Rating: 
Summary: Between Lovers is an Enigma...
Review: I have now read all of Eric Jerome Dickey's books and this one is the most racy. I commend Dickey for taking an artistic chance to explore a topic that not too many African Americans address.There are several themes Dickey addresses in his latest novel, Between Lovers: Family Relationships in particular, father and son, mother and daughter, homesexuality, man and woman relationships, spirituality vs. religion, identity, addiction to a person, forgiveness, and civic duty. It seems like alot, but Dickey develops his characters and delivers messages with incomparable delicacy and openness. There are many times in the book where you want to strangle the narrator or shout at him because you can't understand why he would chase this woman around and basically sacrifice his personal dignity in the name of love. But I couldn't help comparing it to the behavior of many women who relentlessly chase a man when it is clear that he is not emotionall available to them. In this book it is clearly from the inside of a man! It made me think twice about how I see men and their emotional capabilites. "Is he for real?" was a constant question I would ask myself while reading. Dickey explored the underground and above ground world of sexuality between women. The relationship that his former fiance, Nicole has with a high powered attorney, Ayanna, is not based on sex. It is a relationship based on trust, honesty and intimacy. Any steretypes or opinions that people may have developed about gay women will be altered after reading this novel. It also challenges your beliefs about how love is shown and how it can be expressed in human relationships. Another issue Dickey addressed is the issue of religion vs. sprituality. The ability to believe in God, but also to have other belief systems and question your own. For instance the women use reflexology to cure their hormonal issues. He also mentions many books on a variety of religions that Nicole and Ayanna read. The women as well as the narrator have questioned authorative figures in their own lives, much to their belligerent chagrin, who helped shape their belief system. Family relationships was an extremely important theme in this novel. If you are like me than you have had issues with at least one of your parents in your lifetime. Dickey explores this and shows us that reconciliation can be achieved with acceptance. There is nothing harder than emotionally detaching from your parents, but Dickey tackles it. At the end there is a particularly moving scene in which the character is given acceptance by a father who for awhile disapproves of his "life force," writing. As I bring this to a close, I will mention what I consider to be "negatives." The ending is dragged out and is almost too dramatic. You want to tell him, "to get over it" much quicker than he actually does. There are times you just want to get rid of Nicole yourself because you just don't get how she can so openly manipulate two people and they still adore her. His best-friend, Andre, I would have liked to see a plot unravel that involves him. Unlike his other books that intertwine many characters and their plots this book concentrates solely on his desire to break free from Nicole's "spell." But Dickey keeps the novel moving so quickly that you forgive him for omitting more "down to earth" charcters and for so blatantly adding in the probation cariacture of the accident witness, which was completely unncessary and degrading. Let's not forget the unhelpful references to the novel, "lolita." That book is about a child molester who obviously has mental problems. yet Dickey felt the need to keep referring to it throughout the novel as if it would help people to understand his obsession. As a woman and a survivor of abuse, I was highly offended.Unless you have read the book in a lit class somewhere it just takes up space. But it is definetely a novel you want to carry with you in your purse until you finish!
Rating: 
Summary: Renewed Faith in EJD
Review: Although "Liar's Game" disappointed me, I was willing to give the writer another chance to impress me with "Between Lovers." I was mentally stimulated by the synopsis of the story and once I began reading, I could not put it down until I finished the book 9 hours later . This book illustrates EJD's versatility. In this book, he ventures deeply into Erotica, which proved to be mentally and physically stimulating. The dialogue was witty and funny. Thank you EJD for renewing my faith in your work [post-Liar's Game]. This book was EXCELLENT!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointeed
Review: I ALWAYS look forward to reading Mr. Dickey's books and I rushed out to buy this one as did his others, however, I was completely disappointed. I did not too care for the storyline or the characters. I thought the book was SLOW and after a while I couldn't continue to take the torture and ended up skipping to see what happened in the end. Despite this, Mr. Dickey is still my favorite author. I continue to look foward to reading his books.
Rating: 
Summary: so disappointed
Review: As a long time fan of EJD, I must say that this book was a big disappointment to me. The plot was very weak, and compared to his other books it seems as though it was a rush job. I think EJD should be commended for taking on such a sensitive matter, but his treatment of it leaves much to be desired. The narrator is nameless, a technique used by Ellison in Invisible Man, but I fail to see Dickey's point. However, the lack of a name does not hinder the plot. (there isn't much of one as it is) I was also disappointed in the amount of typos in this book. What's wrong with the editors? There are typos throughout the book! They slowed me down. I read this book in 3 days because I wanted to see if EJD would redeem himself and make me proud once again. He didn't. Finally, this book is a failure in my opinion, because the sex is a bit too detailed. EJ has been very tasteful until now, but he went over the top. In some cases I thought I was reading porn. I love his work, but he has to come better next time!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Anyway!
Review: Ejd this book brought on great frustration or let's say the narrator. He loved her greatly or did he? Maybe he was like Ayanna infatuated with her. Well Nicole wasn't all that and never will be. To me she was very selfish, she made her decision and she should have lived with it. Does this really happen with guys? Women will move mountains I guess some men will too Huh. Well again I feel the book came through just as your others have. Your sense of humor is great! I was also impressed with your dad, I like his strength. Keep me reading!
Rating:
Summary: Bravo!!
Review: Between Lovers...what can I say? This book spoke to me in so many ways. Sure some of the subject matter was very descriptive and may have been far fetched. But I found a deeper message in the book, I felt the pain of being in Love with someone who you just can't have to yourself. This book was an outstanding work, espicially if you read between the lines, and look into the hearts of the characters..
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!!!
Review: I am very much a fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, and was very disappointed with this latest book. It seems as though he would rather journey into the realm of "erotica", rather than write a good book with some substance. The characters left alot to be desired, and at times seemed so shallow and ignorant that I put the book down, whereas in previous books I could relate, and actually laugh, cry and feel for them - this was not the case this time. The book seems like he was in a rush to get it finished, as though on some sort of deadline. Very let down!! Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I will donate my copy to the library - maybe someone else will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Best Novel By Far
Review: Between Lovers I must say is EJD best novel by far. The story is completely different from his previous works. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read something new and erotic.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting! Even a mystery at times!!!
Review: As always you've done a great job! It kept me wondering when was the narrater going to let go! I guess that's what love is . The book overall was a real good read. I did like the strength of the father. Enjoyed the book wholeheartily!!!!!!!!!!! Keep Me Reading!
Rating:
Summary: Erotica is out of character for EJD.
Review: I am a fan of Eric Jerome Dickey. I have read all of his books and enjoyed them highly for the exception of Between Lovers. I bought the book w/o knowing what it was about simply because I have enjoyed his previous books. Call me closed-minded, but this book has so much explicit sex and vulgarity, I had to speed read. There were times when I wanted to just rip this pages and throw the book away, but I had to give the writer the benefit of the doubt and hope there was some light at the end of the tunnel. I have read all of E. Lynn Harris' books and I am familiar with the content of his books, but I feel that this story was so out of character for Eric Jerome Dickey. I hope the next book is better and not a sequel to Between Lovers.
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