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The Right Mistake: The Further Philosophical Investigations of Socrates Fortlow (Socrates Fortlow #3)
Living in South Central L.A., Socrates Fortlow is a sixty-year-old ex-convict, still strong enough to kill men with his bare hands. Now freed after serving twenty-seven years in prison, he is filled with profound guilt about his own crimes and disheartened by the chaos of the streets. Along with his gambler friend Billy Psalms, Socrates calls together local people of all r...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
October 7th 2008
by Basic Books
(first published October 6th 2008)
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Wow. This feels like it might be the end of the Socrates Fortlow saga, and what a beautiful, amazing ending it is if this is the case.
More than any series of books I can think of, these three books by Walter Mosley show the growth of a man. The change that comes to Socrates as he grows and learns over the course of "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned", "Walkin' the Dog", and "The Right Mistake" is powerful. It also always feels natural, because he nev...more
More than any series of books I can think of, these three books by Walter Mosley show the growth of a man. The change that comes to Socrates as he grows and learns over the course of "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned", "Walkin' the Dog", and "The Right Mistake" is powerful. It also always feels natural, because he nev...more
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Walter Mosely is awesome-I've read most of his books and was truly saddened when EZ Rawlins dies..Anyway--not to worry-I found a new book in Mosely's Socrates Fortlow series. In the Right Mistake-great big,powerful,ex-con Fortlow-starts a community meeting house- in the 'hood of present day LA-By invitation-Socco amasses an extremely diverse Thursday night discussion group to talk about present day life as a minority in these US. The group includes a retired Social worker,an emerging female sin...more
While I've read all of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlin's books, I had avoided the Socrates Forlow series. This is the third book in that series and reading it was a pure exercise in understanding the complexities of men and women who live outside of the mainstream of society. Socrates is nothing but a walking contradiction, a man who spent years in prison for rape and murder and who lived on the streets most of the time he wasn't in prison. Now he has a house and has pulled together people from disp...more
Mosley, Walter. THE RIGHT MISTAKE. (2008). *. Mosleyās writing is definitely going downhill fast. Take this book. It features his character Socrates, a burly ex-con (murder and rape), who has taken it upon himself to educate his fellow man about morality and honor. To do this, he uses the Socratic method ā constantly challenging their inherent beliefs that are normally bolstered by the neighborhood ethos. All well and good, but Iām wondering what audience Mosley was seeking for this book...more
A longer and more in-depth journey into the life and psyche of Mosley's Socrates Fortlow than his earlier collections of short stories, but somehow less satisfying. THe Right Mistake reads more like a man living a political manifesto -- one of Mosley's political manifesto's, actually -- than like a man living a troubled, flawed, imperfect life with meaning and purpose. Some of Mosley's moves have become predictable by now, like the white woman throwing herself at Socrates, turned on by his power...more
Socrates Fortlow is an ex-con, served his time for raping and killing a woman and killing her boyfriend. He's nearing 60 and finally becoming a man, a man at peace with himself. He starts a philosophers' club and this book explores the conversations between the various participants, all folks who live in LA and participate in the complicated life of blacks. It's raw and strong, like Socrates himself. He's not afraid of killing someone but love is another story. The iceberg is starting to melt. M...more
Wow! I really enjoyed the other Socrates Fortlow books, but this was even better. Mosley addresses race and class issues in the U.S. using what should be the post unsympathetic character -- a man who had spent almost thirty years in jail for murder and rape. Mosley's presentation of the book through Fortlow's actions, dreams, and conversations (especially with the young man he unofficially adopts) doesn't allow the reader to see Fortlow as the monster he claims he sometimes claims to be. Rat...more
I always like Walter Mosley books, and the Socrates Fortlow series have been my favorites of his works. This one is using Socrates as a springboard for Mosley's bigger philosophical concerns about race, personal moral responsibility in the face of oppression, and other issues about tolerance and violence. Mosley ALWAYS tells a good story, but I do wish he'd move away from the male fantasies about sex! My husband objected to the overdone "ebonics" that everyone is speaking, and I do s...more
(I may have told you that) Socrates Fortlow, the former murderer/rapist who, having "paid his debt to society," yet sees himself as evil, is one of my favorite characters of all time. This installment of his stories finds him creating The Big Nickel, a place which begins as a forum for "philosophical investigations" and ends as a catalyst community r/evolution. These stories are a tad self-serving (for one thing, 60-something Socco ends up with a hot, doting 20-something girl...more
Loved reading more about Socrates Fortlow, an ex-con now 27 years out of prison and his diverse and ecelectic group of friends. Socrates is troubled by the conditions on the streets and brings together this varied group of folks (a young felon, a gambler, a rabbi, a martial arts expert and others) for regular, no-holds-barred, philsophical discussions aimed at understanding each other and how to make the world a better place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest foray into the fiction of ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest foray into the fiction of ...more
Sometimes you run across a character you just click with, a character who becomes so real, so present, that he ceases to be a character and becomes, intead, your friend. Socrates Fortlow is such a character. The people who surround him are vivid and interesting. The situations and the resolutions are thought provoking. Socrates has a self-awareness and down-to-earth attituded you seldom find in anyone--real or written.
