Always outnumbered, always outgunned (edition 1998)

After reading this book, I feel as if I knew the character of Socrates Fortlow better than some of my own friends and relatives. Mosley's seemingly simple, straightforward prose is powerfully evocative and multilayered, leaving much to reflect on. The sense that this is an honest expression of authentic experience is pervasive even though that experience is so unlike my own that I have almost no points of commonality with which to validate it.

These separate but intimately linked narratives depict a man putting all he's got into living right after having lived very wrong. Their clear-eyed disclosure of the ordinary and the sublime in a man's everyday struggle to preserve and fulfill his humanity inevitably holds a mirror up to the reader. As the very best stories will do, I felt that this book changed something in me. ( )

What a man Socrates is. Tough life but he puts it out there and tries to prevent others from going where he went - this man has a strong moral compass. Beautifully written without sensationalizing. ( )

Having read a later book with the same character first, I wanted to go back to the beginning. This book introduces Socrates Fortlow. What an incredible character. With hands strong enough to break rocks, he is still gentle enough to run to the aid of an injured dog. Socrates is an ex-con who is trying to live right despite the heavy burden of guilt he places upon himself. He is a picture of a man who has paid his debt to society, but not necessarily to himself.

This is a gritty, urban tale that shines light on a lifestyle and places that most of us, comfortable in our urban existence, won't go to. ( )

My first Walter Mosley book. It was outstanding. I'm already reading the next one in the series, Walkin' the Dog. ( )

I really enjoyed these short stories. They center around Socrates Fortlow (named Socrates because his mother thought it would make him smart), a convicted murderer now released from prison after 27 years. He lives in Los Angeles in a poor black neighborhood. He provides guidance for those who seek it from him. It seems most people seek him out as a tough to help them, but his words are wise and violence is never an option for the neighborhood's problems."you stood up for yourself Darell", Socrates said. "That's all a black man can do. You're always outnumbered you're always outgunned." "But they're still gonna come after me. They still wanna get me." Darell said. "Well, that's right" Socrates agreed nodding."But now you stood up. Now you've done your best. And you don't have anything to be sorry for ever again in your life." "Well, how's that gonna help me?" "You've done your job, Darell, now leave it up to me."...."I'm saying," Socrates said, looking the old man on the eye, "that killing' ain't no answer for civilized men. I'm saying that being right don't wash the blood from your hands."..."...we don't want nobody who can't stand up to what's got to be done." Socrates said. "And just what is that?" Howard asked. "Well, what's the biggest problem a black man has?" Socrates asked as if the answer was as plain as his wallpaper. "Black Woman" Right said. They all laughed, even Socrates. "The police" Said Howard. Socrates smiled. "There always trouble at home too, but they ain't the problem, not really." "So, what is?" Stony asked. "Being a man. That's what. Standing up and saying what it is you want, and what it is we ain't gonna take." "Say to who?" Right said. "The cops" "I don't believe in going to no cops over something like this here." Socrates said. "A black man, no matter how bad. Being brutalized by a cop is a hurt to all of us. Going to the cops is like asking for chains." ( )