Far from the Tree

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: Another great novel from DeBerry and Grant. Those of us who read Trying to Sleep... were eagerly awaiting a fabulous sophomore effort and we got it! Far From the Tree is filled with emotion, believeable characters and an eventful plot. The characters' mother/daughter relationships have their challenges, especially when personal and family secrets are kept. Luckily, when they are revealed, burdens are lifted and people can be themselves or find out who they really are. If you're looking for shallow drama, this is NOT the book for you. This is a tale you can really sink your teeth (and reading time) into. Can't wait for the next book from this dynamic duo.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read!
Review: Far From the Tree turns out to be an excellent title for this book. The old addage 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree' fits this family of women perfectly. Mother and both daughters all have secrets that have been hidden for years.

Della, strong African American mother believes in living in the here and now and gives no hint of her past. She believes in leaving well enough alone. But Della has a tale to tell and web to unweave.

Celeste, Della's oldest daughter, is strong willed and believes she knows what is best for everyone...except when it comes to her marriage...her daughter...and herself...her web is so tangled she seeks desparatly for that one loose knot.

Finally there is Ronnie, Della's baby girl. Ronnie is a aspiring actress in New York seeking that big break, 'cept the only break she knows is broke.

Destiny brings them together as their southern ancestrial house calls them home where all the secrets are shared one by one to bring a distant family closer.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reading!
Review: I enjoyed this book so much! The relationship between mother and daughters reminds me of my own personal interactions with my own daughters at times! It all seemed so real.
The sisters behaved just like some sisters do.....the way everything was eventually brought out in the open and the mother's coming to terms with her past was beautifully written.
This is a Great read! I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: BRAVO! BRAVO!
Review: If I could give this book a 10 I would. This to me was better than 'Tryin to Sleep...'. I totally enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Della had a life before her daughters came into the world and she definitely wasn't finished living by any means. Ronnie and Celeste thought they had seen it all until they came to Prosper, NC. This book was like 'Soul Food' with better twists and turns and more drama. I cried and cheered at the end that the family came together. It is amazing what communication between family members can do and what harm secrets can create. I hope that every mother and daughter can read this book and get something from it. I too am beginning to realize that my mother and grandmother were women on their own at one time and it is nice thing to know my mother as a woman and not just "Mommy". So, if you are looking for a soul searching book, I highly recommend Far From the Tree. As Virginia and Donna say, we never really fall that Far From the Tree. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: TO FORGIVE IS TO HEAL AND LOVE.
Review: Proud African American mother Della (Odella) Womack Frazier, had so much hurt and and pain along with secrets from her childhood that she passed it on to her chlidren Celeste and Veronica (Ronnie). When the glue of the family the husband and father Will dies these three ladies have to deal with the past, the present and the future in order to survive. The healing process starts with a trip to Prosper,NC a place Della never wants to see again. However, when her baby Ronnie takes ill in Prosper, Dell has to bite the nail, follow her heart as a mother to go and see about her baby.(WHAT MOTHER WOULD NOT?) As mother and daughters share secrets, learn to trust, and love each other they heal. As a results of the soul searching and cleansing with each other they are all on the road to a better life. Wonderful story,I wished for my mother,and was grateful for the relationships I have with my sisters and sister-in-laws.

Rating:
Summary: Reflections
Review: Why do we choose to keep the truth from the ones we love? When you keep secrets from family members, those secrets will eventually turn up when you least expect it. "Far From the Tree" by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant takes you on a soul-searching journey of one family who's forced to come to turns in facing their family secrets and relationships.

The storyline revolves around Odella, and her daughters, Celeste and Ronnie. The book takes you on an individual tour of each person's life, different personalities, and the way they view life itself after they have buried their father. Odella has secrets that she wants to stay hidden which involves her past and upbringing. Celeste is the controlling daughter who knows what is best for her mother, sister, and her family, only her way is not always accepted. Ronnie is a wannabe actress trying to reach that one big break only to find brick walls at every turn.

When they are brought together in North Carolina because of land owned by the family, they soon realize another chapter in their lives is about to be written. Harsh realities are soon revealed and they must now face their secrets and each other to begin the healing process.

I applaud Ms. Deberry and Ms. Grant on a very well thought out storyline and strong character development that allows you to relate to each person's reality on living and surviving. Towards the end, reading each page was heart warming and they grabbed you and made you realize how important family is, and further emphasized that patience, support, and trust are the ingredients in establishing a strong family unit.

Far from the Tree is a unique book, which is presented with great taste and a detailed precision from the beginning to the end. This is a book that will not disappoint you, but leave you with much food for thought and a better understanding on building family trust and relationships.

Reviewed by Kalaani
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers