What do you think?
The Angels Are Flying So Low
The Angels Are Flying So Low by Will Appiah is the follow-up novel to the critically acclaimed, The Purposeful Oliver Burke. The novel tells the story of how a seemingly ordinary African American child, born in the darkest shadows of New York City, grew to become an extraordinary gentleman who committed himself to changing the world. This story reminds readers that the two sides to every story can sometimes live on opposite ends of morality. In this thrilling sequel, we follow Oliver, a brown child born in the concrete jungle during a post-civil rights period, which also introduced the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic to New York City. As the story unfolds, Oliver’s rebellious, carefree demeanor garners the attention of a local drug dealer who exposes Oliver to a life of crime, cash, and women. Around the same time, Oliver also meets a community activist who commits herself to ensuring his circumstance does not dictate his fate. With both “angels” in positions to influence the misplaced teen, he finds himself caught between two very different paths. Unsure of which one to follow, he decides to follow his heart.
398 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 12, 2022
This story could come with a five-point harness!
A book that reads like a ride on a switchback mountain road, The Angels Are Flying So Low will remain with you long after you’ve finished reading. When this sequel to The Purposeful Oliver Burke begins, Oliver’s surname is Mahlah and he is in prison. Through his exemplary storytelling, Will Appiah explains how Oliver came to be a prisoner and how he gets out of there – out of the prison with its walls and bars and out of the prison of his environment.
Through Oliver, Mr. Appiah shows his readers how a great many children are led toward making choices they come to regret in time because, like Oliver, they are lonely and don’t genuinely feel that they have worth. More than a tale of redemption because it is more real, the boy who calls on gang members to avenge the rape and murder of a fellow prisoner grows into a man who strives to save others’ lives while still struggling with the repercussions after, years later, Oliver’s past finds him again. His attempt to burn those old bridges becomes a fire much bigger than Oliver anticipated, and Appiah’s detailed description of these pivotal moments in the character’s life held this reader spellbound.
The Angels Are Flying So Low makes the reader want, if they didn’t realize it before, the same thing Officer Moran wanted: “…to reach the end and know I did something good.”
A book that reads like a ride on a switchback mountain road, The Angels Are Flying So Low will remain with you long after you’ve finished reading. When this sequel to The Purposeful Oliver Burke begins, Oliver’s surname is Mahlah and he is in prison. Through his exemplary storytelling, Will Appiah explains how Oliver came to be a prisoner and how he gets out of there – out of the prison with its walls and bars and out of the prison of his environment.
Through Oliver, Mr. Appiah shows his readers how a great many children are led toward making choices they come to regret in time because, like Oliver, they are lonely and don’t genuinely feel that they have worth. More than a tale of redemption because it is more real, the boy who calls on gang members to avenge the rape and murder of a fellow prisoner grows into a man who strives to save others’ lives while still struggling with the repercussions after, years later, Oliver’s past finds him again. His attempt to burn those old bridges becomes a fire much bigger than Oliver anticipated, and Appiah’s detailed description of these pivotal moments in the character’s life held this reader spellbound.
The Angels Are Flying So Low makes the reader want, if they didn’t realize it before, the same thing Officer Moran wanted: “…to reach the end and know I did something good.”
December 9, 2022
This story is of Oliver Burke, the man who saved Walters life in the previous book. It is an amazing story of a kid who seemed to be getting hit by life since day one, unfortunately this is more literal at times than it is figurate. There were many times I openly wept as I read about Oliver and his life, knowing all too well this is not too far off from reality for many. We all have times in our lives when everything feels hopeless, but I feel that if Oliver can go through everything he went through and still come out in the end as the Purposeful Oliver Burke that we met in the first book then there is hope for all of us. This is what I love about the works of Will Appiah; every character goes through some of the most gut-wrenching losses and world shattering moments despite being good people at their core, and they always come out of it on the other side looking to help people and be the kind guiding hand they had in their lives yet are often taken too soon from them.
November 25, 2022
What an amazing story. The second book in this series tells us the life story of Oliver Burke. This story will break your heart, open your eyes, break your heart again, and then fill you with hope and meaning.
The author writes absolutely unflinchingly about topics that most of us turn away from. This book deals with prison, gangs, drug dealers, prostitution, murder and grief, but manages to do that while at the same time really being about love and forgiveness, and hope, and meaning, and purpose.
The characters are believable and complete and experiencing their stories and their growth is quite the journey.
You could probably technically read this as a stand alone, but it gains even more meaning when read after book 1, and I know the story concludes in book 3. I highly recommend taking the whole journey and reading the whole trilogy.
The author writes absolutely unflinchingly about topics that most of us turn away from. This book deals with prison, gangs, drug dealers, prostitution, murder and grief, but manages to do that while at the same time really being about love and forgiveness, and hope, and meaning, and purpose.
The characters are believable and complete and experiencing their stories and their growth is quite the journey.
You could probably technically read this as a stand alone, but it gains even more meaning when read after book 1, and I know the story concludes in book 3. I highly recommend taking the whole journey and reading the whole trilogy.
December 9, 2022
Getting to know the man behind the mysterious Oliver Burke in the second book of the series has been a thrilling ride. This novel is sure to take you on an emensly captivating journey. As you learn of Oliver's life, so many things come together, connecting like puzzle pieces to reveal something beautiful. The characters come to life within these pages, and makes you feel all the emotions. Dive into this book, and learn about Oliver's dicey past, his grueling pain, his unending love, and all the ones who shaped him along the way. Don't sleep on this book. It will be at the top of the best sellers list before long.
November 26, 2022
“The making of Oliver Burke”
This story is that of an abandoned baby who is forced to find his own way in the world. Oliver, the main character, makes difficult choices which change the trajectory of his journey many times. Navigating the foster care system, gang life, and juvenile detention are just a few examples. In the book you will see the best, and the worst, of Oliver Burke while he struggles to find success in life. Oliver’s core goodness makes you want to see him triumph! This is the best written book of the series and a worthwhile read.
This story is that of an abandoned baby who is forced to find his own way in the world. Oliver, the main character, makes difficult choices which change the trajectory of his journey many times. Navigating the foster care system, gang life, and juvenile detention are just a few examples. In the book you will see the best, and the worst, of Oliver Burke while he struggles to find success in life. Oliver’s core goodness makes you want to see him triumph! This is the best written book of the series and a worthwhile read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews