Satisfied with Nothin'

by Ernest Hill

Chronicles Jamie Ray Griffin's transformation from a naive young athlete to college football star at a newly integrated college to hard-driving, cynical adult determined to succeed despite the opposition of whites and the complacency of African Americans. Reprint.

Paperback

Published December 16, 1997

About the author

Ernest Hill won great praise for his first novel, Satisfied with Nothin’, which made its way onto required reading lists at universities from UCLA to Syracuse. He is also the author of A Person of Interest, Cry Me a River, A Life for a Life, and Family Ties. Hill lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Dave B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Ernest Hill's first novel. Because of that fact there are two aspects in this story that I find common for most first time novelist. First, the negative aspect is the simplistic plot. Overall Hill’s plot for the story was a little thin and felt oversimplified. Summary of the story (without spoiler): Jamie has athletic talent in the Jim Crow south and so he rises and falls in response to the environment and his own sociological scares. This first point makes the book ‘ok’ at best and hard to connect with the supporting characters at its worst.

The second aspect was Hill's use of the novel for exploring his own opinions regarding college sports and their abuse of the athletes. This part of the writing carries the book to 4 stars easily. Hill uses the characters to talk about the need for athletic scholars to take advantage of the free education and help advance their community. He also writes about the fact that these athletes are important as long as they play while this is a limited time, they can use their fame and influence to create social changes or help communities. However, injury or age limit their ability and the individual is thrown out in the cold without any remorse or appreciation.

I would urge every single parent to take this book and put it before their son or daughter before they run off to a fully funded athletic scholarship believing that the world was just laid out before his or her feet. It better to learn now of the potential downfalls rather then latter and regret everything.

[Halida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 'helluva' novel, I must say. I'd like to give it 3.5 stars.
The themes of racism, education, equality, and brotherhood are all written nicely. The proportion of each theme as well as the atmosphere is good. It's just the ending that I'm not sure of. Would I prefer an open-ending, or that one is just fine, I'm not really sure.

[Balinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I just did not like the way it ended.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was not what I expected when I started, but felt very real and tragic at times, especially the end.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan! Stan! great read (seriously)