Accident of Birth: A Novel

by Heather Neff

A woman must decide between two lovers and two worlds—Africa and America—in a riveting, courageous journey
 
“A modern romance with global scope . . . Not since Marita Golden’s Migrations of the Heart has a writer so deftly played the heartstrings that swing between Africa and African Americans.”—Veronica Chambers
 
Reba Freeman’s current husband, Carl, has given her all the wealth a suburban wife could hope for. But Reba’s life is turned inside out once she learns that her first husband, Joseph Thomas, is being held by the World Court for crimes against humanity.
 
Joseph, a gifted Liberian student, had dreams of returning to his native land with his wife and educating his people, yet because of mysterious circumstances, Reba didn’t accompany him to Liberia. Now, twenty years later, she must decide if helping her first husband is worth the risk of losing her comfortable world.
 
Alternating between present-day action and flashbacks, Accident of Birth creates an intricate tapestry of suspense, drama, and romance. Neff boldly exposes the rift between American comforts and the traumas of the world we choose to ignore, creating a moving novel that readers will talk about for a long time.

Genres: Contemporary

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[Jessica Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author, Heather Neff, was a literature professor at my Alma mater—Eastern Michigan University. We read her book Wisdom during my African-American literature class. So when I saw Accident of Birth in a free little library with the used book store sticker of EMU, I had to grab it.

First, I want to acknowledge that Heather Neff truly understands nuance with characters, she understands how to make them feel like real people with all of their faults and ugliness. Characters I really liked had moments I despised them, and despicable characters had times where they showed genuine empathy. These felt like real people, and I got the feeling the point of the book wasn’t to make the reader fall in love with them.

Second, this story was complicated and very ambitious, but I felt like she carried it off very well. Her writing is both simple and sophisticated, the mark of a great writer.

Finally, the story defied cliches, things didn’t unfold as you would expect them to. While it ended on a hopeful note, this isn’t a happily ever after type book. Much was left to ponder at the end

Very highly recommend this book, as well as the audiobook as the narrator did a fantastic job with the different accents

[Genevieve Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a good read, too many confusing plots.

[Dacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine but I didn't like the story. This was a weird kind of love triangle. I didn't like Carl's or Reba's blatant lack of consideration of each other's feelings. The both acted selfishly. Joseph was admirable and Marisa was very wise to be so young.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written book with a storyline that will hold your interest as it unfolds. The characters are well developed and a surprising twist to the main character's life is unexpectedly revealed in a sobering way that creates compassion instead of judgment.

[Marybeth Koberna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

[Vernetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. The book makes you think about the different cultures and how we react to people not really allowing ourselves to get to know the individual.