Wolfe Insight

Perhaps the secret of a great writer is one who goes to the bone of human existence and squeezes,squishes,and mulls it over. Such is the case of Mr. Wolfe's A Man In Full.

As Atlanta, out of the ashes struggles for identity, the Wolfe character, Croker searches for his place in the new world order of the 1990's. Surrounding himself with young turks with Eastern School MBA's and a trophy wife and new baby in the backdrop of a pending bust in his life long business enterprise--Croker the Middle Ager struggles. He like the town has the appearance of glitz and glamour with a base of down home deal making. His character is on the one hand a likely target to bring down a peg or two, but his duality renders the reader struggling with his all so human foibles.

The relationships expressed by way of the educated Black Politicians of Atlanta demonstrate the care and understanding only a southern writer has the ability to convey. Not only do they know whats going on, they know how to play the white boy game and win. The writer further demonstrates his sensitivity to interracial relationships with his saguey to the Croker Warehouse in Oakland where Croker face saving decides to cut labor. More importantly, Wolfe shows in real terms the absurdity of Croker the BOSS man and Conrad the warehouseman who through no fault of his own goes from on the payroll,saving for his families move up-- to the temp office,having his car towed away,outraged for the injustice,whereby he loses his cool and ends up part of the justice system, all in the space of 48 hours.

Like T.Williams,and others, Wolfe creates dualities, he conveys he female characters in such a way that seem a bit chatty, but he likes women, particularly women with spunk. His characters are not created for great salvation nor do want for resolution, 'just are'. While I have found it hard reading in one sitting, I believe it may be one of his more real and sensitive endeavors.