It's not really a novel.
The book is a collection of stories that amount to an extended character sketch of
Socrates Fortlow, a middle-aged man who spent half his life in prison. The stories are
set in mid-1990s Watts, and Fortlow (like his ancient namesake) is in search of virtue
and self-knowledge. The stories describe his gradually greater involvement with the
community and his efforts to make his life count for something good.

Fortlow's conversation with an old couple who ran a bookstore in a nearly abandoned
Watts strip mall is a significant glimpse of the book. Fortlow speaks first:

"They let me go 'cause all I did was kill black folks. 
They don't think that black folks are worth a whole life 
in a white man's jail. But I wasn't cured. I was still mean 
an' still confused. You know my main problem was that I 
was never sure what was right. You know--absolutely sure."

The Minettes both stared. Socrates was certain that 
they weren't afraid of him.

"But you did change?" Oscar Minette asked.

"Comin' down to your store. Listenin'...An' watchin' 
you two just sit back and lettin' it all happen. It was 
like I was seein' through your eyes. I'd let my mind be 
smilin' an' carin' 'bout people when I knew that they 
was wrong. Somehow watchin' you made me see myself. 
You know what I mean?"

"You're a good man, Mr. Fortlow..."

"Why you say that, Oscar?"

"Because you know...that there's something good in 
the world...and you want it."

"What good is this you talkin' 'bout?"

"Purpose, Mr. Fortlow. Purpose. We're all here for a reason. 
There's a divine plan. Good men want to find their place in 
the plan. That's you."

The book is full of such ruminations and the actions that Socrates Fortlow
takes in his attempts to find good and be good.

This is an inspiriting book. It's a thoughtful book and I highly recommend it.
It's in the library. It's on the bookstore shelves. Find it and read it.