The Novel That Gets Real
David O. Otebele’s Altruism is a straight-up knockout. Set in the gritty reality of 1990s New York, this book isn’t here to sugarcoat anything. It’s real, it’s raw, and it hits you hard in the gut before picking you back up with a message that sticks. From the very first page, you know this isn’t just about survival—it’s about transformation. What starts as a story about street violence, drugs, and family dysfunction turns into something deeper: a movement powered by one word—altruism. And honestly? That’s why it’s worth your time.
Otebele doesn’t play it safe, and that’s why Altruism works. He takes complex, messy, human stories and turns them into something gripping and meaningful. You’re not just reading a book. You’re stepping into the lives of people who are trying—really trying—to claw their way out of a broken system. And what keeps them going isn’t revenge or rebellion—it’s compassion.
“Mayo then said, ‘You know me, Webster. No death, no surrender.’Webster said, ‘Mayo, this is not a threat to you, but I want you to know that if you do not stay the fuck away from me, your motto will become reality.’”
— Altruism, Chapter 4, pp. 20-21
Inside the Streets of New York
This story centers around the Peterson family—three siblings whose lives have taken drastically different turns. Davily, the oldest, has it together: a college degree, a solid job, and a steady girlfriend. Webster, his younger brother, isn’t so lucky. He’s deep into drugs and hanging with a slick-talking dealer named Mayo, whose motto is literally “No death, no surrender.” And then there’s Faith, the youngest, just trying to figure herself out while dodging the wreckage around her.
What makes Altruism stand out is how it slowly reveals that even in the middle of chaos, there’s still hope. Davily believes in his brother, even when no one else does. And Faith? She experiences her own trauma that launches her into this philosophical rebirth—choosing to live for the benefit of others, despite everything she’s been through. From street brawls to intimate conversations about race, education, and broken systems, this book gives you a full spectrum of what it means to live in struggle—and still try to do better.
The real curveball? A rap song. Yeah, a rap song called “Altruism” goes viral in the story, pushing this underground word into the mainstream and turning it into something way more powerful than just a concept. It becomes a way out. That shift—from chaos to consciousness—is what sets the book apart. It’s not a fantasy. It’s a mirror.
Who Wrote This? Let’s Talk
David O. Otebele is a resident of Seattle and a social worker with the State of Washington Social Welfare Administration. He holds a B.A. in Public Administration/Government and an M.A. in Political Science. Outside of writing, David stays active—he enjoys reading, jogging, exercising, and refereeing local soccer leagues in Seattle and its surrounding areas.
What It Leaves You With
Altruism doesn’t just tell a story. It starts a conversation. The characters stick with you, not just because of what they go through, but because of how they try to rise above it. There’s something brutally beautiful about a book that can explore drugs, assault, teenage pregnancy, and broken systems—and still leave you hopeful. If you’ve ever looked around and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this novel might just give you the language to express it.
Altruism
A Novel
Grab your copy and walk into a story that refuses to let you look away. This book invites you to question, to feel, and to believe in something bigger than yourself.