After finishing "Walkin the Dog" I missed him. Terribly...more
After finishing "Walkin the Dog" I missed him. Terribly...more
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Wow, this book took me back to my social justice work in the early 00's. I always love to read Walter Mosely and thought that he navigated the touchy terrain about social activism and racial realtions perfectly in this book. I thought his ideas about communities coming together to work through their own issues first, and therefore being able to identify the needs and challenges togethere was the very thing people need to realize in their own community.
While this book is categorized as "Mystery" by my library, it is not the typical whodoneit. As the subtitle, The Further Philosophical Investigations by Socrates Fortlow, suggests it is something different. While there is violence and the potential for violence in the story's locale, South Central LA, this is a story of a man who spent 27 years in prison for committing rape and murder and now is trying to make something worthwhile of his life.
Down to earth tale of struggle and redemption with a utopian vision of how reaching across boundaries through mindset-shifting dialogue can produce transformative change. Unfortunately change also produces fear in many and the resultant backlash can be painful and challenging for those struggling for something new to maintain their forward progress. Yet, the possibility of a different way brings hope and the envisioning of an alternate path brings it to life.
The most interesting aspect of this book is how Socrates was never able to absolve himself from his violent past. As result of his difficult childhood, inflicting violence and pain on others became his life long calling card. Near the end of the book when he is arrested for killing a police officer in self-defense, he contemplates whether living the remainder of his life in prison would be easier than living outside of prison.. the story contains a varity of intesting characters.
Oh, man. I really, really liked this. Mosley explores complicated questions of race, class, violence, police brutality, social justice, love and community through the life and musings of Socrates Fortlow. It'd be a hands down five-star if it weren't for the persistent sexism that I've found permeates most of Mosley's work. But still, I pretty much loved this. Recommended!!
I love to read Mosley's books. Once I got into the rhythm of this one I plowed right through it. Mosley has a keen sense of justice that includes equality for everyone. He incorporates it into this book, though at times it seems a bit contrived. The book is dedicated to Harry Belafonte who founded http://gatheringforjustice.ning.com/.
I love Walter Mosley. And I especially love his Socrates Fortlow books. Socrates shows us how it is done. Direct action. Community organization. Accepting people as their imperfect and fucked up selves. But calling them out on their fucked-up-edness. And all in a readable story.
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I read this book for a class on Socrates in popular culture and it was really fun to point out all of the references to the historical texts. I feel this one is the weakest of Mosley's Socrates Fortlow trilogy, but a worthwhile read regardless.
Mosley knows how to write but Socrates Fortlow is here used a little too much to express editorial opinion and less as a character in a story. He is a great character, though, as are all who populate this novel.
This was a great read. You get a feel for life in a pretty rough part of L.A. from the eyes of an ex-con. It kept me going, giving me a view of a world that is very different from anything that I have ever seen.
Walter Mosely has done it again. There's a lot to think about and discuss at the "Thinkers Club." I'm glad Socco got his thang together. This is definitely a good read. Throughly enjoyed it.
nearly plotless. thursday night meeting where mr. fortlow delivers the righteous message of self-improvement. with the usual moseley entertaining sexy detective stuff thrown in.
Always Out-numbered, Always Out-gunned/Walkin' the Dog/ The Right Mistake are all Socrates Fortlow stories. Can't go wrong on any of them. This guy turned his life around 180 degrees.
Socrates Fortlow, formerly homeless ex-con, finds that it takes a weekly dinner gathering of odd souls to change society. He pays a stiff price, though.
It's difficult to choose which of Mr. Mosley's characters are my fav, if I was forced to pick just 1. If so, it would be Socrates. I thoroughly enjoyed Always Out numbered/Always Out gunned but the newest Fortlow saga is probably my fav.
Socrates' humor, sarcasm, wit and charm bleed off the pages. The storyline is alive and it's a quick/easy read.
Socrates' humor, sarcasm, wit and charm bleed off the pages. The storyline is alive and it's a quick/easy read.
Walter Mosley is just...amazing. This book took many turns and twists and I couldn't wait to get to the end. I know all my fellow good reads friends know how much I praise Mosley. If you haven't read any by him...pick one up!
I love Walter Mosley - generally speaking. But thought less of this novel than I have of others. Maybe too much philosophizing? I dunno...
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Walter Mosley (born January 12, 1952) is a prominent American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction.
Mosley has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles; it is perhaps his most popular work.
Mosle...more
More about Walter Mosley...
Mosley has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles; it is perhaps his most popular work.
Mosle...more
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