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Singing in the Comeback Choir
The author of Brothers and Sisters follows a successful producer who tries to revitalize the ghetto of her youth while trying to save her grandmother, a once noted singing star, from herself. Reprint.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Bebe Moore Campbell
41 books313 followersBebe Moore Campbell (February 18, 1950 – November 27, 2006), was the author of three New York Times bestsellers, Brothers and Sisters, Singing in the Comeback Choir, and What You Owe Me, which was also a Los Angeles Times "Best Book of 2001". Her other works include the novel Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and the winner of the NAACP Image Award for Literature; her memoir, Sweet Summer, Growing Up With and Without My Dad; and her first nonfiction book, Successful Women, Angry Men: Backlash in the Two-Career Marriage. Her essays, articles, and excerpts appear in many anthologies.
Campbell's interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The book tells the story of how a little girl copes with being reared by her mentally ill mother. Ms. Campbell was a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a founding member of NAMI-Inglewood. Her book 72 Hour Hold also deals with mental illness. Her first play, "Even with the Madness", debuted in New York in June 2003. This work revisited the theme of mental illness and the family.
As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, as well as other publications. She was a regular commentator for Morning Edition a program on National Public Radio.
(from Wikipedia)
Campbell's interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The book tells the story of how a little girl copes with being reared by her mentally ill mother. Ms. Campbell was a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a founding member of NAMI-Inglewood. Her book 72 Hour Hold also deals with mental illness. Her first play, "Even with the Madness", debuted in New York in June 2003. This work revisited the theme of mental illness and the family.
As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, as well as other publications. She was a regular commentator for Morning Edition a program on National Public Radio.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 21, 2015
This book is realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maxine was not sure where she belonged anymore when all her dreams started to go up in smoke as the old saying goes. I love BeBe Moore Campbell's writing style. It is clear and precise. It is real. She allows you the reader to visualize her characters and stand in their footsteps.
August 18, 2013
This book was light-hearted and witty. I enjoyed reading from the beginning to the end.
July 5, 2017
This is a sweet and charming story about the joys and struggles of relationships. It's also about change: changes to neighborhoods, changes of aging, changes of different phases of life, and changes in relationships. Maxine lives on one coast while her aging grandmother, the former jazz singer who raised her, is on the other. She's pregnant but still getting over her husband's affair after they lost their first child to miscarriage. She's also a television producer on a show that's about to be axed with pressure from all sides.
It's a story about race, but really about how we are all the same no matter what color we are. We all want the same things: love, companionship, success, family, and community.
My only beefs with the story are: 1. Satchel's affair came out a little late. The first chapter made it seem like they were perfectly simpatico and there were no issues, so the affair was a big surprise. I would've liked a tiny hint. and 2. The stress and worry about the Ted show was a major thing for Maxine but its resolution was a bit unremarkable. I kind of wanted a showdown with Patrick. It may well have been the point since there's a strong suggestion that Maxine won't return to television, but I still kept feeling something was left unsaid/undone.
It's a story about race, but really about how we are all the same no matter what color we are. We all want the same things: love, companionship, success, family, and community.
My only beefs with the story are: 1. Satchel's affair came out a little late. The first chapter made it seem like they were perfectly simpatico and there were no issues, so the affair was a big surprise. I would've liked a tiny hint. and 2. The stress and worry about the Ted show was a major thing for Maxine but its resolution was a bit unremarkable. I kind of wanted a showdown with Patrick. It may well have been the point since there's a strong suggestion that Maxine won't return to television, but I still kept feeling something was left unsaid/undone.
August 10, 2014
This book, to me, is essentially a story about redemption. One of the protagonists is Maxine, an executive producer of a talk show who is struggling to repair her relationship with her husband after his infidelity and keep her talk show afloat, despite floundering ratings. The other is Lindy, Maxine's grandmother and a once-popular singer. Lindy is battling the demons of alcoholism, smoking, and broken dreams. The book takes us along as Maxine and Lindy help each other to heal and find new opportunities. The book ends on a really optimistic note for both ladies. Additionally, the book talks about larger issues affecting many neighborhoods in urban areas, and especially Lindy's. People have left and the block has become dirty and has a crackhouse on the corner, but towards the end of the book, redemption comes to the neighborhood, as well, as residents spruce it up for a big event and really start to take pride in it again. I really enjoyed this book, and think it's a good read for everyone and highly recommend it.
