Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

Members:
The Last Election: A Novel of Politics releases today. Race, class and politics intersect in this contemporary David vs. Goliath tale set against the backdrop of Connecticut politics. Income inequality lies at the heart of a rough and tumble Senate campaign in which a young African-American candidate, John Quincy Barnes, takes on four term Senator Saul Berg.

You can preview the novel by viewing the trailer on my author page (or peeking at the synopsis pasted in below). There is also a giveaway for an autographed copy that is running this week.

I thank you in advance for your willingness to give it a look. It would be a tremendous honor to be considered for our groups reading discussion.

Best,
Gary


The Last Election: A Novel of Politics
Gary H. Collins

An election saved his life. Will a campaign now destroy it?

John Quincy Barnes doesn’t like politics.

He doesn’t like what candidates have to do to get elected. Once they get elected, he doesn’t much care for what they have to do to get anything done.

A relentless idealist, he tolerates the sexting scandals, falsified resumes and corruption trials each election cycle because knows the most important thing in the world is the outcome of an election.

He’s living proof of it.

The result of a single election altered his destiny—and saved his life.

While he routinely takes time away from his law practice at Connecticut’s most prestigious firm to participate in the political process as a strategist and fundraiser, he’s never even considered putting his name on a ballot until asked to do so by his mentor and father figure, Aidan Coyle.

Aidan, Connecticut’s most influential party boss, wants Quinn to primary four-term Senator Saul Berg to address the state’s growing crisis over income inequality.

The timing of Aidan’s plea could not be worse. At work, Quinn has just undertaken the controversial pro-bono representation of the mother of a Latino teen shot in nearby East Haven. At home, he’s struggling mightily in his marriage to his wife, Brooke, while his daughter, Eliza, and two sons, Pierce and Ben, grapple with the unique challenges of growing up multi-racial.

Quinn is forced to decide whether answering the call to meet his destiny demands that he risk everything to take on the challenge of a lifetime. And put his idealism up against the monstrous beast that is modern American politics.

See www.garyhcollins.com for more information.