Rating: 
Summary: All that and more
Review: I had been passing this book over in the bookstore for whatever reason so many times, but the other night i decided to buy it and most say I loved reading the book. It's the story of Solomon who's torn between three women, one in Ghana, one in the Caribbean, and New York. Miriam is the older lady who delivered him, who he spends his winters with, and Summers are spent with the young Ashia,and then there is Sam who's his book editor. All three of the women are in love with him, as he are with them. I liked how the author included all three cultures. I can't wait for her next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Busia brings out the beauty of human nature...
Review: I have never read a book like this one before. The story's many twists make for a provocative and fascinating plot. I was completely entranced at times - feeling the pain, the sadness, and the joy of the characters. What a beautiful story and exploration of human emotion! If someone was to base a movie on the novel, I doubt that it would ever come close to capturing the charisma that the book does.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, pulls you in without you knowing,
Review: I loved this book. It's one of my favorite. It was lyrical and the story was heart warming and life affirming. I felt it was a humanistic and loving take on the serious issues we all face in life. I found it a very easy and enjoyable read once you get into it.I can't wait to read future works by Ms. Busia. I hope they choose to make this book a movie and a really good one.
Rating:
Summary: a Visually Cascading Novel
Review: I originally wrote this review December 14,1998 and it is still one of my favourite books
I enjoy a good book that sparks discussion, that elicits strong feelings from those who are brave enough to complete reading the work. Busia, with The Seasons of Beento Blackbird, presents a visually cascading novel in which the reader will find it difficult to put down. The controversial topic of polygamy is one that many will debate for years. And although Polyandry has not been explored much (one woman with many men), except in one book which comes to mind entitled Tamika Jones' Adventure, the subject of many partners has always been a heated one, especially in the western world. The Seasons of Beento Blackbird is a colourful book evoking images surely for the screen. The author, having many experiences in the film world, writes in a fashion that reflects her deserving work as an actour. And this is not to say that her writing is of lesser literary worth. To the contrary this work brings with it the hues and sounds, tastes and feels, which is warranted in many a read and is the substance of a good book. Lasting and thoughtful. The fusion of the Caribbean, American, and African is an important issue in Black society. The juxtaposition of these three worlds once separated, to converge again would be a force to reckon with. Economically as well as politically. Without deliberating the politicalness of Busia's subject matter. Beento Blackbird is a continuum of the art which is of an African tradition. Africans, African-Americans, and Caribbean-Americans have throughout history written about their conditions and the education of their people. This goes back as far as we can see in the documentation of Black theatre and dance which are all part of the oral tradition. Through this belief, it is said that one can teach and learn through the way of life: Art, ultimately for the good of enlightening the people. Art for entertainment sake is a fine thing. Yet we ask ourselves the age old question: Does art imitate life? Many great writers have pondered this question through their work. Busia has blended entertainment and the instruction in this work quite splendidly. An affirmation we should all strive to achieve in our work in order to create the world we all; Black, White, Red, and Yellow, wish to live. Unlike the onslaught of Black relationship books that have been published, this is an important work, and a delightful read.-Yasmain E. Soya-A NYC Patron of the arts and writer.
