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Published: August 1, 2002 The
Emperor of Ocean Park: A Complex African American Yale Law Professor Stephen L. Carter was paid by publisher Alfred A. Knopf a $4.2 million advance for "The Emperor of Ocean Park" along with his next novel. This is one of the highest advances paid for a first novel. Bravo for Professor Carter. He deserves every penny of the advance and more. "The Emperor of Ocean Park" is a complex and memorable novel. The main character Talcott Garland is at the pinnacle of his career. He is a brilliant African American professor at a prestigious law school. Talcott is a doting father to his three year old son. And he adores his wife who has been nominated by the President as a federal circuit judge. On the outside, it appears that Talcott has obtained the American Dream. However, in reality, Talcott's life is far from ideal. Talcott's marriage is failing. Because his wife Kimmer overspends, their finances are in shambles. Nonetheless, Talcott refuses to take any action. He suspects that his wife Kimmer is having an affair with her law partner. This is evidenced by her so-called long business trips with her law partner. Yet, Talcott is afraid to confront his wife. Talcott is in essence a wimp who needs to take a class in assertiveness training. Talcott is the son of the ultra-conservative former Judge Oliver Garland. Years ago, his father was slated for a United States Supreme Court appointment. However, because it was exposed that Judge Garland was associated with underworld figure Jack Ziegler, he was forced to withdraw his nomination. When Talcott's father suddenly dies of a heart attack, Talcott's sister Mariah proclaims that the Judge was murdered by Jack Ziegler. The autopsy shows otherwise. Nonetheless, Mariah is unconvinced and feels that the Judge's death was the result of a conspiracy plot. When Talcott is confronted by unsavory characters about the arrangements that his father left, Mariah's theory no longer appears to be farfetched. However, Talcott has no idea what the arrangements are, because he and the Judge never discussed this matter. He later discovers a cryptic note left by his father. He is perplexed by his father's note. And in fact, he is wholly unprepared to tackle the task of finding the arrangements. Nonetheless, Talcott embarks on a journey of discovering the meaning of his father's note. Talcott loses himself in a seemingly endless maze, which threatens his life, family, and career. When family secrets, politics, and race collide, Talcott is beaten both mentally and physically. Talcott later recovers and uncovers the ultimate clue to the coveted arrangements, with a surprise ending, Professor Carter has crafted a complex and memorable novel that will be the talk of the nation. Reviewed by Gayle Tiller. Ms. Tiller is the author of the mystery novel, "No One Is Innocent". Click
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