What You Owe Me

by Bebe Moore Campbell

Fifty years after her mother Hosanna Clark is betrayed and financially ruined by her friend and business partner, Gilda Rosenstein, Hosanna's daughter Matriece is hired by Gilda's huge cosmetics conglomerate to produce a line of African-American beauty products and embarks on a mission to collect on the debt owed to her late mother. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Book Club, African American Literature, Audiobook

527 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Bebe 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)

Reviews

[Cheryl James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Taking back what was stolen from the family. Showing honor for her mother.

[E.N. Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, the late great Bebe Moore Campbell was the best at historical fiction. I'm thinking the say way readers prejudge what I write--Christian fiction--as being boring, I once prejudged historical fiction as being boring. But then I read this! Rest in peace, Mrs. Campbell; the legacy of your written words live on.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this book was so absurdly and comprehensively heartwarming! The whole goshdarn cast of white and black characters successfully work through every one of their issues with racial identity / abandoning or overbearing mommies and daddies / generational grudges / discrimination and privilege. Wouldn't you know, trading in the past for redemption and forgiveness isn't just good for the soul, it's apparently the secret to luck in love and money! Fade to inspiring multicultural dance scene. No, really, there's a dance scene.

If you couldn't tell from the above, I liked it! It's a powerful story well told and, bonus, a nice vision for healing the divisions in American society. But I thought it was overdone. Hosanna's struggle to find herself and to relate to Gilda was the heart of the first historical section, and I think the second section lost its focus by whipping around between the perspectives of so many secondary characters. By the time I could keep track of everyone, I did begin to appreciate the way Campbell weaves together the generational angst and then invests you in how each individual steps up to untangle their own part of the mess. And sure, they're great characters and I like an epic saga as much as the next person. But I also like how fiction explores that existential you-can-never-really-know-other-people dilemma. So it felt way too easy for Campbell to give us an all-access pass into all her characters' souls while they struggle for such insight. Like one of those mystery novels where the reader knows who the culprit is the whole time. Why not let the reader finish the journey with Matriece, as we started it with Hosanna?

Also there's a ghost. Hmm. And a weird obsession with suspecting people of being gay, except for the actual tokenly gay character. Hmmmm. And a LOT of talk about cosmetics. Hmmmmmmm.

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of people that I know or have known in the past. The baseline of the story is that Hosanna and Gilda went into business together manufacturing hand lotion in Los Angeles in the late 1940's. Gilda was a Holocaust survivor and Hosanna, a black woman, was from Inez, Texas where her family was forced off their land by the Hagerty's. Gilda left with the money. Hosanna spent the reminder of her life struggling to raise two daughters, keep her business dream alive, and hating Gilda.

Fast forward to the present. Hosanna is dead and comes back as a ghost to haunt her daugher, Matriece, to avenge her honor by sabatoging Gilda Cosmetics. As you continue to read you find out more about Matriece professional and personal life. You cannot not help but to love, Vonette, Matriece sister's family. The family drama will keeping you laughing and amused.

Their is an entire cast of characters from Uncle Mooney, Asia Pace, Montgomery, and a host of others that help Matriece find what is important in life and helps settle Hosanna's ghost.

Quotes:

I could tell straight off that she wasn't used to cleaning up behind people.

I was a roach that had crawled onto his path, and he couldn't decide whether to squash me, toss me, or let me go free.

But I guess I began to think about the Lord in a different way, to thank him more and beg him less.

"Taking what doesn't belong to you ain't never a misunderstanding."

Gradually, weather, moods, and money had no bearing at all.

"Boy," he said, "keep it up. You not gonna live long enough to get all the women I told you how to catch." He winked at his grandson, who grinned back at him.

[Manisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of two women, one black, one Jewess, living in LA right after WWII. They become cautious then close friends, until circumstances set them up for betrayal. We fast forward to present day and follow the story as the consequences of that betrayal play out. Interesting characters, intriguing story.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to pick up this book. When I read it, I was just starting to pick up different genres. My typical read was chick lit or thrillers. This book was amazing.

I really enjoyed it and I loved the plot. I felt the characters were very engaging. A definite read!

[L Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I read it a few years ago but it is still fresh in my mind. I typically do not read period pieces but this was not your typical period style book. I truly enjoyed it. It's one of those books that will stay with you for years to come.

[Naeemah Huggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, One of those nice long in-depth ones with love and business and family all rolled in. Its been a while since I read it at the suggestion of a friend.

