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Branches
Neely Watts thinks she’s hit bottom. Her marriage is falling apart, her husband has threatened to kill her if he finds out she’s cheating on him and her affair with her boss isn’t working out the way she planned. All she wanted was to have fun but now she’s In love…and miserable. With her world crumbling around her, she’s desperate to get advice from the one person she trusts—her grandmother, Ganzie Sims, who lives in Sedalia, Missouri, only 5 hours away. However, when Neely arrives at Ganzie’s doorstep, she is greeted by woman who is gravely ill and seems too fragile to help Neely figure out what she should do.
Ganzie takes one look at the bruise on Neely’s cheek and knows the time has come for Neely to be strong enough to make her own decisions. So, in spite of her weakened state, she pulls out her old photos and takes Neely on an odyssey to turn-of-the-century Sedalia, Missouri, when she was young and in love with Charleston Sims. As she shares the story of her youth, she reveals the secrets she has kept hidden in her heart for over 60 years. Neely is shocked…but she understands and forgives.
All too soon, Neely confronts her mother with Ganzie’s stories and discovers that Alma, too, has been harboring a secret. With this secret revealed, Neely, unable to give her mother the same compassion she gave her grandmother, finally hits bottom. BRANCHES is the story of these three African-American women and their struggles to define themselves in spite of expectations, adversity, self-doubt and disappointment. At its heart, BRANCHES is the story of how secrets destroy and how Truth has the power to heal.
Ganzie takes one look at the bruise on Neely’s cheek and knows the time has come for Neely to be strong enough to make her own decisions. So, in spite of her weakened state, she pulls out her old photos and takes Neely on an odyssey to turn-of-the-century Sedalia, Missouri, when she was young and in love with Charleston Sims. As she shares the story of her youth, she reveals the secrets she has kept hidden in her heart for over 60 years. Neely is shocked…but she understands and forgives.
All too soon, Neely confronts her mother with Ganzie’s stories and discovers that Alma, too, has been harboring a secret. With this secret revealed, Neely, unable to give her mother the same compassion she gave her grandmother, finally hits bottom. BRANCHES is the story of these three African-American women and their struggles to define themselves in spite of expectations, adversity, self-doubt and disappointment. At its heart, BRANCHES is the story of how secrets destroy and how Truth has the power to heal.
286 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 26, 2013
A very true book which examines our emotional lives, especially the emotional baggage we inherit.
December 9, 2013
One of my favorite books that I own. This book gave me another way to appreciate the people in my life. I love this book and can't wait for more from one of my favorite authors.
December 5, 2021
Branches was just as lovely as the author who wrote it! I had a pleasure reading and discussing this book with my fellow book club members along with Ms. Rebecca Sloan, herself. I’m honored to have met her and have an autograph copy of her first published novel.
August 15, 2013
My mother told me that you always have to love family. No matter what.
Neely, the main character of this novel, is going through hard times in her life and finds dealing with family difficult to do. But then its her love of family that brings her through. Branches tells the story of three generations of the women of the Sims family. Attitudes and relationships borne out of secrets and lies have destroyed the bonds that should be the strongest - - the love between mother and child. But this story shows that all it takes is a look in a mirror and at one's own actions to understand the choices others make in their life. Neely, not understanding that her wrongs were no different than her grandfather and mother almost throws away what is most precious to all of us - love. In the end I'm not sure that Neely sees the whole picture, even though her issues are resolved, but Ms. Sloan has cleverly written a story that will teach her readers about the love of family and, more importantly, forgiveness. The author, in her debut novel, does an excellent job of creating a story that is familiar and heartbreaking.
On the flip side, while the writing is good, I found the switching of POV redundant and disruptive to the flow. I thought that too much description followed dialogue, instead of letting dialogue itself dictate the characters emotions. Sometimes the emotions of the characters seemed out of place. However, the story is so engrossing, and has such a ring of authenticity that those things are set aside as the story keeps the reader turning the page.
A very enjoyable read, I would highly recommend it.
Neely, the main character of this novel, is going through hard times in her life and finds dealing with family difficult to do. But then its her love of family that brings her through. Branches tells the story of three generations of the women of the Sims family. Attitudes and relationships borne out of secrets and lies have destroyed the bonds that should be the strongest - - the love between mother and child. But this story shows that all it takes is a look in a mirror and at one's own actions to understand the choices others make in their life. Neely, not understanding that her wrongs were no different than her grandfather and mother almost throws away what is most precious to all of us - love. In the end I'm not sure that Neely sees the whole picture, even though her issues are resolved, but Ms. Sloan has cleverly written a story that will teach her readers about the love of family and, more importantly, forgiveness. The author, in her debut novel, does an excellent job of creating a story that is familiar and heartbreaking.
On the flip side, while the writing is good, I found the switching of POV redundant and disruptive to the flow. I thought that too much description followed dialogue, instead of letting dialogue itself dictate the characters emotions. Sometimes the emotions of the characters seemed out of place. However, the story is so engrossing, and has such a ring of authenticity that those things are set aside as the story keeps the reader turning the page.
A very enjoyable read, I would highly recommend it.
January 26, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rebecca Sloan's BRANCHES.
Sloan put me into the various time periods with her descriptive prose, and into the minds and hearts of the characters in this page-turner.
Branches examines how secrets destroy people and relationships, and how truth and real communication can rebuild what secrets ruin.
Who writes stuff this good?
"Funny how your mental image of someone is based on how you feel about them. If you love them, your thoughts are gentle; if you don't, your thoughts are wrapped in barbed wire."
or
"Years of bitterness layered with chilly resentment coat the telephone line and there's no way to get back to warmth."
I felt the characters' joy and pains, and that's what great writing will do!
Sloan put me into the various time periods with her descriptive prose, and into the minds and hearts of the characters in this page-turner.
Branches examines how secrets destroy people and relationships, and how truth and real communication can rebuild what secrets ruin.
Who writes stuff this good?
"Funny how your mental image of someone is based on how you feel about them. If you love them, your thoughts are gentle; if you don't, your thoughts are wrapped in barbed wire."
or
"Years of bitterness layered with chilly resentment coat the telephone line and there's no way to get back to warmth."
I felt the characters' joy and pains, and that's what great writing will do!
May 3, 2013
Excellent read! The development of the characters, the storyline, and the style and quality of writing are top notch. I was especially touched by the two principal characters - Neely and her grandmother Ganzie - and their relationship. I understand this is a first novel, and I can't wait to read another one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews