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West End #4
Till You Hear from Me
From the acclaimed Pearl Cleage, author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day . . . and Seen It All and Done the Rest , comes an Obama-era romance featuring a cast of unforgettable characters.
Just when it appears that all her hard work on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is about to pay off with a White House job, thirty-five-year-old Ida B. Wells Dunbar finds herself on Washington, D.C.’s post-election sidelines even as her twentysomething counterparts overrun the West Wing. Adding to her woes, her father, the Reverend Horace A. Dunbar, Atlanta civil rights icon and self-described “foot soldier for freedom,” is notoriously featured on an endlessly replayed YouTube clip in which his pronouncements don’t exactly jibe with the new era in American politics.
The Rev’s stinging words and myopic views don’t sound anything like the man who raised Ida to make her mark in the world. When friends call to express their concern, Ida realizes it’s time to head home and see for herself what’s going on. Besides, with her job prospects growing dimmer, getting out of D.C. for a while might be the smartest move she could make.
Back in her old West End neighborhood, Ida runs into childhood friend and smooth political operator Wes Harper, also in town to pay a visit to the Reverend Dunbar, his mentor. Ida doesn’t trust Wes or his mysterious connections for one second, but she can’t deny her growing attraction to him.
While Ida and the Rev try to find the balance between personal loyalties and political realities, they must do some serious soul searching in order to get things back on track before Wes permanently derails their best laid plans.
Just when it appears that all her hard work on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is about to pay off with a White House job, thirty-five-year-old Ida B. Wells Dunbar finds herself on Washington, D.C.’s post-election sidelines even as her twentysomething counterparts overrun the West Wing. Adding to her woes, her father, the Reverend Horace A. Dunbar, Atlanta civil rights icon and self-described “foot soldier for freedom,” is notoriously featured on an endlessly replayed YouTube clip in which his pronouncements don’t exactly jibe with the new era in American politics.
The Rev’s stinging words and myopic views don’t sound anything like the man who raised Ida to make her mark in the world. When friends call to express their concern, Ida realizes it’s time to head home and see for herself what’s going on. Besides, with her job prospects growing dimmer, getting out of D.C. for a while might be the smartest move she could make.
Back in her old West End neighborhood, Ida runs into childhood friend and smooth political operator Wes Harper, also in town to pay a visit to the Reverend Dunbar, his mentor. Ida doesn’t trust Wes or his mysterious connections for one second, but she can’t deny her growing attraction to him.
While Ida and the Rev try to find the balance between personal loyalties and political realities, they must do some serious soul searching in order to get things back on track before Wes permanently derails their best laid plans.
270 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
72 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Pearl Cleage
43 books591 followersPearl Cleage is an African-American playwright, essayist, novelist, poet and political activist. She is currently the Playwright in Residence at the Alliance Theatre and at the Just Us Theater Company. Cleage is a political activist. She tackles issues at the crux of racism and sexism, and is known for her feminist views, particularly regarding her identity as an African-American woman. Her works are highly anthologized and have been the subject of many scholarly analyses. Many of her works across several genres have earned both popular and critical acclaim. Her novel What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (1997) was a 1998 Oprah's Book Club selection.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 17, 2010
Okay, hands down, Pearl Cleage is my favorite author of the last few years. I have yet to read anything of hers that wasn’t topnotch. She weaves a story like no one else. I first came to love her writing with What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day and have read and loved every novel she has written since then. Till You Hear from Me is no different.
The protagonist, Ida B., is a strong-willed daddy’s girl that has had a falling out with her Civil Rights legend father, the fictitious Reverend Horace A. Dunbar, due to his lack of support for Barack Obama. Cleage does an outstanding job of creating a story around the monumental 2008 election and some of the lesser known opinions and fears of older African American leaders and the community as a whole. She gives us a peek into discussions that continue to go on at several Black barber shops, kitchen tables and churches around the country. Will there be a passing of the torch or will the torch be extinguished due to lack of trust, misunderstanding and hurt feelings?
As with her previous novels, the characters are so real that you feel like know them. By using supporting characters and the community from her earlier works, Cleage gives credibility to the new characters and issues they face. She does such a good job of describing the community of West End, that it is almost a character in and of itself. While the community doesn’t serve as a focal point of this novel, the ideologies and way of life are very much on display. Who wouldn't want to live in West End? The people are very caring and look out for one another. Because of its history of activism, racial success and opportunity, Atlanta, and more specifically, the fictitious West End, is a fantastic setting for this story about the post- Obama ‘freedom high’ and the subsequent prospects, confusion and challenges that lie ahead.
