A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Rating:
Summary: Truly Awesome
Review: I may be partly biased when it comes to this book seeing that I am truly a fan of Terry McMillian. But I must admit this book is truly awesome! Terry has not lost her touch at all! She continues to make you feel like you have known these characters all of your life, and that you are somehow connected to them by blood. I am not a very emotional person but I knew this book was a winner when I found myself crying at one part. It is a must read for all families that are not so "normal" (are any of us?). Dont miss out on this great read and come up "A day late and A Dollar Short".

Rating:
Summary: Terry continues to improve
Review: Goodness! This was definitely one of her better writings. It is humorous, heart wrenching, and an overall quite impressive piece of work. I loved the entire book. The flow, the characters, and the presentationS were OUTSTANDING!!!!! YOU ARE MISSING OUT IF YOU DON'T READ THIS ONE.

Rating:
Summary: Another wonderful offering from Terry McMillan...
Review: Terry McMillan really knows how to bring life to some fascinating characters. I have enjoyed all of her previous novels, and *A Day Late and a Dollar Short* was no exception. My on-line book club met for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this year, and we could not pass up the opportunity to pick a novel set in the very town we stayed. I think all fans of McMillan's previous works will enjoy this comedy, drama and romance all tied into one book.

The novel examines how a family evolves as the children grow up, the parents grow apart, and the children have children of their own. Cecil and Viola, former barbeque franchise owners, have split up, and their kids Paris, Janelle, Lewis and Charlotte are left holding all of the pieces. Paris, a single mother of a promiscuous athlete for a son, has often been responsible for raising her three younger siblings. Charlotte, married and with children, is barely able to finish an argument over the phone with her mother and siblings without hanging up on them. Lewis has trouble staying off the bottle and out of prison. And Janelle, the baby, has had to deal with inferiority issues all her life.

At times, you'll laugh, at times you'll cry, but you'll know that you're reading a fine example of McMillan's writing. Put this on your wishlist; it's a must...

Rating:
Summary: Typical Terry Mac
Review: "A Day Late And a Dollar Short" contains all the requisite ingredients of a Terry McMillan novel: triflin' African-American men -- oops, that's redundant in Terry Mac World -- and a bunch of middle-class, flawed, neck-rockin', finger-waggin', attitude-for-days, always-hooked-up-with-the-wrong-Brotha-but-despite-everything-still-got-it-goin'-on, strong-willed, spirited and righteous African-American women -- including that one Sista who's had it up to here with these no-good Brothas and done gone and got herself a white one.

The group of women here -- principally Viola and her three adult daughters -- despite their obvious human imperfections are the fuel that drives this novel and the people who keep this family alive. The men are virtually useless, though the younger ones have some potential.

And as with all Terry Mac creations, I'm left unfulfilled with no payoff and nagged by the strong suspicion that this piece of fiction is nothing more than a million-dollar way station on the way to a million-dollar film payday for Terry Mac.

It does seem as though she's at least attempted to create a star vehicle for an older Black actress. And for that, shout-out to Terry Mac. But for god's sake, please cast somebody, anybody, but Whoopi. I like Mary Alice. Maybe even Marla Gibbs or Loretta Divine if she can play it old enough.

Rating:
Summary: Love every word!
Review: A Day Late and a Dollar short makes you think you actually know the characters, or at least someone like them. They seemed to jump off the page. Ms. McMillan was interviewed in my area by a local morning TV show which was aired on the day the book made its debut. She was asked the question whether or not she foresees a movie being made from A Day Late and a Dollar Short. Her answer was "No, there are too many characters." After reading the book, I understand her point. But this is not to say that the book is NOT movie material. She was also asked by the interviewer what she wants readers to obtain after reading the book. Her answer: "If you have members in your family who are similar to the characters in the book, cut them some slack. Sometimes we are too hard on one another." I thought this was a great answer. Read it, you'll enjoy it. I loved the main character!

