Flipping Boxcars is a novel by Cedric The Entertainer, loosely based on his grandfather whom he never got the chance to meet. The story follows the life of Babe, a smooth operator with a talent for boxing, craps, and living life on the edge. When he's presented with a big opportunity, we get to tag along as he navigates through craps games, mishaps, trickery, and small town living.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The plot has a medium pace and the action picks up quickly. Babe is almost an anti-hero, but he still manages to make us root for him despite his questionable actions.

If you think you can predict the outcome of the story about halfway through, keep reading. The potential clichés are handled in a way that makes the story worth reading. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own. 

4 out of 5 stars for an fun read from Cedric “The Entertainer”

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Flipping Boxcars" is a captivating journey back to the 1940s, where the stakes are high and the dice are always rolling. Cedric The Entertainer, known for his comedic prowess, takes a surprising and delightful detour into the world of literature with this crime novel that's as much about the heists as it is about heart.

Set in the post–World War II era in Caruthersville, Missouri, we follow the life of Floyd “Babe” Boyce, a gambler and a man of many hats in the Black community. Babe is not just a protagonist; he's a symbol of resilience and wit, navigating through the challenges of his time with a mix of luck and cunning.

The novel opens with Babe facing a tantalizing yet perilous opportunity: an entire boxcar of whiskey. The catch? He needs to conjure $54,000 quickly. What unfolds is a tale of desperation, ingenuity, and the lengths one will go for family and community. Babe's journey is fraught with tension, especially as he deals with the ever-present racism of the era, turning the tables on those who underestimate him.

Cedric's writing is brisk and engaging, moving the story forward with a rhythm that matches Babe's own quick thinking. The novel isn't just a crime caper; it's a tribute to Cedric's grandfather and the vibrant community he was part of. The affectionate portrayal of Babe's marriage to Rosie adds a layer of sweetness and nostalgia, grounding the high-flying antics in something deeply personal and relatable.

"Flipping Boxcars" may not break new ground in the genre, but it doesn't need to. It's a solid, entertaining read that offers a window into a time and place filled with complexity and character. Cedric's foray into fiction is a successful one, proving that he can entertain us not just on stage or screen, but on the page as well.

In summary, "Flipping Boxcars" is a novel that charms with its fast pace, rich characters, and a story that reminds us of the enduring human spirit. It's a commendable debut novel that entertains and resonates, leaving readers with a sense of having taken a ride they won't soon forget.

Enjoyed the story, but the character development seemed lacking. Wanted to like the book, but didn't "connect" with the characters beyond the superficial. Didn't hate it, but probably won't read the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for free access to the e-ARC for my honest opinion.

It appears Mr. Cedric the entertainer has a story to tell. It’s an homage to his grandfather, a lifestyle that’s the stuff of legend among his relatives. We enter the world of Rosie and Babe, two African Americans looking to build their dream home and business in a segregated south. Babe knows only too well that the wrong word heard by the wrong person could get you and your family in mortal trouble. Babe has a deal to take possession of bootleg whiskey. The deal stinks, far beyond anything he could scrape together in the time frame given. Friends with the local lawman. They both have grown up in a area resistant to any change. But each respects the other, a respect that will b3 tested by the growth of the KKK in the area, and a relative missing more than one link. The deal is set , everyone is on edge, with Rosie and Babes future in the balance. It all climaxes on the Fourth of July weekend. The boxcars in the title is a once in lifetime dice term, a term that will make or break Babe’s future.

I was deeply disappointed in this book. I was able to clearly tell that the book’s voice was not a Black man. I think the story could have been told better if the c0-author was a Black voice. It did not read Black grandfather/uncle to me.

I am not familiar with the work of the comedian Cedric the Entertainer, and I am not sure how much of this book he actually wrote since there is a coauthor. However, at least he contributed the major character of the book, Babe, who was based on his grandfather.

Babe in the book is a charismatic hustler and gambler who tries to buy a boxcar full of whiskey from some mobsters and ends up in trouble. My favorite parts of the book were those dealing with the loving relationship between Babe and his wife Rosie. However, I also liked the caper-like plot at the end of the book. The backstories of the characters were a little disjointed. There was also a gambling scene that confused me, but I discovered that there is a glossary at the end of the book that would have helped me. I should have read that first. The glossary was even included in the audiobook, which is not always the case. There are 2 huge open issues at the end of the book. So don’t expect a tidy resolution of the story.

I received a free copy of the ebook from the publisher. However, I listened to the audiobook. Cedric should not have narrated this himself.

When I found out about this book I knew immediately that I wanted to read it and wow was I blown away by the writing. I was pulled into the story within the first few pages and I felt like I could vividly imagine the world in front of me like I was watching it being played out like a movie. The story was so real and I felt like I knew Babe. The ending left me wanting more so I hope book 2 is coming soon!

Flipping Boxcars is an often gritty, well written, character driven caper by Cedric Kyles. Released 12th Sept 2023 by HarperCollins on their Amistad imprint, it's 336 pages, and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats; super useful for checking things easily in the text.

This is an interesting and unvarnished tale set in the prosperity years after WWII. The main character, Babe, is an African American with all the racism and limitations that implies for the time. The author pulls no punches and it was sometimes an uncomfortable read in places. The style of the story is direct and action driven. I found the main character likeable and appealing in ways, he's certainly charismatic.. but difficult to really get behind because of his "shady" dealings and willingness to cut corners. (Full admissions, as a middle class white woman, from a place of unimaginable privilege, MC Babe and I don't have many shared life experiences).