Pearl Cleage continues to challenge social mores and bring attention to important issues through her writing. While this book allows you to feel socially conscious, it also highlights relationships. The love between a father and child, a leader and those that are led and the love of country, are all explored in this novel. Everything is intertwined to deliver a thought provoking read. will leave you feeling uplifted, refreshed and that anything is possible.
The protagonist, Ida B., is a strong-willed daddy’s girl that has had a falling out with her Civil Rights legend father, the fictitious Reverend Horace A. Dunbar, due to his lack of support for Barack Obama. Cleage does an outstanding job of creating a story around the monumental 2008 election and some of the lesser known opinions and fears of older African American leaders and the community as a whole. She gives us a peek into discussions that continue to go on at several Black barber shops, kitchen tables and churches around the country. Will there be a passing of the torch or will the torch be extinguished due to lack of trust, misunderstanding and hurt feelings?
As with her previous novels, the characters are so real that you feel like know them. By using supporting characters and the community from her earlier works, Cleage gives credibility to the new characters and issues they face. She does such a good job of describing the community of West End, that it is almost a character in and of itself. While the community doesn’t serve as a focal point of this novel, the ideologies and way of life are very much on display. Who wouldn't want to live in West End? The people are very caring and look out for one another. Because of its history of activism, racial success and opportunity, Atlanta, and more specifically, the fictitious West End, is a fantastic setting for this story about the post- Obama ‘freedom high’ and the subsequent prospects, confusion and challenges that lie ahead.
Pearl Cleage continues to challenge social mores and bring attention to important issues through her writing. While this book allows you to feel socially conscious, it also highlights relationships. The love between a father and child, a leader and those that are led and the love of country, are all explored in this novel. Everything is intertwined to deliver a thought provoking read. will leave you feeling uplifted, refreshed and that anything is possible.
May 11, 2010
My co-workers have heard ad nauseum about how excited I was to read this book. It starts out in D.C. (where I grew up) then moves to the West End neighborhood of Atlanta (where I live now) and even has a minor character named Toni (who is nothing like me, but makes me happy anyway). Thanks, Pearl!
After her estranged father, civil rights pioneer Rev. Horace Dunbar, makes some confusing, disparaging comments about the newly elected president, Ida Dunbar is called home by a family friend to help get to the bottom of things. She's hesitant to leave D.C. for a trip home to Atlanta, because she is waiting to hear about a job with the same administration that her father is condemning.
This is a very timely novel that draws upon the little talked about divide between the old school leaders of the Black community and the new school devotees of "Hope and Change". Although I felt that it wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly, I really enjoyed it.
After her estranged father, civil rights pioneer Rev. Horace Dunbar, makes some confusing, disparaging comments about the newly elected president, Ida Dunbar is called home by a family friend to help get to the bottom of things. She's hesitant to leave D.C. for a trip home to Atlanta, because she is waiting to hear about a job with the same administration that her father is condemning.
This is a very timely novel that draws upon the little talked about divide between the old school leaders of the Black community and the new school devotees of "Hope and Change". Although I felt that it wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly, I really enjoyed it.
April 8, 2017
Terrific
I truly enjoyed this book. I believe the ending could have been a little better. It was an easy and quick read. You understood the plot.
I truly enjoyed this book. I believe the ending could have been a little better. It was an easy and quick read. You understood the plot.
May 29, 2015
This was the first book that I've read by Pearl Cleage. I thought it was okay. The book is all about politics. Ida, one of the main characters, worked hard to help President Obama get elected, but she doesn't end up with a job at the White House after all. Meanwhile, her father, affectionately known as the Rev, has gone viral in a YouTube clip.
Admittedly, this book did get a good group discussion going about voter rights, confusing voter registration laws, the importance of grassroots campaigning to get people of color involved in the political process, etc., the writing of this title was a little flimsy.
The characters felt like they might be real, but the story itself would have benefited from good editing. The many characters and subplots were squeezed into a short book that should have been expanded or simplified.
Overall, I would recommend this title to fans of African American fiction, especially for readers with an interest in contemporary titles.