[Cynthia Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book several years ago. This is a fantastic book that will capture and maintain your attention all the way through

[TinaNoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I thought it would be a very straightforward tale of betrayal, revenge and reparation. In some sense, it is just that. But there are so many other things going on in this book that I think the main story gets lost somewhere.

The first 11 chapters of this book is a fairly tight and riveting story of Hosanna and Gilda's relationship. We hear the story of Hosanna and Gilda in Hosanna's first-person narration. It is post WWII L.A. Black people have not prospered the way they should have. Hosanna is a maid who is strong willed and ambitious. She doesn't want to wash people's floors for the rest of her life. Although an optimist, Hosanna is very emotionally hardened by the relentlessness of daily racism. At one point later on, Matriece, Hosanna's daughter says "She was born the wrong race and the wrong gender at the wrong time." There is a clear message even in these early pages that Hosanna could have been a success if it weren't for the tragedy of racism.

Along comes Gilda who is a Jewish woman. She is, as seen through the eyes of Hosanna, a timid woman who is simply surviving day to day from the ravages of her past. She is a Holocaust survivor of the Nazi death camps. Because this first part of the book is told from Hosanna's viewpoint, we never get a real bead on Gilda. For me, she remained a very remote figure, even later on when the POV switches to the third-person omniscience of the author. She is molded not just by her experiences as a prisoner but also as a person who finds herself in Hosanna's forceful presence. Even though it is true that she takes off with the money she and Hosanna make from their small cosmetics venture, it is very difficult to actually hate Gilda.

At about chapter 12 the focus shifts, in more ways than one. We are now in present day LA and Hosanna's daughter Matriece is living the bitterness of her mother. She is working for Gilda, who is now a cosmetics giant (think Estee Lauder) and biding her time to get the reparations she is owed. But this isn't the only story. The narrative splinters all over the place. We get a story of an unhappy singer and her relationship with her absentee dad. We get a story of a woman who is slowly losing touch with her son. We get a story of a man with a gambling problem who is desperate for money. We get the story of the directionless son of a powerful black businessman. There are a lot of little stories all interconnected that get a lot of attention but the main story of Hosanna's legacy gets buried somewhere amongst them all.

Of course there are some interesting themes that run through all the stories. The treacherous waters of parent/child relations run through all the stories. Matriece and Hosanna's relationship is just a back-drop for all the other parental relationships in the story. And the title alone "What you owe me" is strongly thematic of the entire book. Reparations is a heavy undercurrent in here. Gilda's receipt of a check from a Swiss bank with the money from her parents' savings (including 50 years of interest) is just a tangible (and ironic) example. Everyone in the book is seeking some type of reparation for something owed. But while the message of reparation is unmistakably clear, the answers to the question it raises is not so clear. Is it worth the time, effort and emotional toll to seek what is owed or is it better make a fulfilling life with what you have?

I wish the book had been more focused on Matriece's struggle and Hosanna's legacy. As it is, it becomes almost anticlimactic. I did like the book because, although I found these other people's stories somewhat distracting, I couldn't help but like them, become very involved in them and root for them. This is a testament to Ms. Campbell's the absorbing storytelling. While I can't give this book 5 stars, I do think it is a good absorbing read and I do recommend it.

[Marca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unlikely friendship forms between two hotel maids in 1940’s California. Hosanna Clark, an African American woman befriends Gilda a Jewish immigrant who survived the Holocaust. Together they start a small cosmetics company, working around their maids jobs making and selling lotions to co-workers and church members. Just as they were on the verge of leaving their maids jobs and going full-time with the cosmetics, Gilda bolts, taking all their savings. Fast forward fifty years and we find Hosanna’s adult daughter Matriece working for Gilda’s large and successful cosmetics company, but Gilda doesn’t know Matriece is Hosanna’s daughter. Matriece has worked hard to get to this place and is ready to settle Hosanna’s old scored with Gilda. Very complex layers. The story goes back and forth in time, but not hard to follow. Lots of lessons on civil rights and women’s rights. Networking, especially in the black community. And lots of old scores and grudges to settle among various characters. Add in some lessons on forgiveness and/or letting go. Story was a bit heavy-handed on how women’s lives are empty without husbands and children (kinda funny, because most of the husbands depicted in this book were not model citizens or husbands).

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, my first by Campbell. I read it as part of a book club selection, and it just cements how amazing book clubs can be - as I'm sure I would have never chosen this book on my own.