If I were to cast actors for the movie version of A Day Late and a Doller Short they would be as follows:

Viola and Cecil's children, their spouses and their children are outlined below:
Paris and her ex-husband Nathan would be played by
Lynn Whitfield and Kevin Hooks
Their child: Dingus would be played by Merlin
Santana (Romeo from the Steve Harvey Show)

Charlotte and her husband, Albert Toussaint, would be
played by:
Jada Pinkett-Smith and Gary Dourdan (CSI)
Their children would be played by: Jurnee Smollett
(Tiffany), Raven Simone (Monique); Cisquo (Trevor)

Janelle and 2nd husband George Porter: Lela Rochon
Fuqua and Wesley Snipes
Shanice (Janelle's child from her 1st marriage):
Mya

Lewis, his ex-wife Donetta and their son, Jamil:
Blair Underwood, Vanessa L. Williams and Aaaron Meeks
(the young boy from Soul Food the series).
Cecil's, girlfriend, Brenda - Vivica Fox

Unknowns would be cast for the following roles: George Porter's children and his ex-wife, Arlene; Todd and Heather (Donetta's husband and new baby girl); Jimmy (Janelle's first husband); Viola's two sisters, Suzie Mae and Priscilla; Priscilla's husband and their three children would also be played by unknowns.

Coming up with actors for this book's characters was not an easy task. The difficulty stems from my attempt to cast the appropriate character for each role and the amount of characters in the book. I understand why Ms. McMillan feels that making a movie based on this book would be difficult. Whew! It was fun though!

Making the book into a movie was just for fun. If you haven't already done so, read the book.

Rating:
Summary: HA HA HA HA!
Review: TERRY MCMILLAN has flexed her creative muscles again and may the heavens open up for her in the same manner as it did for her in her famous tome, "Waiting to Exhale." What a wonderful talent she has which sets her apart from the crowd. While everyone was trying to duplicate (cash-in on) her style in her previous book-turned movie gold-mine, she busied herself with an entirely different format. For the children of today who enjoy toys that reinvent themselves from being a frog to being a supersonic jet, they can easily accept the new-stylied McMillan in this masterpiece. Beyond age 12 however, we find it to be amazing that such a transformation can and, in fact, has taken place. I guess it is hard for us to believe that an old dog can have new tricks.

McMillan's tricks sure make me laugh. Her writing style in which she mixes characters thoughts with their conversations force you to not realize where the thoughts end and the conversations begins. The characters are larger than large this way. I found myself laughing over and over as Cecil and Viola slipped in and out of the pages leaving the very essences of their being. God bless their sweet soles. I am called to relate the characters in this book to many people I've encountered and I am SURE you will be able to say the same. So, if it is a good laugh you're in need of and easy reading, do pamper yourself with McMillan's reflections on how life is in the real world and laugh at yourself when bits and pieces of your life appear in her print. Tell me what parts you relate to by sending me a note.

Rating:
Summary: Brings you inside
Review: I think that this is great book thats takes you inside so many points of view. You can relate to a lot of the situations in the story also ex: Sibling favored over you, Siblings in trouble and getting them out, being used, abuse etc. I think that book represents lots of families that wants to stay together and spend time with each other but there is always something in their way.

Rating:
Summary: Terry, do you know any of my family members girl?!!!
Review: This book was very well written and it was worth the wait! I love the characters Terry choose to use for this book. I almost thought she knew some of my family members for a minute.

Viola was the mother that told it like it was whether your feelings got hurt or not. (sounds like my grandma)Cecil was her husband who loved her dearly, but did not feel appreciated so he left and found him a young woman in the projects with kids! Lewis was the son who kept ending up in jail and every time according to him it was never his fault. Paris("Miss Perfect")and the favorite child according to everybody is always to everybody's rescue, but her own. I felt sorry for her at times because she kept her problems bottled up so she could help her siblings with theirs. Janelle the baby of the family had some serious issues in this book with her teenage daughter that will bring tears to your eyes. AND Charolette MY FAVORITE character who had nothing in common with her family, but blood. Charolette was just like her mom telling people off and not caring about their feelings. Charolette and her mom did not get along in my opinion because they were too much alike!!!

Terry, you did a wonderful job writing this book. I laughed and cried throughout this book. The only thing I did not like about this book is that it had to come to an end!!! Terry, PLEEEEEASE DON'T KEEP ME WAITNG TOO LONG FOR YOUR NEXT NOVEL! I would give you more than five stars for this book if I could. (**********)

I recommend this book to everyone you will not be disappointed!!!

Rating:
Summary: Could have been better
Review: The book is good. It show a side of real life in the black community. I found myself reading this book and matching the people to real life people I know. I also saw myself in this book, which person I will not saw. Good job Terry!!!!

Rating:
Summary: i love this book
Review: this book is the best. i couldn't put it down. i'm a college student so its usually hard for me to read anything but my school books, but i caught myself carrying this book around with me to classes just in case i had extra time to read. definately reccomend it to others.