Admittedly, this book did get a good group discussion going about voter rights, confusing voter registration laws, the importance of grassroots campaigning to get people of color involved in the political process, etc., the writing of this title was a little flimsy.
The characters felt like they might be real, but the story itself would have benefited from good editing. The many characters and subplots were squeezed into a short book that should have been expanded or simplified.
Overall, I would recommend this title to fans of African American fiction, especially for readers with an interest in contemporary titles.
March 15, 2016
This was my first Pearl Cleage book. Unfortunately on page 18 she mentioned a "super nigger". What is that person exactly Ms. Cleage? Did the phrase enhance your writing? I don't think so. This novel is set in Atlanta 2008 and managed to have an Ida B, Flora, Iona and Fannie Lu. Those names were dragged in from the 1940's.
Ida B's chapters were in first person and Wes's chapters were in 3rd person. It made the book read a little strangely for me. Ida was not a dynamic or particularly interesting character but I liked Rev. We get to discover just how smart he is at the end of the story. I liked that part. The relationship between Rev and his wife was ludicrous.
One last thing, using the word negro 5 million times in a book set in 2008 is ridiculous. Was it supposed to be making a point I wonder. And if so, what?
Ida B's chapters were in first person and Wes's chapters were in 3rd person. It made the book read a little strangely for me. Ida was not a dynamic or particularly interesting character but I liked Rev. We get to discover just how smart he is at the end of the story. I liked that part. The relationship between Rev and his wife was ludicrous.
One last thing, using the word negro 5 million times in a book set in 2008 is ridiculous. Was it supposed to be making a point I wonder. And if so, what?
April 6, 2011
Let me start by saying, I LOVE Pearl Cleage writings. So I was surprised and disappointed in this novel. There was not the rich character development I have come to expect or the emotional attachment to one or more of the characters. It felt as if Ms. Cleage wrote this to fulfil a contractual agreement. Even re-visiting old characters did not redeem it for me. While this story may have been more highly rated if done by another writer, for a Pearl Cleage novel it was substandard.
December 31, 2010
I usually really enjoy Cleage's books but this was...ugh. Honestly, I couldn't even finish it. It was so boring. Halfway though I decided that life was too short to be forced to read something I didn't want to read. The storyline was dull and I didn't care for any of the characters. Very disappointing.
April 1, 2016
I love Pearl Cleage. But this book, not so much my favorite. I do love how she calls out patriarchy within our world, and also civil rights movements! As with many of her other books, there's a strong sense of community in this book and an under current of doing the right thing (good prevailing). This book was just OK to me. Not super compelling...
May 19, 2010
Another really good novel from Pearl Cleage! Simply-plotted, post-2008 election novel based in Atlanta's West End area. Pearl knows her audience well and does a fine job with this tale. Hope there's a sequel!
June 14, 2010
Very good book. Anticlimatic ending, tho.
Read
September 14, 2010Really good continuation in the Pearl Cleage "west end" saga. As a fan I am ready for a new setting and new characters. Good book though.
July 25, 2012
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, and if it weren't for the one-dimensional mustache-twirling villain I'd have given this four stars.
March 19, 2017
Many characters are named and briefly sketched. No one has depth. This is a surface story that you can skim through without being pulled in, even when the bad guys are being truly bad. If Cleage would dig more deeply, she could rewrite this story and make it into a highly entertaining thriller as well as an exploration of self and an exploration of the patterns of paternalism which is still deeply rooted within Black culture. She did not achieve this.
A Bit of History-
Modern American origins of contemporary Black Theology can be traced to July 31, 1966, when an ad hoc group of 51 concerned clergy, calling themselves the National Committee of Negro Churchmen (NCNC), bought a full page ad in the New York Times to publish their "Black Power Statement," which proposed a more aggressive approach to combating racism using the Bible for inspiration.[1]
On June 20, 1995, the Southern Baptist Convention supported a formal Declaration of Repentance. This non-binding (A creed is binding) resolution declared that racism, in all its forms, is deplorable" and "lamented on a national scale and is also repudiated in history as an act of evil from which a continued bitter harvest unfortunately is reaped." The convention offered an apology for "condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime" and repentance for "racism of which many have been guilty, whether consciously or unconsciously.[3][4]
A Bit of History-
Modern American origins of contemporary Black Theology can be traced to July 31, 1966, when an ad hoc group of 51 concerned clergy, calling themselves the National Committee of Negro Churchmen (NCNC), bought a full page ad in the New York Times to publish their "Black Power Statement," which proposed a more aggressive approach to combating racism using the Bible for inspiration.[1]
On June 20, 1995, the Southern Baptist Convention supported a formal Declaration of Repentance. This non-binding (A creed is binding) resolution declared that racism, in all its forms, is deplorable" and "lamented on a national scale and is also repudiated in history as an act of evil from which a continued bitter harvest unfortunately is reaped." The convention offered an apology for "condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime" and repentance for "racism of which many have been guilty, whether consciously or unconsciously.[3][4]
July 14, 2020
When people started posting reading lists for us white folk who wanted to be more woke to our inherent bias, someone called them out and said, "Don't just read slave narratives and civil rights era books! Read about every day lives, because we're normal people!" I am so glad I listened, because this book was beautiful. I loved every minute of it. There was a moment when I was afraid that it was going to turn into a typical good girl falls for the bad boy romance, and I am so happy [spoiler alert] that Ida B. has more sense than that. It started out feeling a little formulaic, but it rewrote the formula in such a wonderful way that I can't wait to read another Pearl Cleage book!
July 14, 2018
Another great read!
This is another saga in the lives of the community from West End. The book deals with family issues (reconciliation), the diverse beliefs and thoughts between the generations and politics. Everything centers around a deceptive event that is thwarted. As a result families are reconciled. Cleave is great at presenting current issue we deals with, mainly the new generation not remembering the struggles made to provide the opportunities and privileges we hold today.
This is another saga in the lives of the community from West End. The book deals with family issues (reconciliation), the diverse beliefs and thoughts between the generations and politics. Everything centers around a deceptive event that is thwarted. As a result families are reconciled. Cleave is great at presenting current issue we deals with, mainly the new generation not remembering the struggles made to provide the opportunities and privileges we hold today.
March 23, 2017
While the storyline was quite gentle, I enjoyed this book because Pearl Cleage really is a wonderful writer. She has so much more to show you than a plot in this book- we are taken to West End and submerged into the life and culture of a community as they embrace the election of Obama as President. The combination of politics, family relationships, community, civil rights and freedom are important and uplifting. This book encourages the reader to consider the enormity of Obama's election, and all the work of those before him who helped pave the way.
August 8, 2018
Pearl Cleage has a great writing style that’s breezy, but full of depth of character. Everyone rings true. This one about voter suppression after President Obama won the election is still ongoing. Laughter and tears and knowing how important grass root organizing comes through the book.
July 22, 2023
Believable Storyline
I was pleased with the plot. I would have like to know the end results/fates of the antagonists. I loved the historical references and how the author stressed that we must all protect our right to vote.
I was pleased with the plot. I would have like to know the end results/fates of the antagonists. I loved the historical references and how the author stressed that we must all protect our right to vote.
October 19, 2017
This book dragged on too long with insignificant storylines.
November 24, 2017
Till You Hear
I loved the author ‘s voice and the story line kept me on the edge of my seat. This wasn’t my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Well done!
I loved the author ‘s voice and the story line kept me on the edge of my seat. This wasn’t my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Well done!
November 25, 2017
I think this was a well written, edge of your seat, don't want to put it down, I can't believe he did that read. This is a must read.
February 16, 2018
Good book
Great character development, good story, and good writing make for a very readable book. This is my third Cleage book and it won’t be my last.
Great character development, good story, and good writing make for a very readable book. This is my third Cleage book and it won’t be my last.
November 28, 2018
A little rocky at first, then it picked up. General knew better, but it was a coincidence. Thought I’d read more about Babyboy. Ida was just a neutral character. I wonder how Kwame is making out.
August 29, 2019
I read it because it was part of the West End series but the story line was dull. I'm just not into politics like that, especially not for my leisure reading.
March 11, 2017
Loved it!
Wonderful story that brings the present (Obama as president) and the days of the Civil Rights movement together in such a loving and historical way. I love Pearl Cleage's West End stories! I can't wait to read her next one for the post Obama days. I'll never forget the phrase "blood on the ballots" or underestimate the meaning.
Wonderful story that brings the present (Obama as president) and the days of the Civil Rights movement together in such a loving and historical way. I love Pearl Cleage's West End stories! I can't wait to read her next one for the post Obama days. I'll never forget the phrase "blood on the ballots" or underestimate the meaning.
