Hunger

by Erica Simone Turnipseed

In Erica Simone Turnipseed's captivating follow-up to A Love Noire , heartache fans the flames of lust when freethinking Noire and Innocent, her urbane African ex, reunite. Noire and Innocent are both having a thirtysomething crisis. His former identity as a successful investment banker and eligible bachelor has disappeared. A beleaguered graduate student, she's got no money, no man, and no Ph.D., yet. A year of predoctoral research in Haiti leaves Noire drained. And a trip home to Côte d'Ivoire offers Innocent little more than intermittent sexual gratification. In the aftermath of 9/11, Innocent and Noire are back in New York City and find solace in each other's bed. But even that arrangement collapses under the weight of Innocent's revelation that he has unfinished business in Africa. For Innocent and Noire, patching together their unraveling lives becomes an exercise in hope and humility. With Hunger , Turnipseed lives up to the promise of A Love Noire and has matured into a writer who fearlessly explores the intersection of sex, love, identity, and loss in a cross-cultural context.

Genres: Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Erica Simone Turnipseed's debut novel, A Love Noire, won the Atlanta Choice Award Author of the Year from the Atlanta Daily World. In addition, Turnipseed was nominated for Breakout Author of the Year for the African American Literary Awards Show Open Book Award.

A philanthropist, Turnipseed founded the Five Years for the House Initiative, a fundraising drive for the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale. She lives with her husband in Brooklyn, New York.

Author interview here: http://www.harpercollins.com/author/a...

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Erica Simone Turnipseed's writing style. I wasn't expecting a happy sappy ending. A lot of relationships don't have them. But Noire and Innocent's relationship made no sense to me. I can understand being drawn to someone, and that being the only thing holding you together. That attraction. Or trying to sustain a relationship. But, being divided on issues such as class, and background. It just seemed like (in both books) Noire and Innocent's relationship was much more dramatic and complicated than it had to be. Anyway, still a very enjoyable read. I would love it if there was a threequel.

[Taya Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected, but beautiful in how realistic it is. I love that the main characters were able to address and work upon their flaws.

The only thing I wanted at the end was for the epilogue to include an update on Noire’s life.

[Linque Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely sobering in terms of love and learning to love but I don’t think people have to suffer that much trauma in such a short time frame.

[Victoria Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The romantic in me wanted a fairy tale but the writer in Turnipseed delivered a real tale of the ebb and flow of love. As in her debut novel, the prose is eloquent and tight. Noire and Innocent didn't do everything I wanted them to do but they held my attention, my hopes and my desires for them down to the last line. I was left with a yearning that could only be filled by another installment. And if that never happens, Turnipseed's writing will be enough to sustain me, no matter what story she chooses to write.

[Niccole E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess that I understand where she was going with this book but I could connect to it emotionally, like I did with A Love Noire. Also I didn't like the direction the novel took but I still have the most respect for Erica's writing skills even though I was disappointed with how things turned out for Noire and Innocent.

[Afiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book because I really liked her first book. This book seemed a bit crowded with various story lines. I think she may have tried to talk about too many issues in this one book. Yet, i would still recommend this book.

[Faith Nunley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I love how the characters developed from the previous novel, Love Noire. While I was saddened by the outcome, it was realistic. Not your typical love story, but a thoughtful and invoking read.

[Chevronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this sequel as much as I enjoyed the first. Maybe I was looking for a happily ever after...go figure.

[dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed this and her first book, A Love Noire. the story was good; i loved the different language and culture references.

[Nikki]

Loved It! Waiting to see what will be her next creation

[Kenitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the needed next step from "A Love Noire". It needed to finish the exploration ... It is the journey we are all on, discovering differences beyond the surface.

[Ashley-Dior Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as good as the first. Loved it!

[Mariette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to a love noire ....read this book in about two hours. *spoiler alert* the two main characters do not end up toegtehr which drove me crazy!!

[Sydelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Delves into the reality of grown up issues in relationships. Fantastic job by the writer.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful follow-up to Love Noire not what I expected but still VERY enjoyable.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Love Noire and loved it. The sequal Hunger seemed to lacked the expected story book ending.