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Ain't No River
Penned in the same poetic voice introduced in her bestselling debut novel, Passing by Samaria, Sharon Ewell Foster's Ain't No River is a contemporary tale where the angst of modern life is seasoned with wisdom, humor, and a dash of African-American history. Meemaw has been a doting mother, grandmother, and church mother to her community. Suddenly she's become a slimmed-down, silver-haired, seventy-something fox with a new attitude. And all fingers are pointing at a much younger ex-pro football player, GoGo Walker. When D.C. lawyer Garvin Daniels -- Meemaw's granddaughter -- gets wind of what's happening, she heads back to her hometown determined to help her Meemaw get it together before she goes too far.
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 10, 2022
Everyone and everything in Garvin Daniels’ life seem to be going wrong: her 70-something Meemaw is hanging out with a young and handsome fitness instructor named GoGo, her friend Ramona is embarking on a bicycling fundraiser with a pastor that she just met, and her high-powered law firm has given her a case that will surely mean the end of her career. Has the world gone crazy? After an involuntary leave of absence, Garvin decides to leave Washington, D.C. and head back to her hometown of Jacks Creek where she is determined to set things right…no matter what it takes.
If you were to search Google and look for ideal character traits of lawyers, you’d get things like compassion, willingness to listen, good judgement, and great emotional balance. GARVIN DANIELS HAS NONE OF THESE! Instead, Sharon Ewell Foster gives us a whiny, insensitive, self-absorbed, inconsiderate, spoiled, selfish, petulant…well, the list goes on and on. I understand why an author would make their main character absolutely insufferable because their end goal is for that character to finally realize the error of their ways and be redeemed. They clearly realize the hell they are putting their readers through by having to deal with this horror of an individual, but we remain loyal because we know—we just know—that all of this emotional turmoil will be worth it because the character’s ultimate salvation will be our reward, too. Not so with Garvin Daniels. Nope. Even when she begins to understand that maybe she isn’t her best possible self, it doesn’t take long before she’s back to slinging insults, scorn, and contempt. And by the way, complaining about life in your tailored suit while standing in a gleaming marble restroom of a prestigious law firm to a woman who is currently busy cleaning the toilets is NOT a good look.
I would have enjoyed this book so much more had Foster instead focused on the complex, quirky, and beautifully damaged residents of Jacks Creek: Monique, the teenager forced to give up her child and then has live with the shame and stigma afterwards; Big Esther who runs her own salon and dispenses truth and wisdom in never ending supplies; Smitty, the seller of snowballs who basks in the glow from the attention of the women at the hair salon but is looking for something more; GoGo, retired pro-football player who can’t seem to outrun his past; and Meemaw, the town matriarch who always seems to know just what a heart and stomach needs and is ready to graciously fill both. I wanted to know more about these people and spend a few more nights on the front porch with them to understand their pain and share in their journey towards healing. But those opportunities didn’t come often enough and instead I was sent back to Garvin where I counted the pages until I might be rewarded with Meemaw’s words of wisdom or one of Smitty’s deluxe snowballs with marshmallow on top.
At the end of one of her poor-me pity parties, Garvin wondered to herself why everybody around her expected her to fix everything for them. If only she had searched Google and used one of those ideal lawyer character traits. If she had, she would have quickly discovered that nobody does.
If you were to search Google and look for ideal character traits of lawyers, you’d get things like compassion, willingness to listen, good judgement, and great emotional balance. GARVIN DANIELS HAS NONE OF THESE! Instead, Sharon Ewell Foster gives us a whiny, insensitive, self-absorbed, inconsiderate, spoiled, selfish, petulant…well, the list goes on and on. I understand why an author would make their main character absolutely insufferable because their end goal is for that character to finally realize the error of their ways and be redeemed. They clearly realize the hell they are putting their readers through by having to deal with this horror of an individual, but we remain loyal because we know—we just know—that all of this emotional turmoil will be worth it because the character’s ultimate salvation will be our reward, too. Not so with Garvin Daniels. Nope. Even when she begins to understand that maybe she isn’t her best possible self, it doesn’t take long before she’s back to slinging insults, scorn, and contempt. And by the way, complaining about life in your tailored suit while standing in a gleaming marble restroom of a prestigious law firm to a woman who is currently busy cleaning the toilets is NOT a good look.
