Good books keep READING. Good reading keeps me COMING Back. First off, I read some wonderful books over the summer break. I took a break from the mystery/thriller world and read some literary fiction. Here is a run down:
SUGAR by Bernice L. McFadden:
In language that is by turns lyrical and stark, and with a cadence that invokes the rhythm of the storytelling to which she grew up listening, Bernice L. McFadden brings vividly to life a 1950s Southern black town. Sugar, her first novel, is a powerful exploration of the sometimes unrelenting depths of grief and despair, the seeds of hope that can grow in even the bleakest of circumstances, and the role that love and friendship can play in helping us find redemption within ourselves.
I do not know where I have been. This book was a GREAT read. I fell in love with SUGAR LACEY as I read this page turner. The only reason I did not finish this book in hours was because I have to go to work. But it could have easily been done. McFadden kept me wanting more and more. She fed my soul with her beautiful storytelling abilities.
THIS BITTER EARTH by Bernice L. McFadden:
The sequel to SUGAR. Born out of wedlock and raised by Sara and May, two sisters who run a brothel in small-town Arkansas, Sugar returns one freezing winter night nearly dead, her belly sliced open. The stalwart sisters stitch her up without asking too many questions, but Sara, troubled by conscience, finally reveals what she knows about Sugar’s parents. Bertie Mae Brown was a shy young woman in love with Joe Taylor, an itinerant railroad worker. Their love triggered inexplicable jealousy in Shonuff Clayton, a handsome, dangerously unstable man who also happened to be Sara’s lover. What Sara doesn’t reveal: She was the one who collected a few strands of Bertie’s beautiful hair and Joe’s sweaty handkerchief for Shonuff, who then paid an obeah woman to put a curse on Bertie and Joe and all their descendants. Bertie gave birth to Sugar after Joe moved away and married Pearl Taylor. But Joe couldn’t escape the curse: his daughter Jude was murdered.
After reading SUGAR, I was determined to find out Sugar's fate. This book provided the examinations of Sugar's live. He faith that she developed in herself and the warming caring family she always wanted.
WENCH by Dolen Perkins-Valdez:
Each year, Lizzie travels with Drayle to a resort in Ohio for the summer, spending her time catching up with her friends Sweet, Reenie and Mawu. However, this isn’t an ordinary vacation – all four of these women are slaves, but also mistresses to their masters. In Wench the reader learns about the plights of these women, their fears and doubts, but also their hopes and dreams of freedom.
I found this book NYT Bestseller very interesting. It shared the link between history and fiction. It was well-written and entertaining. I found it very interesting that Reenie actually felt love for her master and did not want to run away from the resort. This book shows the psychological issues of slavery.
Raised by an alcoholic, Shay finds it hard to forgive her mother’s past neglect but that is exactly what her mother is asking–forgiveness. Shay returns to find her mother has made a transformation. Nona is now an employed homeowner replete with Martha Stewart living, a healthy lifestyle and a flower and herb garden. She is also the mother of another daughter, five-year old Sunshine. Shay watches as her mother is the epitome of motherhood as she dotes on Sunshine, something that was lacking when Shay was a child.
This book was a GOOD read. I couldn't wait to see when and where Shay would really tell Nona how she felt. And guess what? She did it at a church. Really? Yes! I guess when "your heart gets heavy" you have to "let go." This book was made into a LMN movie, Sins of the Mother. This story tells of a young woman who finds herself while finding her new-changed mother. God can change anybody, that's what I think about when I describe this book. Forgiveness is a very important theme in this book. Will Shay forgive Nona? Read it yourself!
The MOVIE!!
I ask that you support these authors and other African American authors. Keep them writing.
Always,
B. LaShera GLAZE
