Resurrecting Mingus

by Jenoyne Adams

Resurrecting Mingus is the story of a young woman lost -- striving to find her own identity while dealing with powerful and painful questions that force her to confront everything and everyone that matters to her. In this stunning debut novel, Jenoyne Adams, a PEN Center USA West Emerging Voices Fellow, displays a rare talent for a first-time the skill and courage to write about some of the most controversial issues today in an absorbing and compulsively readable manner.

Mingus Browning is a successful, young, beautiful lawyer whose life is falling apart. After a thirty-five-year marriage, Mingus's African-American father has suddenly left her Irish mother for a black woman. A daddy's girl, Mingus is torn between the father she has always been closer to, the mother she may have to defend in divorce proceedings, and a sister hell-bent on winning their lifelong sibling rivalry. Mingus is caught in middle of the three, a woman alone, and, in turn, realizes that she has probably always felt more comfortable that way because she is part of no one group, let alone a united family. Juggling her parents' grief with her own proves to be too much for Mingus as she stumbles from one questionable relationship to another, further complicating her life.

After years of isolating herself from those who have tried to care for her, Mingus finally meets someone who rips through her protective defenses and exposes her need to be loved. Eric Simms, a smooth-talking television producer, is through playing dating games and is looking for love for real this time. With Eric, Mingus finally learns to forget the fear of a broken heart and opens herself completely. That is, until word starts circulating that her new love has his secrets as well, and suddenly what was a perfect relationship begins to look like yet another minefield of hurt, as Mingus is forced to choose between her man, her sister, and the truth.

After facing a long, sad string of heartaches and betrayals, Mingus finally reaches the point in her life where she realizes who she is, what she wants, and how she doesn't need another man to get it. Marked by raw images and poetic prose, Jenoyne Adams's affecting first novel candidly explores the bonds of family, faith, and finding someone to love when you can't even find someone to trust.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Elvie]

I can't remember it at all!

[Jamie Cha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was supposed be about race but it really wasn't. It was about family, relationships, forgiveness, mistakes, self love, loneliness, independence, and new beginnings.

I almost thought the book was going to have a predictable ending. I was glad the ending wasn't. Life isn't easy, predictable, or about being perfect. The characters aren't this either.

[Lakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for the first time in 2012. It was a Great read! Savory, thought-provoking, romantic and brilliant! Reads like a movie.

[Ellison]

I’m not even going to rate this raggedy book. It was a 5 star read up until the last 30 pages. I have never been this upset in my life over a book.

[Alisa Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good read. It is a must read. The story is about a young woman name Mingus who is striving for her own identity and happiness while dealing with painful questions and everyone around her including family. I like how the author is bringing similiar constroversial issues today: interraicial relationships, dealing with parents divorcing, love, do you need a man to be happy or to have a perfect family, finding someone to love, but at the end of the story will Mingus choose between her man, her sister, or the truth. I was proud of Mingus and her mother in the end, which I believe everyone should do for themselves.

[Tiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book during work. Found myself more interested with the parents' story than Mingus relationship with Keith, Steve, and Eric. I found that her failed relationships were predictable at best. Her relationship, or lack thereof, with her sister was also interesting to me. I guess you can say everything but Ming's love life was an excellent read!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about a young woman struggling to love herself while she is faced with many revelations about her immediate family members. The characters seem very tangible and familiar in some humanistic way. The author was wise to let us into the thoughts of a few of the characters, adding to the depth of our understanding, answering some questions that may have went unanswered.

[Melanee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I didn't like the story but after giving some pause and reflecting it really was a good story that was very well written. Don't know if it would have been a story I'd be interested in completing if it wasn't for Jenoyne's beautiful writing style.

[Page Passion · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lackluster

Thank God this was a short read! I kept reading on because I thought the author as well as the characters had a lot of potential, but no I was wrong. I just found it slow and lacking direction in the plot.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It kept me very interested just dealing with a 30 year old growing up, coming into her own and family relationships.

[Nijla Mumin · Rating 5 out of 5]

should be a movie... hint hint.

[Karen Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. True to life situations told in a beautiful tasteful manner and not falling into the urbanized pit.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read in February, 2001, re-read Oct. 18, 2015

[Niña Peterine Sheen Suico · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I like the way the author had arranged the details, but later on... Gosh, it's kinda confusing..

[Nakia]

Read this a long time ago. I think I enjoyed it, but I'm not quite sure. so I can't rate it with confidence.

[Dacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was a little too graphic and the ending was whack but the meat of the book was pretty good.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little slow for me, but I still enjoyed reading it. If that makes any sense.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner that was hard to put down!

[Mariette]

Characters were unbeliveably naive - there was no redeeming qualities in any one character.