Rating:
Summary: This book takes you there and you want to stay a while
Review: I read this book for the first time 6 years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I have been waiting with bated breath for Ms. Busia to write another book. I suggested Beento Blackbird for my book club and recently re-read it. It was even better the second time around. This is on my top 10 list of all time favorite books. Ms. Busia is a very gifted writer and story teller. The way she linked the Carribean, Africa and the United States through the experiences of one man (Solomon) was masterful. The thing that most impressed me about the book was that she dared to tackle a "taboo" subject, polygamy, and did it in such a manner as to not put off the reader. As an American woman, my instinctual response to Solomon would be to dislike him and write him off as a cad. And, to some extent, I feel that he was a cad. However, I was still able to care about him and empathize with him. I also liked how she presented the subject matter from the point of view of the wives, Miriam and Ashia. I was able to understand their motives and why they made the decisions they made, whether or not I agreed with those decisions. Another thing I liked is that all three main characters were strong. Even in times of weakness, you could still feel their strength. Neither character sold themselves out. I respected them. By the same token, the author's character development was so complete that even the peripheral characters were significant and I was able to see their importance to the story. Her prose is very lyrical and descriptive. I felt transported to the Carribean and Ghana. I could feel the breeze from the ocean, I could smell and taste the foods, I could see the people and their activities, I could hear the music, the language... I was completely enthralled. I love when a book takes me to another place and I feel as if I am walking right beside the characters as they are living their stories. This book does that for me. Some members of my book club commented that she was a bit too "wordy" in the beginning (I did not feel this way), but were glad they "stuck it out" as the story unfolded and they enjoyed the rest of the book. I also like that the ending provides closure. You are fairly certain of the fates of the characters and not left "hanging."
Nevertheless, Ms. Busia, I'm still holding my breath, waiting on another novel from you. How long before I can finally "exhale?" ;-)
Rating:
Summary: This book takes you there and you want to stay a while
Review: I read this book for the first time 6 years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I have been waiting with bated breath for Ms. Busia to write another book. I suggested Beento Blackbird for my book club and recently re-read it. It was even better the second time around. This is on my top 10 list of all time favorite books. Ms. Busia is a very gifted writer and story teller. The way she linked the Carribean, Africa and the United States through the experiences of one man (Solomon) was masterful. The thing that most impressed me about the book was that she dared to tackle a "taboo" subject, polygamy, and did it in such a manner as to not put off the reader. As an American woman, my instinctual response to Solomon would be to dislike him and write him off as a cad. And, to some extent, I feel that he was a cad. However, I was still able to care about him and empathize with him. I also liked how she presented the subject matter from the point of view of the wives, Miriam and Ashia. I was able to understand their motives and why they made the decisions they made, whether or not I agreed with those decisions. Another thing I liked is that all three main characters were strong. Even in times of weakness, you could still feel their strength. Neither character sold themselves out. I respected them. By the same token, the author's character development was so complete that even the peripheral characters were significant and I was able to see their importance to the story. Her prose is very lyrical and descriptive. I felt transported to the Carribean and Ghana. I could feel the breeze from the ocean, I could smell and taste the foods, I could see the people and their activities, I could hear the music, the language... I was completely enthralled. I love when a book takes me to another place and I feel as if I am walking right beside the characters as they are living their stories. This book does that for me. Some members of my book club commented that she was a bit too "wordy" in the beginning (I did not feel this way), but were glad they "stuck it out" as the story unfolded and they enjoyed the rest of the book. I also like that the ending provides closure. You are fairly certain of the fates of the characters and not left "hanging."
Nevertheless, Ms. Busia, I'm still holding my breath, waiting on another novel from you. How long before I can finally "exhale?" ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely first-rate...must read...very entertaining
Review: I read this book two years ago and still recommend it today. Very entertaining,funny, thought provoking look into the life of a very ambtious man and the web he weaves when he allows himself to fall in love with two women. The author takes you to far away places and you get to feel like you've been there. The author did a great job of getting into the lives of the characters. One of my all times favorites.
Rating:
Summary: But what happen to you???????
Review: I read this book years ago, I have since read it several times over; I don't usually re-read novel. This one is like a favorite movie. My only problem is that she has not written another book. I love the story and her style of writing.
Rating:
Summary: Jazzy
Review: I read this novel several years ago and loved it. I truly felt for all of the characters and was sympathetic to Solomon. Hopefully, the author will put out something new soon. Until then, I'll keep checking.
Rating:
Summary: Seasons of Benito Blackbird
Review: I thought that this was an excellent book. Akosua Busia is a wonderful author. She expresses her characters very well. She gives them emotions that everybody feels, so anybody can relate with them. The seasons of Benito Blackbird was a great book, it showed that a man or women cannot have everything that they want. As much as they try to get it. She took the complictacy of this book and made it simple to understand.
| 