October 16, 2011
This book is advertised as an "Obama-era romance featuring a cast of unforgettable characters." The characters are good but they are forgettable except for Wes and that's merely because he's so ridiculously unlikable. I had hoped that the author would have a less-biased approach towards Wes, Toni and any other characters like them who believed that we are in a post-racial society and detest affirmative action and the like. Instead the author makes them caricatures without really exploring what circumstances in their personal history makes them feel that they can/should 'pimp the race' so-to-speak. Also there is no romance. I don't even know where that came from but it's such a false advertisement. I didn't care, I picked up the book because it used the words "Obama-era" (I kid you not) and I had heard good things about Pearl Cleage. The most frustrating part of the boo however is that one of the most exciting confrontations occurs off the pages. To say I was annoyed is putting it mildly, this book crawls along but I had been anxiously awaiting the confrontation. And then it was basically ignored!
Till You Hear From Me has frustrating ending and a far-from neutral tone combined with slow pace which makes it hard to really like the book. I did enjoy reading about what it might be like to be the child of a civil rights legend and how that affects Ida's view of life. The Rev can be suffocating and very proud but he's also very loving and Ida is constantly inspired by him so it's interesting to read about her struggle to find a balance in their relationship so that The Rev no longer dominates her life. Also the author touches on discontent amongst some in the Black community who originally supported Pres. Obama but now want him to do more for Black people and her approach is more even concerning those characters. Fun fact: as much as The Poisonwood Bible annoyed me I was pleased that because of that book I knew who Fannie Lu Lumumba was named after (freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba of Congo). The storyline was original, the writing good but it did not wow me. The characters all resembled people I know so it felt like reading a book about the people I know all grown-up.
PS I did love this conversation between Flora and Ida
"'And I want to be part of that [changes in America] more than I ever wanted to be part of anything so that when I get old, I can look around and see the changes and say, Yeah I helped make that happen.'
We just sat there for a minute. I think I was talking to myself as much as I was talking to Flora.
'Well,' she said finally. 'I think you can stop worrying about looking for that real good man.'
'Why is that?'
'You just fell in love with your country, girlfriend, and nobody can compete with that." pg. 222 I LOVE that quote because I felt the same way right after then-Sen. Obama won the presidential campaign. It was definitely the moment I fell in love with my country (obviously I'd always loved America but this was the first conscious moment I remember really feeling proud).
Till You Hear From Me has frustrating ending and a far-from neutral tone combined with slow pace which makes it hard to really like the book. I did enjoy reading about what it might be like to be the child of a civil rights legend and how that affects Ida's view of life. The Rev can be suffocating and very proud but he's also very loving and Ida is constantly inspired by him so it's interesting to read about her struggle to find a balance in their relationship so that The Rev no longer dominates her life. Also the author touches on discontent amongst some in the Black community who originally supported Pres. Obama but now want him to do more for Black people and her approach is more even concerning those characters. Fun fact: as much as The Poisonwood Bible annoyed me I was pleased that because of that book I knew who Fannie Lu Lumumba was named after (freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba of Congo). The storyline was original, the writing good but it did not wow me. The characters all resembled people I know so it felt like reading a book about the people I know all grown-up.
PS I did love this conversation between Flora and Ida
"'And I want to be part of that [changes in America] more than I ever wanted to be part of anything so that when I get old, I can look around and see the changes and say, Yeah I helped make that happen.'
We just sat there for a minute. I think I was talking to myself as much as I was talking to Flora.
'Well,' she said finally. 'I think you can stop worrying about looking for that real good man.'
'Why is that?'
'You just fell in love with your country, girlfriend, and nobody can compete with that." pg. 222 I LOVE that quote because I felt the same way right after then-Sen. Obama won the presidential campaign. It was definitely the moment I fell in love with my country (obviously I'd always loved America but this was the first conscious moment I remember really feeling proud).
March 3, 2014
This book was good, I give it that. But there were so many things that I disliked about it, that I just could not give it a higher rating. #1. I did not like the language that was continually used in this book. It just seemed like she didn't know any other words. Ex. (her repetition for the word negro. This word did not need to be used as much as it was. Many times, it could have easily been substituted by the word people.) (And she kept using the reference west end. Yes, everyone knows that the book is set in Atlanta, there's no need to keep reminding us every two sentences.) Overall, the plot was good even though the reader could already figure out the outcome of the story. I felt like the story dragged in some parts. One main thing that I liked was getting two different perspectives. That really helped with the understanding of the story. This was an interesting story idea, but I do believe that the author could have executed it in a more fulfilling way.
