Rating: 
Summary: First-rate Fiction
Review: This is what a novel is supposed to be: Funny, enjoyable, honest, enlightening, and so much more.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful reading, kind of a choppy ending.
Review: I truly enjoyed this book. I read it while exercising and it completely absorbed me enough to make me want to get back on the treadmill every day. I laughed, I cried, it's true!! The style is intriguing and comfortable. I was thoroughly in love with Eva and Joyce and Eddie (especially Eddie), and, of course, Imani. Even if the romance was kind of predictable, it was written with such passion and honesty that I loved every minute of it. The cast of characters was rounded off with some great villians. I hated to see it end, and I hated the way it did end. I wanted the author to carry me through the rest of these people's lives. What happened to them? She needed to finish the story or give us some more. I really hated to leave them.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of time and money.
Review: Thankfully this wasn't the first book I read from club Oprah club. I realize this is Ms. Cleage's first novel, but I would suggest she stick with playwriting. No doubt, she has lots of literary talent, but she didn't do herself any favors with this book. First, we are to feel sorry for Ava because she got AIDS. She deserved it, after all she would go into a room and be proud, I sleep with every man here. Second, a black paradise that she left is no long their, it looked like every one under 19 had a kid with no father around. Sound like a show for Ricki Lake. Seemed like only two teenage boys (Frank & Tyrone) were around to be fathers. The when the idealistic heroines (Joyce, Eddie, Ava) suggested possibly hurting or killing the two troubled teenage boys (Frank & Tyrone), I was appalled. Even though their intent was not made specifically clear, my take on it was that they were tentatively planning to murder those boys! If this should even be fictionally stated that this is how the black community deal with their own, let's just pray that a white supremist not get hold of this book!! Considering violence against children (even fictionally) is scary. When it comes to this book, Why waste time reading this drowning book, that would sink the Titanic?
Rating:
Summary: You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll rejoice!
Review: What looks like crazy, really is crazy, because it really is love... anyday, anytime, anywhere. Love is the world's most precious natural resource, yet it has almost becomes extinct in the face of crime, drugs, and AIDS. Pearl Cleage moves us from Atlanta to the small town of Idlewild, (known for its idle men and wild women). She unfolds its big problems within one summer. In the midst of the madness, there is love in the hearts of the people whose hearts are in Idlewild. They remember why they stayed or returned home... because it is truly where the heart is. You'll love this book!
Rating:
Summary: ! ! ! !
Review: Wow!. . . What a literary treat! The characters are so real the story couldn't possibly be fiction. I've always joked about not knowing if a book is fiction or non-fiction until I've read it and Cleage has proven my point. A well written and thoroughly told story of a life experience that actually helps to sustain us all. Courageous and daring, bold and beautiful, powerful and humbling, angry and violent, passionate and loving. Enough emotion to appear overwhelming and crazy. . . . but just an ordinary day in the life for some of us.
Rating:
Summary: FACT OR FICTION?!?!?!!
Review: Pearl should give Ms Morrison a few pointers on how to keep a readers interest. This was one good book. The ending was a bit rushed but she may have done it on purpose so that a follow-up story can be done. Write more Pearl, write more.........
Rating:
Summary: This book was riveting and true to life!
Review: For the first time in a long time I was priviledged to read a book that had it going on on all counts. Cleage had great character development and dialogue. I agree with another reviewer: this novel read more like real life than fiction. The character Ava has the same sense of humor I do and she was hilarious. I have told people that this book has a whodunit, murder mystery, eroticism and romance,, social commentary, cultural enlightenment and spiritualism. This was a real page turner. Congratulations to Cleage! I can't wait to see her next work.
Rating:
Summary: A touching story that asks the reader, "What would you do?"
Review: I have to admit, the only reason I bought this book was because I saw it as one of Oprah's books to read. How glad I am that I read it!!! I rarely find books that truely touch my heart strings but this was definitely one of them. Where has Ms. Cleage been hiding? Keep giving us more!!!!!!!!! A new found fan!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Endearing characters who mix flaws with goodness
Review: It is a beautifully written story. I found the dialogue to be riveting, and despite the rather grim underpinnings of the character's lives, I was uplifted by their "warts" mixed with true "goodness of soul." Claege excels in character development in this book. I eagerly await the author's next book.
Rating:
Summary: There is light at the end of the tunnel....
Review: After reading this wonderful, moving book, I was amazed that author Pearl Cleage was able to write so optimistically about such tragic topics: AIDS, teenage pregnancy, drug addiction & crime, society's apathy towards the "wasting" of America's youth. These problems have been faced by people living in "big cities" for years, but now they are spreading to smaller "hometowns" across America. Ms. Cleage's book "What looks like CRAZY..." chronicles the story of two sisters: Ava, who couldn't get away from her hometown fast enough - seeking the fast life in Atlanta, and Joyce, who chose to remain in her sleepy little hometown of Idlewild in Northern Michigan - trying her hardest to make a difference against increasing odds. The reality of life in the fast-lane soon catches up with Ava, and she heads back to her sister and her hometown to heal her spirits and make some major decisions about the rest of her life. However, upon arrival back home in Idlewild, Ava soon realizes that it is no longer a sleepy town. Many of the problems associated with urban living have found their way home to Idlewild. How Joyce helps resolve some of Idlewild's problems, and how Ava resolves her own problems, makes for a warm, often funny, poignant story. I've found that so many of the books on Oprah's reading list are depressing and dark - yes they do deal with "real-life" and people overcoming terrible obstacles - but you come away from reading the books feeling like someone just punched you in the stomach. Ms. Cleage's refreshing book is a story of LIFE & OPTIMISM: "what looks like CRAZY on an ordinary day looks a lot like LOVE if you catch it in the moonlight." How true that is. This book is a MUST read for everyone!
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