Magnet High School, and the Sun Devils at the Charleston Collegiate School. He serves on the executive board of the JLP Foundation working to make year-round basketball education accessible to all student athletes in the Lowcountry while emphasizing the importance of nutrition and social competency.