The honesty is compelling. The storytelling is detailed and rich. It ends on a cliffhanger, which is always annoying.

Four stars. This would be a great selection for public or private library acquisition, as well as for book club selection.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Although this is not normally my type of read, I really enjoyed this book. We take a trip back in time where the author tells a compelling and emotional story in an ode to his grandfather. With a cast of characters that are not normally shown in the black community, it was a riveting ride. The surprises as well as the twists and turns had me spellbound. I could not and did not want to put this book down. It took me on such a ride, and I would absolutely watch this if it was turned into a movie. Although I do wish there was a little bit more to the ending, as far as a certain situation, the result of it, otherwise it was a delight to read this book.

Wow! What a great story. I really liked Babe as a character. He was fleshed out, had a ton of backstories between him and other characters in the book. I am invested in the outcome of all the balls he is juggling: Farm Boys, bootleggers, dice games, his family. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Flipping Boxcars was a could not put it down read for me. Floyd "Babe" Boyce, a native of Caruthersville, Missouri and WWII veteran has made a name for himself in his hometown. He is African American, married to his sweetheart Rosie, with three boys and a girl and success as the owner of a popular cafe, located in Sportsman's Hall. Oh, yeah. He is also a heck of a craps player and he has a lot of illegal enterprises going on, some connected to the mob in Chicago related to illegal booze transactions and some related to setting up illegal games of chance in the Sportsman's Hall several nights a week.. His manager, Karter, was a WWII buddy who returned to Caruthersville with Babe. He's huge, the fixer, always whining about being bored in this backwater place. Babe has local partners in crime, including Hooter, the white sheriff. There's a powerful story behind their friendship that goes back to their late teens. And now, Babe is turning forty and he has this big plan to commit one huge final illegal deal and get rich in a big way.

The characters and the town are vividly drawn in this seemingly simply written book. Except for some flashbacks, the story takes place over a couple weeks in June/July 1948. Babe is smart, lucky, in love with his wife, a risk taker, a good friend, a dangerous guy and a mess throughout. His wife, Rosie is a strong woman of character who keeps the cafe patrons in BabyLou specials and the kids on the straight and narrow. The well-crafted plot has wonderful and clever twists and turns as Babe's dealings with a new guy from Chicago cause him to take increasingly bigger risks. At times, this is laugh out loud funny. But very, very dark things happen as well. Mostly, it's about a man going through a mid-life crises that brings far too many problematic matters to a head. It ends on a note that, to me suggests a sequel. Well, YEAH!

Floyd “Babe” Boyce is a betting man, simply because he never loses. But when he puts it all on the line hoping this will be his chance to start a new life with his family, things don’t go as planned. And Babe has to pull out all his tricks to save his life and his marriage.

MY TWO CENTS:
Okay “Ceddy Bear”(in my Lovita Alize Jenkins voice)😂
Living up to his name “The Entertainer”, this book is truly that. The story starts at go and never loses speed. Babe is charismatic and charming and is loved by his community because they know he will do anything for his friends and family. The characters are interesting and diverse. The atmosphere was palpable. I wish Rosie’s character was more prominent because she was his backbone. Also because I was Rosie. I know what it’s like to be with a gambling man and that’s a gamble in itself. This is a great read and I was amazed at how good the writing was. The ending was abrupt though. Do I smell a second book?

Thank you @netgalley for ARC

I love a good story set during the post World War II boom, and add in a heist? I was hooked.

Babe Boyce, con man, booze runner, and war vet is set to make the deal of a lifetime. He just needs to play one more game. And Babe never loses.

And I liked a lot about this. Cedric is great at setting the scene. The locations felt rough and grimy and real. And the characters were diverse and well fleshed out. Especially Babe, who deals with all the harsh realities of being a Black man in the late 1940s, while also trying to build a solid life for his family. There are also some interesting character relationships that get explored.

The writing was really point by point, telling us everything that happened. And I felt that most of the flashbacks were unnecessary. But I was most ultimately disappointed in the ending. The ending felt rushed, and the major conflict of the story is left unresolved. It felt like I was only getting half of the story. I’d be interested in reading the sequel, but I’m not going to be rushing to it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amistad for this ARC.

Yes!! Cedric the Entertainer has been an influence growing up and now to see his labor of love, his side of the story in words is amazing… Such an excellent labor of love to experience. #flippingboxcars #netgalley

I didn't have very high expectations for this book, but I loved it! Babe is a charming man with a myriad of connections, from World War II buddies to just about everyone in his home town in Missouri. But one night his luck at the gambling table deserts him, and he loses not only his life savings, but the deed to the property his beloved wife Rosie saved for years to buy. Babe then conceives of a scheme so brazen that it requires him calling in every favor he's ever been owed. And who knows? It just might work.
I was intrigued to read, in the Afterword, that the main characters: Babe, Rosie, their four kids, and the town sheriff were based on real people, some of whom were Cedric's own relatives. The gambling and the schemes were products of his imagination!

Is there a "sure thing" when gambling and scheming? Babe gambles his family's stability and peace of mind. Will it all fall apart? Set during the Depression and WWII, you find yourself hoping that it will all work out!

So sorry, Cedric the Entertainer. I wanted to love this book. The gambling storyline just wasn’t interesting to me. DNF’d