Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain

General Fiction

By Dion Cheese

Publisher : Xlibris

ABOUT Dion Cheese

Dion Cheese
Urban author Dion Cheese is an African-American writer that penned Who Am I, The Chronicles of Cain. Formally a hip-hop recording artist, father, convict, and drug dealer, Dion was born in northern New Jersey, the 7th of 8 siblings. Raised in the inner city section of Plainfield New Jerse More...

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Description

Who Am I? is a hellifying story that is set everywhere, beginning in Columbia and ending in Chicago, yet it is written finer than a ball-point pen. It is a uniquely written book based on the world of drugs as told by the mysterious main character, Cain, who pulls readers into his world on the flip side, taking them on the hellacious journey filled with ups and downs, crime, love, and hate, as he baits the needy and the greedy hook, line, and sinker.

The book introduces a host of notorious characters: Cain, who is the topic of discussion; Scalez, who weighs out all things, mainly people's shortcomings; Roscoe "Baretta" James, the executioner representing gun violence; Lillie, the drug user who has fallen for Cain; Butters, the ruthless drug kingpin who has no remorse; Rilla, an ex-military family man who, in desperation, gets pulled into the life of Cain; and finally, Edd and Big Rich, Cain's two fallen soldiers who sought revenge against both Butters and Cain.

A uniquely blended book of urban and contemporary writing on a whole new level, Who Am I? The Chronicles of Cain is a book with a powerful message that speaks to readers of every generation. Despite the universality of its theme and message, Dion warns readers to read at their own risk. This is one book that is not for the fainthearted.

How To Write a Book in 15 Years is an inside view as to where I drew my inspiration to write my urban novel Who Am I? The Chronicles of Cain. This includes my 15 years behind bars, my short but celebrated time in the music industry, fatherhood, drugs and violence. I’d like to think I’ve emerged a better man for the effort. Having grown up primarily in Plainfield, New Jersey, my view of the world began with the harsh realities of the dark underbelly of life; the cold, calculating way that people feed on each other’s souls like hyenas on raw meat. Plainfield has often been depicted as a violent jungle in some urban books. In truth, it’s not the Wild-Wild West as some authors would have us believe, though many of their stories are entertaining to say the least. Comparatively,Potters Crossing, a section of Edison, New Jersey – where I spent the earliest part of my years — I would consider rougher than Plainfield in a way. Everyone there fought hand-and-fist like old time gladiators that fought for blood and honor with the twisted notion of someday dying a “good death.” I can’t imagine any death that’s “good.” by contrast, sections of Plainfield had evolved to have long been a place where you can get gunned down in the street. Come to think of it, perhaps it is like the Wild Wild West after all. Still, anyone can simply pick up a gun nowadays and be considered a killer. But I’ve seen many killers up close turn into cowards when they were caught without their weapons. When I decided to write a book, I could’ve written it about myself. I had plenty in my life to write about, and perhaps some time in the future I will chronicle those adventures, which were equal parts exciting, frustrating, and frightening. My life had lots of highs and lows. During the 1980s and ‘90s I was immersed in the music business: co-founding a production company and record label with my partner Bruce T. Dugan. I was featured in several magazines, met celebrities — like Wendy Williams during a private tour at KISS FM radio. I attended high-profile shows with my legendary brother Dee Jay Cheese; and hung out with many of rap’s most celebrated artists, including LL, Biz, Ice T, KRS 1, Eric B, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, and Naughty By Nature, just to name a few. Hell, if I were to tell most people the entire story behind my book, they would have difficulty believing it. Because things weren't always so rosy. I was a father struggling to support a child with an unreasonable mother, an artist trying to fulfill my own creative passions, an entrepreneur attempting to build a company, and a kid trying to quickly grow into a man struggling with what truly felt like a little devil on one shoulder, and a little angel perched on the other; neither of them ever giving me a minutes peace. In the mid-90s when my new labbel Up Front became financially tight, I gave in to the urge that I had resisted all my life. I pioneered to West Virginia and managed to build a money-making drug-selling machine that generated twenty-thousand dollars within the first three days. My new associates and I sold crack-cocaine to hillbillies, homeowners, and businessmen. Then I got pinched when I was sold out by competitors. I was sentenced to 25 years in the federal pen, so I guess it was short-term success at best. I wasn’t pushing kilos even though I could have. And I never killed anyone. I did however whip a lot of ass; shot my best friend; watched another die, and saw a lot of gun fights played out in the streets. I’d been robbed, broke many hearts, owned the niceties in life, and did whatever else in the hell I wanted. I always knew life was as hard as the prison bars that I’ spend 15 years behind. But my fall was a life-lesson a long-time coming. And during the time that passed in that cage, I pondered, I thought, I schemed, I reviewed my triumphs and my losses, my highs and my lows, the cost of it all, and in the end have chosen a new path. Upon my release I worked crap jobs just above minimum wage and slaved away pounding the keys that have evolved into Who Am I? The Chronicles of Cain. I can say that I am proud of that achievement. What in the hell did you do with your life, and what have your triumphs and failures taught you? One thing for sure: If you’re in your late twenties to early forties and you’re not handling your priorities, then all I can say to you is WTF! Get yo sh*t together!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling and keeps your interest high, September 27, 2013
This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
I don't read many books and most of the books I did read didn't keep my interest or fascinate me while reading. I can say this book did both as it was very compelling and kept me guessing. If anybody is looking for a good book with a mysterious feel to it I would recommend reading the Chronicles of Cain. It also teaches life's lessons about drug use and how it can effect your life.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Are You Ready for a Ride?, September 14, 2013
By 
K.C Blaze (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
 