I would have enjoyed this book so much more had Foster instead focused on the complex, quirky, and beautifully damaged residents of Jacks Creek: Monique, the teenager forced to give up her child and then has live with the shame and stigma afterwards; Big Esther who runs her own salon and dispenses truth and wisdom in never ending supplies; Smitty, the seller of snowballs who basks in the glow from the attention of the women at the hair salon but is looking for something more; GoGo, retired pro-football player who can’t seem to outrun his past; and Meemaw, the town matriarch who always seems to know just what a heart and stomach needs and is ready to graciously fill both. I wanted to know more about these people and spend a few more nights on the front porch with them to understand their pain and share in their journey towards healing. But those opportunities didn’t come often enough and instead I was sent back to Garvin where I counted the pages until I might be rewarded with Meemaw’s words of wisdom or one of Smitty’s deluxe snowballs with marshmallow on top.
At the end of one of her poor-me pity parties, Garvin wondered to herself why everybody around her expected her to fix everything for them. If only she had searched Google and used one of those ideal lawyer character traits. If she had, she would have quickly discovered that nobody does.
January 31, 2014
Ain't No River ..By Sharon Ewwell Foster....Career was everything to Garvin. She wasn't talking to God. Then sshe felt the need to visit her grandmother(MeeMaw) since Meemaw wasn't answering her phone. When Gavin took the time off from her career, shefound Meemaw having fun and full of sipritual joy. This all rubbed off on Gavin. A young girl in the community found forgivness and hew hope for her and her little daughter, with the help of Gavin and the community.
February 26, 2015
Ain't No River by Sharon Ewell Foster was the 3rd book I have read by this author, and I enjoyed it very much---just as I did with the others. All of the primary characters in Ain't No River are African-American but the book's messages and themes are for everyone, no matter what a person's race is. In the beginning of the novel, Garvin Daniels, an African-American attorney working in Washington, D.C. feels like her life is falling apart. She finds out that her career is in jeopardy after being put on a 3 month administrative leave, one of her best friends has met a minister and gone off on a cross-country charity bike ride with him, and she suspects her beloved grandmother, Meemaw is being taken advantage of by a gigolo. At this point in her life, she is very proud that she does not fit any stereotypes for African-Americans and refuses to believe that other African-Americans are being discriminated against without having done something to bring it on themselves and is totally wrapped up in her own concerns. However, once she goes back to the small town of Jacks Creek in the Cape Fear area of North Carolina to confront the man she believes is taking advantage of her grandmother, she begins to change through exposure to her Meemaw's counsel, preaching at the church she attends with her Meemaw, and becoming involved in helping a teenager who gave up her child for adoption and now feels overwhelmingly guilty. She also finds out that what she was totally wrong in what she thought about Go-Go Walker, the ex-football player, who is spending time with her grandmother. This book has several themes in it---appreciating the diversity among people regardless of color or race, the importance of being involved in helping others to rise above your own problems, learning to trust others even when you've been hurt, and last but not least---a message of salvation in turning to God with faith. I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
December 2, 2009
You'd think this would be a Tyler Perry screenplay. I have little respect for books like this. You have your basic themes of your run-of-the-mill Black fiction: a hair salon, testifying in church, and cookouts. Same old same old.
I realize it's suppose to be an uplifting Christian book, but it's incredibly...ridiculous? The main character (Gavin) is the only Black woman working in the law firm, one of her white co-workers is gunning for her. She is given a case in which a man is suing because he although he is overly qualified for a job, he is being skipped for promotions because he is black. The main character rolls her eyes and complains of Black people who use race as an excuse although she is obviously being discriminated against.
Anyways, after a bunch of drama: Gavin ends up married to the man she thought was trying to cheat her grandma out of her money, a teenage girl who got knocked gets her child adopted by the grandmother (?), Gavin regains her faith in God and compassion towards other black people...
This book is such a load of...
I realize it's suppose to be an uplifting Christian book, but it's incredibly...ridiculous? The main character (Gavin) is the only Black woman working in the law firm, one of her white co-workers is gunning for her. She is given a case in which a man is suing because he although he is overly qualified for a job, he is being skipped for promotions because he is black. The main character rolls her eyes and complains of Black people who use race as an excuse although she is obviously being discriminated against.
Anyways, after a bunch of drama: Gavin ends up married to the man she thought was trying to cheat her grandma out of her money, a teenage girl who got knocked gets her child adopted by the grandmother (?), Gavin regains her faith in God and compassion towards other black people...
This book is such a load of...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 2, 2012I love Sharon Foster, and I enjoy reading what she writes. Ain’t No River is a story with texture and substance, immersing us in a drama with heart-touching characters, conflicts and resolutions. You’ll also find Someone behind the scenes accomplishing his larger purposes. For many readers this book will be a cross-cultural experience—and often our most rewarding experiences are cross-cultural. I’m delighted to recommend this book.
