This Can't Be All There Is

About the Book

This Cant Be All There Is chronicles a brief period in the life of Craig Epperton. Cee, as he is called by family and close friends, is a young, African-American, professional, gay man who grapples with the statement (or question) which is the title of this novel. As the tale spins, Cee meanders through the routine he halfheartedly accepts as his life. He has good friends in Janda and Jason. Janda is his boss at one of the most prestigious schools on the east coast. She is also his confidante in any and all matters. Jason is his newest friend in Anacostia, the fictional city where the plot develops. Cee also seeks refuge in the local gay establishment. Crystal´s is the hub of activity for Anacostia´s gay/lesbian community. The club´s owner and operator are Armistead and Coleman. These two are Cee´s acquaintances who discover that they´d love to be in love (with each other!). The cause of much of Cee´s bewilderment  centers around his desire to live the type of life that brims with excitement and allure. He, however, faces the constant frustration, despair, and resignation that accompanies the incessant wail of the nation´s current top R&B tune. The song, This Can´t Be All There Is, is poorly performed by the daughter of a radio station executive who quite obviously did not do well in college. Cee´s introduction to his own dilemma occurs through the lyrics of Shayla´s song. While Cee deals with his loneliness, desires, fantasies, and lack of courage, his family and friends continue to function around him. Coleman and Armistead are getting closer and closer at Crystal´s. Jason is having an affair with Mac Johns, the town´s council president. Janda is running her pristine school and has her sights set on finding Cee a good man. Cee´s mother plays an important role in keeping him focused and stable because of her own personal health circumstances. The sex partners Cee meets on an Internet tryst and just outside the train station in New York will simply have to be explored. This Can´t Be All There Is promises to be a humorous, poignant, entertaining, and eye opening encounter in reading; especially for those who are willing and able to identify and those who are willing and able to read between the lines.A sequel to this raw and romping story entitled, "And Then Some More," is currently in production. Look for it soon!

About the Author

Larry C. Lumpkin is a Special Educator who teaches English and History at a Baltimore, Maryland educational center. An education honors graduate, Mr. Lumpkin’s first enthusiastic writing effort, This Can’t Be All There Is, taught him more than he could ever teach his students.