Blackgammon

by Heather Neff

A sweeping, unforgettable debut novel that traces remarkable parallel voyages of self-discovery, Blackgammon reveals the intertwined lives of two African American soul sisters whose vow to stay true to one another will carry them through love, loss, and triumph on the way to finding out who they really are–and who they were meant to be. . . .

Legendary artist Chloe Emmanuel has been swept up into the seductive world of high fashion and art gallery intrigues in Paris. She’s so devoted to her craft that she can’t find room to love. A young idealist working in England, distinguished professor Michael Davies Northcross has modeled her life on the lies that Chloe has lived and now faces a crisis in her marriage. Unwilling to sacrifice the dreams they dared to make real, Chloe and Michael are forced to the limits of their strength and independence. They must gamble everything to recapture what they have lost . . . in a dazzling game called

BLACKGAMMON

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2000

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two women vow to stay true to each other and to never allow a man to interfere with their dreams. The story tells of their struggles, joys and pain as they grow and learn some surprising things about themselves.

[Carmen Turner]

Another one that I simply loved. An African-American artist goes to Paris to explore her art and find herself.

[Michael Dadourian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can only wonder, how well the author knows, Chloe, as Dr. Heather Neff writes her, so passionately.

[Peachy Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous! It’s amazing how many narratives are present in this heartfelt book. I felt very attached to Chloe’s journey and wish it hadn’t come to an end.

[Genevieve Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book, Chloe Emmanuel sought out to explore her Art in Paris and to find herself in the process. She met many lovers along the way, some were parasites and some inspired her to greatness. She was only able to accept herself after accepting her past hurts of rape by her brother and the secret that followed the pains behind her painting. After abandoning her true love (Emil), she was able to release the pain that haunted her since childhood (age 5) and allow her to love again. Emil was her true love and realized that by letting her go, he could allow her to understand her need for his uncondtionaling love. He understood her passion for the Arts, Love and Self-worthy as an African Black Woman in Paris. He waited 25 years to marry her and seven (7) of those years were in the shadow as she search to reclaim her self as an African Black Woman from the men in her life, pulling her off course from her dream to be a successful Artist in Paris. Genevieve