"A Different Drummer" written by William Kelly is a fictional story that illuminates a real American topic. The topic of racism and finding self identity communicate the historical socio-culturial differences between Black and white lives in America. Kelly uses the subject of racism in everyday life to expose the subconscious minds of both Black and white america (this, the quest for idenity for both races). This story touches on the mental effects that life in America imposes on society. For white and Black America, William Kelly's "A Different Drummer" uses the real life topic of racism to dig deep into the cultural acceptance of Blacks society. Kelly tells this story using a fictional slave narrative in a non-linear voice to express the events of this novel.
This novel is set somewhere in the deep south in the early 1960's. The Black and white races are clearly seperated. These races exist together only as a function of society. White Americans and Black Americans know no more about each other than that of themselves. Whites in the south allow their ignorance to convince themselves to understand the other race through their efforts of folktale and misconceptions. A white character, Mister Harper, tells a story of a great African who was massive in size, strong, and dominant with independence. As Mister Harper tells this story to his peers who are mental and physical oppressors. We (the reader) are exposed to the mentality of the white community. The difference in Black and white culture, and the lack of wanting to respect and understand each other, perpetuate the confusion and rage within each race.
It is understood that the main character is Tucker Caliban. He is a quite man who finds himself through time and evolution (this is his quest for idenity). It is a feeling inside his soul, it is a feeling inside his peers souls that tell them that the way they are treated by whites in the south is totally unacceptable and will never change. It is Tucker's independence and realization of self that allow him to manifest the strength to cut off his relationship with the white south. This novel shows that the awakening is not limited to only Tucker, but it extends to all Black people in the south. It is a universal awakening that allows all Blacks in the entire state to rid themselves of their mental and physical bondage. Consequentially, the whites in this community contiue their lives in the same ways, mentally unaware of what is really taking place. The whites only observe the exodus of Blacks. The white community has yet to realize the situation, yet to visualize their violent ways. It is this hate and this rage in the south that ignite this cultural-socio awakening. It is this awakening that will continue to fuel enlightenment and independence within the Black community as the drum continues,as the drum beats on,,,,drum,drum,,drum,DRUM,,,,D R U M,,,,,,,,,,,,

Different Drummer set in a fictional Southern state is a story about a former slaver, Tucker Caliban who is a descendent of a legendary African slave. Tucker Caliban a black Southerner burns down his home and his fields seemingly for no good reason and then packs up his family and personal belongings to head North. Consequently this event leads to a revolution and several blacks in Tucker's fictional town start to follow.

This story continues the African American slave narrative genre by including the element of "storytelling." Kelley uses a nonlinear plot sequence folk aesthetic to portray this powerful story about the Civil Rights Movement. The setting of the story is a rural setting and the story is told from the perspective of several different whites and former slaveholders. Also adding to the power of the story is the use of nonstandard English/Southern dialect.

The major themes of this book are slavery vs. freedom and also the quest for identity. Throughout development of the plot it became clear that Tucker had a clear motivation for his rebellion. Tucker Caliban's journey from the South is about searching for his true self, his identity as an African American without the remnants of slavery associated with living in the South. The story brings in the viewpoint of several characters including his former slavemaster and a character by the name of Reverend Bradshaw who becomes mixed up with Tucker Caliban's rebellion and is used in the book as a scapegoat. Kelley's writing style and careful plot make this a very interesting read.

This is one of the most deeply imaginative, powerful books that I have ever read. William Melvin Kelley, clearly a master of the English language, gets right to the heart of the human spirit, in all of its bravery and its desire for dignity. It is the story of one man's leadership and impact. This novel will make you want to rise up and strive to make a difference in your life and in those of others. It is a haunting tale that will stay with you long past your first reading.

I origanly thought that this book was part of Stphen Kings Dark Tower series that delt with Roland the last Gunslinger, which by the way is my absolute favorite series of books which I think everyone should read! Anyway, this book just sucks, the plot is horrible, and as I said the name is deciving. JUST A WARNING, you could have saved a little starving ethiopian for pennies a day, than buy this garbage they call a book!

When I saw the first review that was posted, I thought a little correction was in order. This is a reprint of a book that first appeared before Stephen King had even begun to publish. The title has nothing to do with Stephen King and there is no reason anyone should think it does. This is, in fact, one of the most innovative novels of its time, and we are lucky to have it back in print. In you are at all interested in complex narratives about musicians, this is the novel for you. Heck, I bet even Stephen King would enjoy this book. William Melvin Kelley is among the most important African-American novelists of the post-World War II era, and this book ranks among his finest.