February 26, 2016
Just as good as her last book, Brothers and Sisters! Moore has a great writing style that really makes her characters come alive. Maxine has escaped the inner city and is working successfully in L.A. as an executive producer of a TV talk show. But her grandmother, Lindy, who raised her after her own mother’s death, is ill, and the woman Maxine had hired to take care of her is leaving. So it’s back to Philadelphia and her old neighborhood to try to put together a workable solution. Timing is awful -- it’s sweeps month and her show’s rating are down; her marriage is shaky because she hasn’t quite forgiven her husband for a short-lived affair she discovered accidentally; and she’s pregnant, and scared because her last pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
April 27, 2012
Maxine's grandmother has lost faith in herself. She is drinking and smoking too much in order to be able to hide from her belief that she can no longer sing. The downturn in her fortune is reflected in her neighbourhood where litter, graffiti and petty crime become more common by the day. Maxine has escaped to LA. but finds success has its own problems. As Maxine returns to her grandmother's home to try and help sort out the problems both women learn that they must be prepared to trust themselves and others in order to move forward with their lives.
September 23, 2008
Bebe Moore Campbell (God rest her soul to the mother who produced the Gorgeous Maia Campbell "Tiffany" from the t.v. show "In the House" with that damn Fine ass L.L. Cool J), the bestselling author of this novel takes you into the lives of two unforgettable women: Maxine, who thinks she has it all, and her grandmother Lindy, a once-brilliant singer who's about to give Maxine a lesson in faith, commitment and comebacks...
April 1, 2009
This was a "fun" book although it dealt with some heavy subject matter. There was the theme of going home, even when that home is far from what your life is now. Bebe Moore Campbell does a nice job of making her characters likable, real and sympathetic, especially when dealing with some difficult decisions that are a test of loyalty. This is the second book I have read by her and I find her style easy to read and quite descriptive.
July 7, 2011
After the Marquez book this was a frothy, light read. However there wasn’t really much to take note of and I really didn’t think the writing was that terrific either. The story was about an African-American woman named Maxine who has the usual husband, job & family issues. The plot centers around what she should do about her grandmother Lindy who has lost her drive and ambition since she “lost” her singing voice. Very predictable ending but overall a harmless book.
May 7, 2013
Maxine McCoy is a successful TV producer in Los Angeles, married and expecting her first child when she hears that she must return to Philadelphia to care for her seventy-year-old grandmother. Maxine was raised by her grandmother, Lindy, a singing star, and Maxine wants to hear her sing again. “This is a moving story of hope and redemption, of the faith and commitment that can make any comeback possible.”
November 13, 2011
This book kind of surprised me. At first I didn't like it so much but after I got into it I was hooked. I found myself sitting in the parking lot of my apartment complex with the car off just listening to the story. ha ha. The story was really touching and I had a few tears in my eyes during the last chapter.
October 10, 2016
Ms. Campbell was a talented writer. I read all of her books and was devastated when she passed away, quite some time ago. Since she is a Philly girl and several if not all of her works took place here, it was even more intriguing to read her stories and know where they were taking place. Wish she was still here.
April 6, 2015
This was my first time reading a book from this author, BeBe Moore Campbell, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! 5 stars! It was a feel good book, filled with life, love, music and God! I was left feeling inspired and wanting a sequel!
May 15, 2008
I'm a fan. I think Campbell knows the workings of a solid novel with believable characters, setting, and relatabke story.
March 31, 2009
An entirely predictable book--poorly written and just a waste of my time. Had to read for my book club.
May 25, 2009
Ms. Bebe Moore Campbell is chilling(GOOD)
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October 14, 2009Attended writing a workshop she taught a year or so before she died. She was really informative.
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June 21, 2010what fun!
September 11, 2016
wm copes w/ work, cheating husb & aging gma
September 2, 2012
I am not sure why I read this book. I am not a fan of Bebe Moore Campbell.
May 11, 2013
Google book
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January 21, 2014Read 6/98 & 1/14
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December 20, 2013Fiction C1873s 1998
April 25, 2014
This book was absolutely boring, and a complete waste of my time. I fell asleep several times while reading this book.
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August 21, 2016i never finished this book
November 19, 2015
Amazing story!
April 1, 2021
Not too good and a bit whinny story. Grandma is a former diva and the granddaughter is now an executive producer in TV. Grandma has one last chance to sing.
September 23, 2018
Several years ago, I read Bebe Moore Campbell's novel Sweet Summer: Growing Up With and Without My Dad and thoroughly enjoyed it as well as her other novels, Brothers and Sisters and Your Blues Ain't Like Mine. While perusing the shelf of my local bookstore, when I saw Singing in the Comeback Choir I was immediately attracted to it, not only because of the catchy title, but also because of the author. It is a wonderful book.
Maxine is a producer of a TV show. Her job calls for making decisions that will boost the shows rating, to keep it at the top or near the top. Her husband, Satchell has his own business, both are doing quite well. They live in Los Angeles. Maxine is pregnant again after having had a miscarriage. They are looking forward to the birth of their child. While they are very much in love, the fact that at a low point in their marriage, Satchell had an affair, makes Maxine less trusting of ever giving her heart completely to him.
