Mama Can't Raise No Man

by Robyn Travis

Mama Can’t Raise No Man is a unique and eye-opening exploration of black masculinity. Brimming with intelligent and thought provoking ideas, it cleverly challenges different definitions of manhood, whilst remaining an engaging, witty and at times laugh-out-loud-funny novel.

The novel unfolds through a series of letters between a colorful cast of characters and the main protagonist, Duane, who despite his efforts to turn his life around, once again finds himself in prison. This time it’s on charges of intent to supply drugs and domestic violence, but things are not as clear-cut as they seem.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Novels

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2016

About the author

Robyn is author of Prisoner to the Streets which had a huge impact on publication and garnered much interest across a wide readership. The book launched to a packed out Hackney Empire and quickly sold out. Robyn is a passionate speaker and advocate for young people and regularly uses his own life experiences to try and teach, educate, and inspire younger generations.

Reviews

[Sukai Ceesay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I don't know what to say. Ends with a jaw dropping twist. It is such a easy read and it grips you from the start. I found myself laughing throughout the book (volunteer lollipop man) but i also found my self for once siding with the young black man. Thats the beauty of this book. The author gave me insight into different worlds. I hope the author realises it wasn't words he put into a book but someone's reality. That right there is a gift. It's so good i felt it deserved my 1st goodread review .

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Mama Can't Raise No Man’ is the journey of Duane as he navigates through life in penitentiary trying to discover what a man is. Through the discourses mostly written as letters between Duane, his friends and family, we explore the different philosophies of what it means to be a (black) man.

This book is touching and leaves you pondering on the harshness of life and how we learn to overcome them. The book uses simple language and urban London colloquialism while exploring important themes and issue with depth. Travis is able to create distinct characters and voices so effortlessly. Robyn Travis is noting short of a wonderful writer, a worthy read.

[Hannahtime · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The only time a man’s meant to turn his back on his child is when he’s giving them a piggy back .”

A unique take on black masculinity through a format of letters . The main character’s story was overwhelming however his uncle brought humour . I had to remind myself this was fiction as the issues explored through the story are very real .

I’m definitely keen to read Robyn’s Travis’ first book,Prisoner to the street .

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Slow start, but stick with it, there are moments in the latter half of the book that really make you reflect.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read.
This is a powerful story, the ending changed the game.

[Khamis Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Great perspective of the young black man and black men in general and their struggles. The challenges that Duane had in this book really explores many things that are important for us all to understand in these times. Loved the letter style and loved how the plot was fed throughout the novel. The ending was just FIRE.

Put certain things into perspective for me and opened up my understanding even though I thought I understood some things. Brilliant book and concept. Uncle Leroy was my favourite.

My only critism - Although I am familiar with all the places Travis writes about and because of this I can visualise these places very well however I feel for others who are not familiar may find it harder to picture Rigley Road, Tiverton, Tottenham, Broadwater Farm and attach the connotations others like myself might attach to a certain place. So a bit of description and building the scene may make this book more universal for all, not just the London black communities.

[Jim Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking debut novel told in letters between a young Black man in prison and his friends and family (with a few court transcripts.) The voice of every character is stunning, while the book is an entertaining, sometimes heartbreaking, and always deeply thought-provoking story of Black masculinity, injustice, life in prison and on the streets, and of being the child of a single mother. It builds to an incredible climax - a truly superb read.

[Cherryann Simms · Rating 1 out of 5]

Haven’t finished reading this book. I get the whole concept of it but it’s reading phone conversations between his family members, solicitors and probation officer. Not my cup of tea will not be finishing sorry

[Imjussayin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama Can't Raise No Man

In A Nutshell: Duane, a young black man is sentenced to his third term in prison. And that gives him time to reflect on his life and the reader insight into black masculinity, street life, and gang culture. It's enlightening, sad and life-affirming. The exaggeration in places does not make the story any less compelling.

The Plot: Duane Ricketts has taken the fall for a crime he did not commit this time, but his 'Younger' did. But it's the code of the road not to tell. His sentence for drug offences gives him time to reflect on his life and what he wants for the future. But breaking away from the streets is not easy. And secrets have dramatic results.

The Protagonist(s): Duane Ricketts is serving 3.5 year sentence. Duane is introspective and questions his life and environment. He's maturing. He is optimistic and has plans for the future. But life also needs a little bit of luck. And 'Oh, what a tangled web we weave…when first we practice to deceive'.

What a thoroughly impressive read. Robyn Travis has captured the spirit of being West Indian and Black British. As well as the pains of raising children as a single black woman coming from the Caribbean. Then successfully switches to tell the story from a man's perspective. And from that of young Black Brits of either sex. Travis achieves it all through a series of letters exchanged between Duane and his parents, family, mother of his children and friends. The chewy details bring the characters alive.

Duane's letters are so heartfelt that only rock will be unmoved. To the mother of his children, he writes 'I didn't know the meaning of love, and I’m sorry to have to learn love lessons on your time.' And to his absent father, that he needed him for ‘Confirmation of what a man is.'

The letters map Duane's growth and relapses. I love the relationship with his aunt. It was so easy for me to relate. It made me proud to see the family orientated culture of Black people and the loving nature of Black families recorded. It was joyful and painful to read the letters from his uncle.

But this book is not just about Duane, but his world. It was sad, almost tearful to learn how little the 50-year-olds had progressed. It was uplifting to see his awareness of the negativity of the N-word and how the street 'fam' let him down. And what an eye-opener when Duane and his Uncle discuss 'feminism.' That answered a lot of questions for me.

Travis offers readers a robust glimpse into Black boys trying to become men in modern Britain. It will make you want to both laugh and cry but leaves you with hope.

Highly recommended.

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Book Rating
Sexual Content: 16
Language: 18
Violent: 16
Would I read the next one or reread?: Hell Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre

[Peat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is almost more like a treatise than a story. It tells the tale, through letters and phone transcripts, of Duane Ricketts; a young black man from Tottenham doing his third stretch inside. Those conversations take us through his inner turmoil as he tries to work out where he's gone wrong and what he needs to do to be right, with a particular emphasis on what it means to be a man and how he's meant to be one when his dad walked out. The story is of Man vs Himself, and that gives a certain slow moving philosophical bent to it. This isn't a ripping yarn.

It is entertaining though. Travis has a knack for a great turn of phrase, such as Duane's apology to his baby mama: "I didn't know the meaning of love, and I’m sorry to have to learn love lessons on your time." The slow build up of the Whys and the Consequences of Duane Ricketts' life is enthralling. Even when it loses the balance and becomes a lecture it's interesting. The ending didn't give me everything I wanted, but it did give me one great twist and some real emotion.

The real juice I got out of this thought was the thought provoking nature of it. Ricketts' world is completely rooted in black culture. Everyone writes and talks in patois and slang; everybody talks about the concerns they face as black people that whites don't. That doesn't make it inaccessible to a pale male though, or make the concerns about how masculinity fits into this changing world monoculture. Of course a lot of it is about a world that's not my world. I'm not sure I actually understand that world better than I did before I started, but Travis' clarity and passion makes me think I do. Makes me want to.

And gave me a good read regardless which is the main thing.

[Darius Daruvalla-riccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read from a perspective that often gets overlooked. The format is entirely letters that the main character sends and receives while in prison (as well as a few call transcripts). This creative approach was carried out well and made the book interesting.
The characters feel real and they express real takes on real problems. These revolve around the challenge of figuring out how to be a good man with the complications of growing up fatherless, poor and exposed to gang culture while being black British. The way that the main character discusses this issues with many different types of people means that you can see them from all angles including the causes and effects.
The ending was a bit like the contrived game of thrones ending. There were several characters that had been built up for a long time with a lot of realism who were awkwardly forced to wrap up their ending in a flat way just to bring it to a close. The changes sort of made sense but just happened too quickly to not feel awkward. If it wasn’t for this, I would have given it 5 stars.

[LitGirlLiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just under 4 stars, rounded up. This is a thoughtful epistolary novel written from the perspective of an incarcerated 25 y/o man, Duane, who is serving his third prison sentence. The letters back and forth from Duane to his friends and family wrestle with the complexities of single parenting, manhood, drug culture, family, and gender roles. The book sets up great conversation, making it a terrific book club choice. Towards the end I found myself looking for more plot, but this is a necessary and timely read.

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written. Fresh format and voice that brought a story I felt I hadn't seen from this particular angle. Adept rendering of black male perspective as it relates to incarcerations, familial bonds, and responsibility. Would love to read more by this author

[Miss Laverne Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Couldn’t put it down. The format is gripping and it touches on topics that need to be discussed and taught. The messages were powerful and important for both sexes to reflect on. We need more books like this on a range of intellectual levels.

[Amy Ashenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read, the characters have still stayed with me. It felt very real - I highly recommend this!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasnt expecting the layout of the book but it works!

[J B C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a amazing.
Really is a good eye opener and a great read from start to end.

[Emine Esperanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the prison letter template style book however I wanted to read something at the end

[Tray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What amazing read, highly recommended as it was deep, emotional and invigorating. I didn't want to put the book down.

[Eleni Charalambous · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the epistolary format of this a bit tiring and thought it made it harder to engage with the characters. On the other hand I appreciated the court transcripts; the book would have benefitted from more of that. I wish it were a bit shorter, the repetition takes away from the punch of the plot. The story was good enough, the writing better, the cover excellent.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is powerful and perception-changing, the kind of book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
I am amazed that the author managed to convey such a deep and emotive story through letters and transcripts alone; this could have made the narrative bland but instead it painted a picture so vivid that I began to feel like each character was a friend, someone I knew intimately. Each character had depth and changed subtly as the story progressed but without losing the essence of who they had been in the beginning.
The book deftly explores issues such as black masculinity, gang mentality and being raised by a single parent. There are multiple different perspectives taken by different characters, who also change their minds at times or wrestle with conflicting ideas, making it feel realistic instead of preachy. The main character draws some conclusions towards the end of the book, but there is no great moral message, more a collection of well-presented ideas and thoughts for the reader to mull over and maybe find out more about.
It really is a very clever and I highly recommend it.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's well written with a unique style and nuanced perspective. It provides a good insight into the challenges that young Black men in the UK, many from disenfranchised communities face today. The letter format is a nice stylistic choice, although the pace isn’t always great. It’s thought-provoking; dealing with gang culture, toxic masculinity, poverty and familial responsibilities in Black communities.

[Shalisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was riveting! The characters are so vivid, so personified you swear they are in the room interacting with you.  The author is able to conjure up a melting pot of emotions within you, from sadness, to shock, to deep belly laughter. This is the second book by the author - Mr Travis is definitely one to look out for! 

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story told from a often silenced perspective. Its narrative that felt very familiar a great read!

[Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a deep read.