January 11, 2024
Ain't No River was my first venture into contemporary Christian fiction and author Sharon Ewell Foster has made me a believer in the genre. Rarely does a work of fiction feature so many well-developed, realistic characters. Author Sharon Ewell Foster has done this and seemingly with ease. The story features Garvin, a high-powered attorney from Washington D.C., who makes her way back home after being temporarily "laid off" from her firm. Home is a small town in North Carolina that seems a million miles away from the fast-paced world she knows. However, the attorney quickly sets down to business when she feels that her beloved 70-something Meemaw is running wild with proven ladies man, young GoGo Walker. A host of other well-developed characters add to the drama.
This uplifting story about redemption and remembering who we are is bound to bless any and all readers. However, readers will not feel that they are being preached to throughout the story. The method is much more subtle until perhaps the very end. Rarely does a work of fiction contain such a fine plot, such a wonderful host of characters, and so much fun. Foster's humor and sense of fun are unmistakable and would make the story one worth reading if other elements were not as strong. However, the author has integrated the finest elements of fiction along with this humor and has proven herself a voice to be reckoned with in contemporary fiction.
This uplifting story about redemption and remembering who we are is bound to bless any and all readers. However, readers will not feel that they are being preached to throughout the story. The method is much more subtle until perhaps the very end. Rarely does a work of fiction contain such a fine plot, such a wonderful host of characters, and so much fun. Foster's humor and sense of fun are unmistakable and would make the story one worth reading if other elements were not as strong. However, the author has integrated the finest elements of fiction along with this humor and has proven herself a voice to be reckoned with in contemporary fiction.
April 20, 2023
Nothing mind blowing happening here but genuinely enjoyed the Sharon’s faith and a Christian book set in the African American community-with characters facing everything from racism, unwanted pregnancy, living empty lives of fame
February 21, 2020
A good read with a very good lesson about not jumping to conclusions.
November 6, 2012
"Pleasant and quaint, but I wouldn't go raving about it."
I was looking forward to reading this novel. I actually won it on the radio of all things! Unfortunately, it was a little bit of a let down for me. I have a respect for the author and concepts, but the story isn't terribly memorable. But that's just my opinion, and I would highly recommend giving it a go for yourself, you're opinion may differ greatly from mine!
I was looking forward to reading this novel. I actually won it on the radio of all things! Unfortunately, it was a little bit of a let down for me. I have a respect for the author and concepts, but the story isn't terribly memorable. But that's just my opinion, and I would highly recommend giving it a go for yourself, you're opinion may differ greatly from mine!
January 5, 2014
It's my 1st book, from my sister. I only regret I gave it to someone due to extreme happiness.. Anyway, though I can't remember much how the story goes, I admire this story cos as it progress, the main character also develops. It's funny on its on sense and also inspirational, ending with the lead character having realize what would truly make her happy and content as well as she also renew her faith to God.
March 19, 2014
Sharon Ewell Foster does an excellent job developing her characters full of redeeming love, warmth and humor.
Isaiah 59:1 rings true in this book - "Surely the arm of The Lord is not too short to save, nor his see too dull to hear." Main characters were unwed mothers, fathers, their babies, players, and playees, people caught up in careers and lifestyles that took control of their lives. God can do Marvelous things!!
Isaiah 59:1 rings true in this book - "Surely the arm of The Lord is not too short to save, nor his see too dull to hear." Main characters were unwed mothers, fathers, their babies, players, and playees, people caught up in careers and lifestyles that took control of their lives. God can do Marvelous things!!
April 18, 2008
Excellent novel. A woman is so consumed with her career and worldly appearance that she neglects family and home. A life changing situation causes her to reevaluate her life and her relationship with God. Love and life
March 2, 2019
This was a good story line, but a bit too preachy. The author spent a lot of time on lengthy monologues that I had the tendency to skim over. Written by a black woman gave an interesting look into the thoughts of a different culture mindset.
February 14, 2008
The book was ok but it wasn't as interseting as i thought
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December 20, 2008F Fos
May 14, 2009
I loved this book. MeeMaw is my hero. I tag this "soul-food". A wonderful read from an awesome author.
August 2, 2012
Wonderful book that all young women should read. it is about how you should honor your body and yourself before thinking that if you do something will make you more popular.
January 5, 2014
This was very good, able to visualize characters & Feel as if a part of story. Characters realistic to think out incidents.
June 3, 2017
I like the fact that while this is a Christian fiction novel, the author was able to convey the message of faith, trust and love without being overly "preachy."
January 29, 2021
To read my review go to my Book Blog at http://eveineden.blogspot.com/ please follow me and leave a comment. Happy reading 📚
August 8, 2011
Seriously talented author who should not be ignored.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews