Author John W. Roberts returns with moving and uplifting Black family saga ‘Remembering Gator’
A poignant tale of resilience, family bonds, and the power of memory to heal a broken home
TOWN OF UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – John W. Roberts marks his return in the literary limelight with the release of “Remembering Gator: A Black Family Saga” (published by Archway Publishing). This compelling novel takes readers on a journey of grief, forgiveness, and family unity as the protagonist, Beau Lewis, confronts the untimely death of his brother, Gator, and the hidden fractures within his family.
The book follows Beau as he arrives home expecting to honor his brother’s memory, only to find his household in turmoil. Soon, he learns that Gator was not the man he thought he knew and idolized growing up. As the story unfolds, Beau is faced with the daunting task of reuniting a family torn apart by misunderstandings, alienation, secrets and lies. His brother’s estranged son, Benji, is refusing to attend his father’s funeral because of their tortured relationship. Everyone is eager to share their stories of what happened between Benji and his father because they believe Beau is the only one who can convince Benji to change his mind. But in order to achieve this, Beau must harvest the memories of other family members — memories that will shake his view of the deceased in ways that he never would have expected.
“Remembering Gator: A Black Family Saga” presents a vivid picture of resilience, love and the strength of family bonds that hold African American families together, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Throughout the book, Roberts masterfully weaves together richly drawn characters grappling with their own personal battles, exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and the power of memory to bring healing to a broken family. The book’s realistic depiction domestic violence, bullying and homosexuality also provides insight into how prevalent these issues are for families regardless of race or geography.
“Although African American families, like all families, have their issues and problems, they rely on the love of one for the other to pull them through in times of crisis,” the author states. “I want readers to leave this story with a deeper understanding of the strength of African American families and how they have survived even through the Great Migration.”
“Remembering Gator: A Black Family Saga”
By John W. Roberts
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 276 pages | ISBN 9781665759298
E-Book | 276 pages | ISBN 9781665759304
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
John W. Roberts is an accomplished author and academic with a distinguished career in both education and literature. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Tusculum College, followed by a master’s from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. A former professor and department chair, Roberts has held leadership roles at prestigious institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and The Ohio State University. He also served as deputy chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Now an emerging novelist, his works include “Redemption: The Story of Bert and His Boys,” “With Eyes Wide Open: The Execution of Quentin Marshall,” “Chasing His Destiny” and “Remembering Gator: A Black Family Saga.”