I did not really like the main character Ida B. She seemed so childish to me and I just could not over it. I wanted her to grow up and stop acting the way she did....so scared of everything. I believe that there is a fine line between respect and just....taking anything. Ida B. just took anything that her father dished out and then complained about it later. (Like the typical teenager). I think that she needed to get a backbone and stand up for herself because that was just ridiculous.
So I gave this book a 3/5 because of a dislike of the main character, and some repetition, and some dragging.
I did not really like the main character Ida B. She seemed so childish to me and I just could not over it. I wanted her to grow up and stop acting the way she did....so scared of everything. I believe that there is a fine line between respect and just....taking anything. Ida B. just took anything that her father dished out and then complained about it later. (Like the typical teenager). I think that she needed to get a backbone and stand up for herself because that was just ridiculous.
So I gave this book a 3/5 because of a dislike of the main character, and some repetition, and some dragging.
August 4, 2010
My girlfriend gave me this book after coming down to be with my family after the passing of my father. She thought I would need to immerse myself in books and stay busy and we all love Ms. Cleage's writing.
It took me so long to read it considering, I usually finish Pearl's books in a day or so, because I just enjoy her writing so much. Some days I just didnt feel like picking it up.
As always she dealt with topics very familiar to me, the election of our nation's 1st AA POTUS, the freshness and change that he symbolizes and the shoulders on which he stands, those who paved the way for him to enter the role of Commander and Chief. She through a fictional story shares the ugliness and division outside & within th AA community since the election of President Barack Obama.
As always, I enjoyed the book, although I cried a lot thinking of my dad while reading the beautiful relationship of main characters "Ida B. Dunbar and her father civil rights activist Rev. Horace Dunbar". It was not the main theme (father/daughter relationship) as always her book was about community and the affect this administration has had directly on it due to outside forces. But that theme, reminded me while dealing with the loss of my dad - how very blessed I was and am to have had my father almost 37 years - who also loved and fought hard for his little girl.
It took me so long to read it considering, I usually finish Pearl's books in a day or so, because I just enjoy her writing so much. Some days I just didnt feel like picking it up.
As always she dealt with topics very familiar to me, the election of our nation's 1st AA POTUS, the freshness and change that he symbolizes and the shoulders on which he stands, those who paved the way for him to enter the role of Commander and Chief. She through a fictional story shares the ugliness and division outside & within th AA community since the election of President Barack Obama.
As always, I enjoyed the book, although I cried a lot thinking of my dad while reading the beautiful relationship of main characters "Ida B. Dunbar and her father civil rights activist Rev. Horace Dunbar". It was not the main theme (father/daughter relationship) as always her book was about community and the affect this administration has had directly on it due to outside forces. But that theme, reminded me while dealing with the loss of my dad - how very blessed I was and am to have had my father almost 37 years - who also loved and fought hard for his little girl.
July 18, 2011
Another good story by author of I Wish I Had A Red Dress and Feel Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day! Family, old guard civil rights activists, and tampering with voter registration forms are central to this latest Pearl Cleage story. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, Ida B. returns to her childhood home when lifelong family friend Luna encourages her to return after her father, Reverend Dunbar is in a You-Tube video talking about illegal Mexicans in a less than flattering manner. Ida reluctantly returns home where she runs into an old childhood friend, Wes, who Ida realizes she doesn't trust but she finds herself attracted to him. In the meantime Ida and her father, must settle some differences in order to keep their career/life plans on track before they are ruined by Wes.
Good read, good ending about family relationships, and friends who are like family.
Good read, good ending about family relationships, and friends who are like family.
August 22, 2010
I was not sure if I was only to read this book, but after reading some excerpts I decided that I would enjoy this story. I was pleasantly surprised how much I did enjoy this story. It was a quick entertaining read with serious undertones of the directions of society in the times of President Obama. This is a wonderful book discussion book because of all of the themes running through the story, that there is something in here for everyone. While reading this book, I found myself shaking my head in agreement with the many of the characters and their thoughts on - struggle, freedom, marriage, being independent, and remembering about folks who also smile up in your face. This book is a reminder that each one of us is responsible for ourselves and our community as a whole.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews