Baggage Claim: A Novel

by David E. Talbert

Heralded by the press and millions of theatergoers for his eleven wildly popular musical stage plays, five-time NAACP award-winning playwright David E. Talbert leaps onto the publishing scene with his debut novel, a big-hearted story about friendship, family, and the relentless pursuit of love. Baggage Claim gives you a first-class peek into the wacky world of Montana Moore, a thirty-five-year-old flight attendant with enough baggage from her past relationships to fill an entire Samsonite showroom. Montana is an incurable romantic. A dreamer. The kind of woman who has her head in the clouds while her heart splatters swiftly to the ground. With her mother having just tied the knot for a record-breaking fourth time and her baby sister, Sheree, rushing to jump the broom, five-time maid of honor Montana is dangerously close to becoming not only the oldest, but the only woman in her entire family never to be married. Having convinced herself that there's no way in heaven or hell she's showing up at her sister's Christmas Eve engagement party without a prospect of her own, Montana concocts her wildest and most romantically ridiculous plan a thirty-day, thirty-thousand-mile trek in search of a husband. Will it be Damon Diesel, a young hip-hop producer whose motto is "Making the green scream and the dolla holla!"? Or will she win over the Reverend Curtis P. Merewether, pastor and founder of Greater House of Deliverance, Tabernacle of Praise, Worship, and Miracles? Of course Langston Jefferson Battle III, superattorney turned city councilman, needs a wife now that his sights are set on the United States Congress. Or perhaps her lifelong mate is Quinton Jamison, a multimillionaire textile guru twenty years her senior. Only time -- or the lack of it -- will tell. Fasten your seat belts, lift your tray tables up, and prepare for takeoff. Our final THE ALTAR!

Genres: Romance, African American, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Taadhameka Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was terrible. If you like character development then look elsewhere. I kept wondering why I was supposed to be rooting for this flight attendant to find love when she was a man crazy, self obsessed shell of a human being. The only thing she ever talked about was getting a husband. It'a all anyone in the book talked about.

I still don't understand why it took her the entire book to get married. She had no personality, no desires and no personal attributes that didn't directly relate to trapping a man. I don't think she ever completed one action - eating, sleeping, going to work - unless the end result might get her married. Then she finds three and claims 'oh I'm not in love, I can't marry him' WHY NOT! He's alive, he drives a nice car. It seems like it should be enough for a character whose only long conversations ever happened in her own head. SHe just needed a husband as a nice accessory to get her family off her back.

He uses sports metaphors frequently in the book but gives no indication that this character likes or watches sports of any kind. All the women in the book seem to only care about about Montana Moore finding a man, why they care I have no idea. Every man was described in excruciating detail when it came to the car he drove or what he was wearing or the house he lived in or the sex they had. However, personality seemed to be the one thing the Mr. Talbert had a problem writing. He also like to repeat phrases over and over again to build some type of climax, but it just left me feeling like I was listening to the worlds most boring spoken word.

Just a terrible book. If you're looking for anything past sassy, neck snapping, man obsessed banter with travel and repetitive turns of phrase; look somewhere else.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

The writing style of this book would’ve been the biggest crime but the story itself is also bonkers. The way the author introduced and described characters was just awkward and plain weird. If you told me an AI wrote this solely one r/menwritingwomen as reference material, I would believe you. Throughout the book the main character also goes on absolute wild tangents in her inner monolog and we are presented to some metaphors in this book that I really want to forget but that were driven so far into the ground I can’t.

Now the story, Montana must be colorblind because every single man she tries to get with waved giant red flags and she was so focused on getting herself hitched that she refused to see them until it was too late.

Overall I would’ve liked it a little more if her final romantic partner would’ve been weaved in a little better and their relationship had been given more time and development, while she was chasing the other men around the country on the side.

[Donna’s Book Addiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

The humor and laughs in the story is outrageous! It was enjoyment to read this tale. This book will make you laugh out loud. Some of the disses they traded back and forth will have you wiping the tears from your eyes because you will laugh so hard. I know some of what happened in the book is far fetched, but it's the work of fiction, so you should know not to take certain things to seriously. This is a good fun book to read. There were many clichés as well as sentences that rhyme (pg. 182)

'Once in the city, fancy cable cars we hopped while city fashion windows we shopped, until finally back in the hotel lobby on an old leather sofa we flopped. We were exhausted from the long day.'

The dialogue of the characters intertwined with the proposterous plan of finding a fiance' by flying through the friendly skies will keep you reading this book from cover to cover. It sort of had a typical ending. It is definitely great stage writing.

[Ash Winbush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, from beginning to end. And if you're listening to the audiobook, Kim Fields rendition is the funniest narration I've listened to this year. The story itself is dated. Women aren't running to look for love or a husband left and right, but it's an entertaining book if you take it light heartedly.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Girl, no.

[Mindy Rubelmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty lame, characters were unlikable. Maybe the movie is better?!?

[SassyMama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Book with a Familiar Story

This is the first book that I have read by the author.
Interesting read. Not the best novel I've read, but it had a interesting plot and flowed nicely. I enjoyed the book. It gives you something to think about (how family and society view unmarried women over the age of 25). However, I thought that the characters were not developed as much as they could have been. But nevertheless it was a good story with humor. Many of the women I know have dated one or more of the types of guys in this book.

[♡*WithLove, Reesie*♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish the book, because I couldn't root, sympathize, or support the main character. The whole time i kept wondering her real age because she was making young and immature choices influenced by things that didn't support the strong independent woman she was trying to portray. I was frustrated with her in this adult novel, but may have been a little more forgiving if she was the main character in a young adult novel. I personally expect teenagers to make the decisions this character made, which made me disappointed in the book.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a decent read (listen)... I may have felt different had I not already seen the movie. But as always there are variations between the book and the movie. I found myself comparing as I listened to the discrepancies. The book was written humorously but with some touching, heartfelt moments, I got that vibe clearly and could picture some of the scenes vividly from the movie. I feel like it was a lighthearted and cute read that was also entertaining.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Montana trying to find Mr. Right but she had already had dated the guys she was chasing after to find Mr. Right in. She had a lot of baggage and she continue to accumulate baggage through the book. If you are a reader like myself, you already knew who she was going to end up with. But in all the book was fill of laughter.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A flight attendant has 30 days to find someone to bring to her younger sister's engagement party. Te ending is predictable but it was still a good read. The author managed to put a funny twist in all the scenes. The 2 best friends and the mother are hilarious and add some laughs to the story. Overall a light, funny and good read.

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd chic lit book i have read. and it was a blast! very funny specially with Sam and Gail spicing up the pages.

very detailed inputs for a male author being a female main character in the book. funny and cute.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so glad my Ladies Night group didn't chose this book for our Book and a Movie. If I had read this book, my score probably would have been lower. However, this was a BOCD and the reader Kim Fields made the story!! She was in true form with her characters!

The basic plot was predictable.

[Meiwilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny but a bit dragged out.

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an audiobook...it was very funny. I enjoyed it.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining book....looking forward to the movie.

[Kacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't even know how to process this book. Or anything.

If you ever need a new way to describe oral sex though, this book may be worth your time.

P.S. underwater tomb

[Kiesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although It was easy to guess the ending. I still really like the story, and i'm looking forward to seeing the movie.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diverting

[New York Texan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was disappointing and I could not finish. The MC was self-absorbed, but at the same, time weak and passive as she does not stand up to terrible men while, of course, ignoring the "good guy". All she ever talked about was dating/marriage; very one dimensional. The worst part--author has his "good" characters use the R-word nonchalantly to disparage the MC's intelligence. It was gross- clearly not used as a character device, but seemingly the author's natural voice. Too bad his editor didn't see anything wrong with using this term either. Also, he uses a character with a stutter as a comical device. This author needs to educate himself on women and people with disabilities. I couldn't finish this book and I don't recommend.

[K. Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a funny book and an easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was and am now ready to enjoy the movie. (I'm one of those watch the movie AFTER you read the book type of people). I think this author was skilled in his writing technique. Pretty predictable ending and a little far fetched, but hey, it's fiction and it was a pleasure read after too maby drama books. I liked it. Just wish the ending wasn't so far out there.

[William Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Montana Moore, airline stewardess, has a month to find a husband so that she can present him at the engagement party for her younger sister. Her friends, Gail and Sam, help her to identify and connect with four men from her past that are the “pool” from which Montana may choose. A bit of light reading, well written, enough plot twists and crazy antics to keep the reader’s interest. (Published in 2003)

[Maddy Onken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baggage claim is fashion and romance book.

[Twana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Baggage Claim had alot of humor. I thought Montana spent to much time looking for mister right. The men that Montana was going to meet in each state, where successful,gooding looking,and too many flaws . They where just set in there own ways and thought Montana should fit in to their lifes. I'm glad Montana realized that the only person who loved for her was standing right in front of her all along. She just needed to forget about what her mom and everyone in her family was talking about. A woman being a spinster for the rest of her life. Why do society say you have to be married and have kids to be happy? Some of the miserable people in the world are the married ones. Most people don't know what true love is are even commited to staying in love. I think love is a beautiful thing and can be cherished.

[Taryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Caution: The movie version was better! I thought this was going to be funny, but a lot of this read like erotic fiction in the worst possible way. Eww! The sexual descriptions in this book made me want to gag! I really could have done without it. I didn't understand why the delusional heroine was quoting the bible and praying to Jesus as she was having sex. I didn't understand why it was necessary. Also, some of dialogue was unintelligible.

[Stephanie Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was sent this book from my book club and I wasn't too thrilled when I read the jacket; I mean how many times can authors write about a woman's quest to be married? However, I dove in because I am trying to put a dent in my piles of books and I was surprised. Montana is a likable character and I even found myself laughing with her during some of her escapades. Bottom line is this is a dessert read. Something you get sent as a monthly selection but not something from the world of academia.

[Ernest · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very light yet amusing read. A very astute reader could see where this book is going early, but it races along quickly and the scenes are done with a deft touch. The book contains one of the best lines I have ever read: "Gail, please, your legs are like the neighbourhood liquor store: conveniently located and open all night."

[Michelle Winters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chicklit...and read by Tuttie from Facts of Life!!! LOL!!

Started out ok. My library loan expired and I even patiently wait to get it back again. Althought funny at times, the oh so typical ending made it all so disappointing!

[C.René]

This was a totally predictable yet pretty enjoyable read due to the fast-paced, saucy language. A nice break from the serious books I usually read. The movie version is supposed to come out in the fall and will hopefully be a good rom-com.

[Kimsuccess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was browsing the library shelves and came across this book. I wanted to read it because the movie is coming out. It was okay. I moved a little slow at first. The ending was predictable but you did not know "how' it would end.