The prevalent themes throughout this book were very well crafted, if but a bit predictable. The characters seemed natural, well rounded, and possessed a spirit that was very uplifting. The written style was detailed well; I felt able to understand what was being explained but it was not weighed down and did not cause the story to slow.

I didn't enjoy reading this in the mass market format, as the tight text and 500+ pages made the book seem a lot longer than it really was. Never did I feel that the story was "dragging" and yet I was more often than not surprised by my lack of progress when it comes to page count. Grab it in trade paper or hard cover if you can.

[Essence Cropper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it fell kind of flat in some parts and the ending wasn't my favorite. I was a little confused by some of the characters, since every chapter seem to introduce someone new, but it was unclear who they were and what their purpose of being in the book was. All in all, it was a decent read.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. The voice actor Caroline Clay was superb.

2. This is a powerful book dealing with an array of issues (racism, broken families, father daughter issues, depression, betrayal, forgiveness, etc).

3. My favorite part of the book is the last chapter when the POV switches back to Hosanna and ends with a personal monologue of reflection.

[Kiarag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the synopsis and I expected to be annoyed and angry but I was happily surprised. Campbell did a great job of writing from the perspective of different women from different backgrounds. This is the first book I've Read from Bebe Moore Campbell and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great multi generational book about black woman and a Jewish women who become great friends and start a business together. It is a wonderful journey with deep insights into each woman and their children. It helps one to see how one's skin color was such a big issue in the 1950. Grateful for the progress that has been made!

[jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

bebe moore campbell, it seems to me, has written better books that this.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad, so glad people are, for the most part, not affected by one another this way anymore.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of an African American woman and a German woman - a Holocaust survivor - who go into the cosmetic business together.

[Michele Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covered a very long time span, but it bridged the gaps smartly and intriguing enough to keep me reading. I loved it. This is a Great Read!

[Jessica Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed, and the different voices/perspectives of the characters.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much longer, and not as well-written, as Campbell’s previous books – this one could have benefited from a lot more editing. Too many characters and sub-plots, but none of them sufficiently developed. The basic story focuses on the daughter of a black woman, Hosanna, who helped Gilda, a Jewish immigrant, start up a cosmetics company in the late ‘40’s. But Gilda disappears, leaving Hosanna with a worthless bankbook for a cleared-out account, and Hosanna’s ambition and her desire for revenge become her legacy to her daughter. Intertwined with this are numerous other stories of parent-child relationships, making Campbell’s point that our responses – accepting or not – to our parents’ hope and dreams for us as children determine whom we will become as adults.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were several characters in this book and so much of the first half was all a set-up, an introduction to these multiple characters. They did all tie-in together for the second half and there really were some characters that I truly loved, they just cracked me up. I'm very visual so I could just imagine the conversations that were taking place. I would love to see this made into a movie! There were a few surprising moments; most of my choices are usually very G-Rated, but nothing was ever detailed or explicit, just real. I would have never have picked up this book for myself - that's what I LOVE about a Book Club!

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brought back memories of the mistreatment received by all. Two women from different backgrounds, black & Jewish become friends during a time when friendships like that were not feasible. During this friendship, they start a successful business. The Jewish woman gets married and her husband and uncle take the money the two women have earned and for years the black woman struggles to figure out why. Years later the black woman's daughter goes to work for the Jewish woman and the real story of what happened comes out. This story was very compelling and sad because it reflects the struggles of yesterday are still here in today's society.

[Pamela Lauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engrossing family drama that takes place in the 2nd half of the 20th century. Straightforward tale of an African American entrepreneur and her friend, an immigrant who survived the Nazi death camps. The story follows these women, their children, and a host of friends, siblings and lovers. The dialogue was a bit stilted, and some chapters seemed longer than they needed to be, but overall a satisfying, emotional read with threads tied up neatly at the end.
I listened to the audiobook version.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I wasn’t sure where this book was going, especially when the author introduced something like 8 different perspectives/protagonists and all their associated problems. But Moore Campbell wrapped up every thread, and wrote compassionately and lovingly about all her flawed characters.

[Lafilleseule · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, at times dramatic, at times comedic, at times heartbreaking story about betrayal and forgiveness. It might make you wonder how it all comes together, it's a touch allegorical, but stick with it. Marvelous book.

[Katie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got on a Bebe Moore Campbell kick last year and read all of her books in rapid succession. This was my favorite.

[Argnese Julmist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting, kind of slow, but very interesting

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story of misunderstanding and self growth. Quite long but a well developed story. Read in 1 day.