NovelReviewer.com

By Pearl Cleage

-pgs: 244

I originally bought this book because it was a part of Oprah’s Book Club. I am not aware of ever reading a book that belonged to her club or knowingly choosing a book for that reason. As you can see, this is a unique case. I must admit I was quite disappointed in the book. It seemed a little too contrived. I thought it hard to believe that one family could experience all of this: Aids, a crack baby, a dead husband, two dead children, the Vietnam War, working for a drug dealer, killing two rival drug dealers, being accused of sexual assault, being held at gun point, alcoholism, and sexual abuse. It all seemed a little too much. I liked the theme of the story; it is about an African American family who is upset by the change in their small town and particularly how the younger generation is destroying the older generation. It is a good call to action; however, the end of the story seems almost too fantastic. It is basically everything resolves itself and everyone goes to the seashore for a picnic. I believe that ruins the point the author was making. Since it was part of Oprah’s Book Club, I expected more but I think I can give another one of her books a try.