DO U.

by Mark S Luckie

At Morrison State University, classwork is the least of these roommates’ problems. Jason Cooper is a brilliant student whose flawless academic record is jeopardized by the tribulations of pledging a fraternity. His life is further complicated by his sudden and unexpected attraction to another male student, a secret he has no intention of disclosing to his devout Christian mother. Tyree Iversen is an out and proud gay man with a vivacity that draws the ire of his peers and the university’s conservative administration. Tyree’s battles extend to his personal life where his search for “the one” has come up disappointingly short. Cole Hill, a hotshot sprinter with a full scholarship, isn’t winning meets the way he once did. Instead of spending more time at practice like his track coach desperately wants him to, he shifts the responsibility to others. His apathy hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates or his loyal girlfriend. In his debut novel, Mark S. Luckie presents an unforgettable trio navigating life at a historically black college. DO U. is a fiercely funny and heart-wrenching tale about maintaining individuality in the face of repression.

346 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2015

Reviews

[Kenneth Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m surprised that this book and this author seem to have so little recognition, even here on Goodreads.
DO U. follows three black men as they navigate identity and life in general at a historically black university. Two of the three men are gay.
I hope Mark S. Luckie gets more attention and is able to publish more because he shows promise as a writer, and the world needs more diverse books like this one.
DO U. does feel very much like a debut novel (especially the dialogue, which veers towards clunkiness at times) and could stand a bit more editing (for typos and other minor errors). However, it’s a promising debut overall and I hope more people will read it and support Luckie.

3.75 out of 5 stars