Jeffrey Blount

This wasn’t the book I was expecting. There was very little I liked about it – and some things were just exasperating. I didn’t find the reason for James Henry Ferguson (Mr. Jimmy)’s self-exile to a small town in Mississippi believable. Without any spoilers, let me just say the author’s portrayal of James’ wife, Rebecca, was just strange – and unrealistic. Why did this male author think he could write about a woman’s sexual issues when it’s obviously not something he has personally experienced?

Themes of wealth and poverty, racism, friendship, marriage.

I was expecting a warmhearted and redemptive story, and instead stopped reading after 100 pages, soon after the graphic description of a brutal assault.

I can’t recommend this one.… (more)

Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way is my new favorite book of 2024. Inspirational, funny and completely endearing it definitely pulled on my heartstrings. James Henry Ferguson has had a spectacular and humiliating fall from grace. He decides he must escape His Washington D.C. home and flees to a small rural town in Mississippi called Ham. He purchases an unseen home and has it repaired so he can hide in solitude away from social media and the press. Unbeknownst to him he has purchased this home in the most severely poverty stricken area of the county and does not realize it until he takes a walk down the dirt road it resides on. Horrified by his neighbors housing conditions he sets out to try to help his new community. It does not go easy. There is much racial prejudice in this area of the country, and he being a Black man albeit a billionaire he is met with many roadblocks. But Mr. Jimmy, as he is now known in the neighborhood perseveres and in the process begins to heal his heart. This book was a joy to read and had me laughing and crying throughout. Well done to the author Jeffrey Blount. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars.… (more)

Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way by Jeffrey Blount is a feel-good novel about redemption, giving of yourself, assisting others, and empowerment. It is very highly recommended literary fiction.

James Henry Ferguson is a billionaire who made a mistake that was spread across social media and ruined his reputation. His wife, Rebecca, and daughters aren't talking to him. Neither are his father, a minister, and his mother. What he decides to do is flee and return to a simpler life. He buys a dilapidated house he sees online, has it fixed up for him, and moves to Ham, Mississippi. Once there he realizes he is now living by a community of abject poverty that is called "Around the Way."

He becomes known as Mr. Jimmy and he immediately recalls lessons his parents taught him about giving of yourself and helping others less fortunate. He establishes a relationship with his neighbors, beginning with Miss Septima next door . He begins to help the children both is giving them paying jobs for a sense of responsibility and accomplishments, and helping them improve their reading skills. He tries to do more but the community of Ham is controlled by racism and a leader who enjoys his power and using it against people.

Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way is a novel that tugs at your heart strings while covering topics that seem hard to believe are still issues today. Mr. Jimmy is a great character and his heart is true. His immediate urge to reach out and find a way to help his neighbors is commendable. Even though he is trying to find redemption and make amends for an error and fall from grace - a departure from his moral integrity - he really does care about his new neighbors.

Once I started reading Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way, I was totally immersed in the novel and could barely stop thinking about the characters before I could get back to finishing it. It is that compelling and it will hold your complete attention throughout the entire narrative. While reading, I felt like I was there, experiencing Around the Way, the poverty, the families, the kids. The fact that literacy opens up a world of opportunity and a path to all sorts of other learning is something I am passionate about.

There is a measure of suspension of disbelief that is required for complete enjoyment of the plot. Certainly having something go viral on social media is believable, however, it is a bit of a stretch to think Jimmy's fall from grace would be as huge as depicted, especially considering Rebecca's problem and actions, and that this would send him off to do penance in rural Mississippi. And it is convenient in so many ways that he is a billionaire who can immediately do things to help. 4.5 because this is such a feel-good novel and the ending is satisfying.
Disclosure: My complimentary review copy was courtesy of Beaufort Books via Edelweiss.
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