This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
If you are looking for a grisly tale that will cause you to cover your mouth and shudder with disbelief than take a look at "Who am I? The Chronicles of Cain" The story starts off with a bloody telling of the death of our main character's parents. It quickly leads you down the path of mystery, betrayal and death that can only be told my a cold blooded killer hardened by past and present experiences. Cain walks his reader into a guessing game that had me on the edge of my seat. My wanting turned into a need that drove me to complete this story. I was often taken a back by the sheer graphic details of Cain's ruthless and brutal methods of murder. His name carries enough weight that grown men shudder and plead at the thought of being on his bad side. His bad side is the one place no one is considered safe.

Overall I would rate this story a must read. It isn't for the faint of heart or people with weak stomachs. You get a raw story not painted with pretty words. The author does an excellent job of igniting fear in the hearts of its reader and I often thought how I would react if faced with the very mysterious, charismatic and highly dangerous main character Cain. I loved how the author ended each chapter with a slightly poetic letter written by the main character. The only thing I could live without was the many metaphors used in the story. The story itself was good enough to stand without the metaphoric comparisons. Non the less it is a book you will want to read a few times as it has the learn something new effect many books lack today.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Go Mr. Cheese, September 3, 2013
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This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
This is an excellent book. Good read. Kept me wanting more with every page... Plainfield and myself are proud of our home breed author. If you don't have this book.... You MUST get it now!!!!

Sheila Trapp
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5.0 out of 5 stars True Glimpse Into the Darker Side of the Drug Trade, August 28, 2013
This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
As the book description says this one is not for the fainthearted. At first I found the rough language a little abrasive, as it is not what I am used to, however, it made me form a clear mental concept of the character, Cain and it shaped his character in such a real and genuine way that you end up feeling like you get a real life glimpse into the drug trade. I think that is what makes the book more like a work of art, for not only is the story of Cain, it contains many excerpts told BY him in his language.

You get an overall feeling that Cain is taking you on a journey, and through it you are getting to know him and you are witnessing these things that make him who he is.

It's like watching a documentary like Snow on the Bluff, you realize that you are being exposed to the dirty truth surrounding this lifestyle. You get a front row seat to watch how a life of drugs and crime unfolds.

If you were ever curious about the drug trade, and how people find themselves in it, grab this book and buckle up! You will be taken on a wild ride.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner from beginning to end, August 15, 2013
This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
Well written story that is so detailed you actually feel like you are there taking part in the story. The list of characters that are depicted are brought alive in these pages.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Action Pack, July 26, 2013
This review is from: Who Am I?: The Chronicles of Cain (Paperback)
I luv this book.
Its riveting,action packed and well written..
I would suggest this book to those that enjoy action packed books
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