What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day

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Summary: A heartwarming unique love story.
Review: I would like to commend Pearl Cleage for a job well done!! I found the book heartwarming and unique. Pearl does an excellent job at developing the characters. After I read the book I found myself still thinking about Ava and Eddie in their new lives! I felt as if I personally new them. What a touching love story! Two thumbs up!!

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Summary: A woman in her 30's/40's still meaningfully searching.`
Review: I couldn't put this book down because... I loved Ava Johnson. She was so honest. I liked how HIV and AIDS was part of her life but the book wasn't about how she was internally dealing with the disease. It was barely even about HIV and its affects on those she loved, except for Eddie. I thought Ava and Eddie's love was so great. I pretended like they were friends and I enjoyed hearing what they did for the day and what their plans were. I also enjoyed the story and relationship between Ava and her sister because I love my own sister that much, but I found the love affair the most endearing. I also found myself loathing Jerri, the reverends wife. I am glad Ava didn't go on to San Francisco, because she really did belong back in her hometown. Ms. Cleage is an excellent writer, I impatiently wait for another novel from her. I am also now addicted to peppermint tea.

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Summary: Excellent expression of real-life issues!
Review: If I could give this book TEN stars, I would! I was very shocked to read such ludicrous reviews for such an award-deserving novel. Unlike the reviewer from Helena, Montana that mentioned her problem may be that she is "not black, fat or abused," I will focus more on the novel than categorizing Oprah. This thought-provoking novel has become my all-time favorite. The issues addressed are real and the manner in which the characters delt with these issues is intriguing. Mind you, everyone with HIV does not think of it as death, but life - starting a new life. I am fortunate that I have not encountered this life-threatening virus, but I could relate to the feelings and emotions of Ada - especially as a young, African-American female in such a cruel and discriminatory world. I was pleased to see Pearl Cleage provide love for Ada from Eddie - the guy that went from "devil to saint" as a reader from Seattle put it. Eddie was not a devil. His thought processes and actions deviated from that of the "norm," so that makes him "a devil?" I won't go there! Anyway, the love they felt for each other and the support that they both offered as Joyce sought to keep the addict's unwanted baby from her money-hungry and abusive relatives further strengthens the importance of family unity among African-Americans. Continue the good work Pearl Cleage. Continue supporting and promoting such good works Oprah Winfrey. And may God bless you all.

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Summary: Inspired (in more ways than one)
Review: Loved it! I finished the book the day after I recieved it in the mail, partly because it was fairly short, but mainly because I couldn't put it down. It reveals so much about the human spirit. For good or for bad. As a Christian, I was impressed with how well Cleage dealt with religion. I'm tempted to say the book is divinly inspired, but I know that's pushing it. At times the characters can seem hard to believe (Eddie's radical change, Pastor's deviant behavior) but then I realized how much they remind me of the guy or girl down the street, and then I thought some more and I realized they also reminded me of the guy in the mirror. Very well done book. You can't read it without being forced to some self-inspection.

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Summary: This book was like a vacation: short but worth the trip!
Review: This was the first book that I read where I wanted a highlighter! Pearl's writing was fantastic: both catchy and original. She made Idlewood as well as the residents of this small town more interesting than any big city! She also made living with HIV more real for those unfamiliar with it's effects. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading comprehensive socio-political fast-paced stories told well!

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Summary: Real-"It Could Probably happen to me" Stuff. You Go Pearl!
Review: Pearle Cleage wrote this for the love that is needed in this day and age. Putting it in true context that black men want to, and do love black women. Family is important and it needs to be celebrated. Thank you so much Pearl for this novel giving a rounded look at the lives of black america. Not a one sided blindfolded look.

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Summary: I think this book should get more then 5 stars.
Review: This book should get six (6) stars!! If I had three thumbs, I would give it three thumbs up!! It is easy to read, held my interest, and had all of the ingredients for a great novel. It has treachery, deceit, love, caring, excitement, etc. It also deals with timely issues like HIV. It includes information about the disease that is not common knowledge. It shows you can have a life and also have an HIV positive diagnosis, stress that the type of behavior, which puts you in contact to catch it, is to be avoided at all costs. In other word's practice safe sex. It also shows positive ways to deal with the social issue of teen pregnancy. I recommend anyone who wants a good book to buy it, it is a necessary addition to any personal library. I could not put it down!!! I look forward to Ms. Cleag's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I kept reading this book hoping something about would redeem it, but except for the snappy language, it had nothing to recommend it. Ada could have been sympathetic, but she was so blase about being HIV positive that it worked against her. And Eddie, my goodness, who can really believe him as a character? From devil to saint? Really, I don't believe it. Sorry, but I really felt let down by this book.

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Summary: Not a bad book, but....
Review: I wasn't impressed with this book at all. I read the book after reading positive reviews here, but I was pretty disappointed. I don't know, maybe I was looking a little more depth to the story. I finished the book and was left wondering "That's it?" The story is about a woman w/HIV, so I thought it'd be an "issue book w/a msg", but the storyline was very simple. Not boring or bad, just simple.

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Summary: Another depressing Oprah pick
Review: Because I like Oprah, I keep trying her "picks," and, invariably (so far, hope springs eternal) I end up feeling I've been had by hype. The characters in this book seem disengaged from their own problems. It's as if the author threw in a "readimix" of contemporary issues to get our attention, then copped out on developing the characters' relationships with those issues. The book's too short; the author doesn't finish telling her story. (What happened to the good old days of long, luxuriant reads?) Maybe my problem is I'm not black, fat, or abused. But, surely Oprah must realize not EVERYONE in her audience IS.