Maxine gets a call from the woman who is taking care of her grandmother Lindy. Pearl is moving and can no longer look after her grandmother. She tells her that Lindy who is seventy has begun drinking and smoking again since she had a stroke. Maxine must find someone else to live with her. Maxine takes a leave of absence and travels to Philadelphia despite the pressures of leaving her job at a crucial moment in the show's season. Ted, the host of the show, is spoiled, and needy. He resents her taking time off to take care of her grandmother.
Maxine arrives on Sutherland Street where LIndy lives and where she grew up. The neighborhood is depressed, abandoned by the city, boarded-up buildings, a crack house across the street, drug dealers, gangs, graffiti everywhere. When Pearl greets her, she smells liquor on her breath. Lindy is upstairs where she spends most of the day listening to old records, watching TV, smoking, and drinking. When Maxine chides Pearl about Lindy's missing doctor's appointments, the caretaker complains that she can't control Lindy. Pearl leaves. For the next few days, Maxine searches for a suitable place for Lindy to move to, however, Lindy refuses. She feels she is capable of taking care of herself despite having suffered a stroke months earlier. it is home for LIndy who used to be a well-known singer in her day. Before she can complete her mission, Maxine is summoned back to L.A. as her job is in jeopardy; nonetheless, she returns first chance, bringing with her the determination to turn around her grandmother's mental and physical state. In doing so with the help of her neighbors, she helps to transform her grandmother and the community.
A well-structured novel, Campbell captures the ethos of the inner city and the culture of urban African America. One example is the dialogue between Lindy and her friends the Tongues, and Bootsy, her old musician friend. Other fascinating characters permeate the novel that is both satisfying and heartwarming.
Maxine is a producer of a TV show. Her job calls for making decisions that will boost the shows rating, to keep it at the top or near the top. Her husband, Satchell has his own business, both are doing quite well. They live in Los Angeles. Maxine is pregnant again after having had a miscarriage. They are looking forward to the birth of their child. While they are very much in love, the fact that at a low point in their marriage, Satchell had an affair, makes Maxine less trusting of ever giving her heart completely to him.
Maxine gets a call from the woman who is taking care of her grandmother Lindy. Pearl is moving and can no longer look after her grandmother. She tells her that Lindy who is seventy has begun drinking and smoking again since she had a stroke. Maxine must find someone else to live with her. Maxine takes a leave of absence and travels to Philadelphia despite the pressures of leaving her job at a crucial moment in the show's season. Ted, the host of the show, is spoiled, and needy. He resents her taking time off to take care of her grandmother.
Maxine arrives on Sutherland Street where LIndy lives and where she grew up. The neighborhood is depressed, abandoned by the city, boarded-up buildings, a crack house across the street, drug dealers, gangs, graffiti everywhere. When Pearl greets her, she smells liquor on her breath. Lindy is upstairs where she spends most of the day listening to old records, watching TV, smoking, and drinking. When Maxine chides Pearl about Lindy's missing doctor's appointments, the caretaker complains that she can't control Lindy. Pearl leaves. For the next few days, Maxine searches for a suitable place for Lindy to move to, however, Lindy refuses. She feels she is capable of taking care of herself despite having suffered a stroke months earlier. it is home for LIndy who used to be a well-known singer in her day. Before she can complete her mission, Maxine is summoned back to L.A. as her job is in jeopardy; nonetheless, she returns first chance, bringing with her the determination to turn around her grandmother's mental and physical state. In doing so with the help of her neighbors, she helps to transform her grandmother and the community.
A well-structured novel, Campbell captures the ethos of the inner city and the culture of urban African America. One example is the dialogue between Lindy and her friends the Tongues, and Bootsy, her old musician friend. Other fascinating characters permeate the novel that is both satisfying and heartwarming.
September 28, 2021
Hovering between 3.5 and 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this one, but the ending felt a bit rushed and possibly incomplete. I really wanted more, but that could be because I didn't want the story to end.
The other 90% of the story kept me glued to the page, thanks to Campbell's engaging writing style. Oh, how I miss fiction like this from the '90s.
And, as with most of the books like this that I love from that time period (e.g. Mama , What Looks Like Crazy on An Ordinary Day , Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do , etc), I need this on the small screen ASAP, preferably on a channel that explores Black love and Black family dynamics with care, nuance, honesty, and good acting.
I really enjoyed this one, but the ending felt a bit rushed and possibly incomplete. I really wanted more, but that could be because I didn't want the story to end.
The other 90% of the story kept me glued to the page, thanks to Campbell's engaging writing style. Oh, how I miss fiction like this from the '90s.
And, as with most of the books like this that I love from that time period (e.g. Mama , What Looks Like Crazy on An Ordinary Day , Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do , etc), I need this on the small screen ASAP, preferably on a channel that explores Black love and Black family dynamics with care, nuance, honesty, and good acting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews