Cheekie: A Child Out of the Desire

by Clarence Nero

A day-by-day account of the life of Cheekie, a young man living in the Desire housing project, which has gone from being the pride of public housing to a world of violence and drugs. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571780637
• ISBN13: 9781571780638
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Council Oak Books
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Clarence Nero Inspires

I meet Clarence Nero on a Greyhound bus trip in the midwest. He had his manuscript for CHEEKIE with him. He allowed me to read some of it. It was well-written, honest and touching. He held that stack of papers like it was his baby. And look, he has given birth. Such an inspiring man he is. *NOTE: This book is even more relevant now in light of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. CHEEKIE unfolds in the Desire Housing Project of New Orleans. In all likelihood, that community will be razed in the reconstruction. Along with its demolition goes a community, personal histories, a place generations called home. It is all preserved for posterity in Nero's CHEEKIE. ###

Characters galore!

This book will touch the soul of all readers. From the beginning, I was immersed in the drama of Cheekie, Safot, Cheekie's mom, brothers, and a variety of other friends and relatives. From feeling sorry for Safot, happy for Cheekie's accomplishments, and scared for Cheekie's mother in her search for a stable relation, I was eventually empowered by Cheekie's life story. The child's tone of voice was life-like and made you feel as if you were experiencing challenges from a 12 year old perspective. Cheekie's success proves that whether you come from the Desire Project or any other ghetto, life is what you make of it. I wish the best of luck to this phenomenal writer!

great novel

i really enjoyed cheekie's view's on the people in his life. i felt for safot, because her mom treated her so bad. I think everyone will enjoy this book, from the perspective of a young boy coming of age.

A hauntingly dramatic and compellingly moving book

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I could not put it down. It was definitely a page turner. It delves right into the heart of the drama, chronicling Nero's life growing up in the Desire Project. The characters are authentic and literally jump off the page! From the sassy Li'l Soul to sweet, sassy Ms. Saphena, I just love these characters. It shows that no matter where you grow up, you can make it out of any circumstance--with faith and God. Best wishes to this new author who is already on a roll!

A well written, entertaining and touching book.

Told in the voice of Cheekie, a pre-adolescent child, the novel is nothing less than superb. I read Cheekie in less than two days. It is a fast read with characters that jump off the page! It begins with Cheekie at 10 years of age and follows his life until he is around 13 years-old. His father leaves the family after numerous fights with his mother, leaving Cheekie and his two siblings to fend for themselves in the heart of the Desire Projects in New Orleans' infamous 9th Ward (the worst ward in town). Mr. Nero cleverly weaves his mother, grandmother, aunt and his mother's girlfriends separate stories into a touching and sometimes comical tale that won't soon leave your memory. The novel also touches upon the effect his mother's boyfriends have on the child, his anger and disappointment. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and wish Mr. Nero continued success!