What You Owe Me

Rating:
Summary: CAPTIVATING LINK BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT.
Review: Bebe Moore Campbell takes her time in weaving a story--which results in well-developed characters, vivid and intricate plots, realistic dialogue, and lyrical prose. Her previous works, written over the past decade, were all spell-binding and fast-paced. Her most recent work is no exception.

Consisting of 533 pages, WHAT YOU OWE ME is captivating from start to finish, beginning in 1948 and ending in 2001 with the narratives of long-deceased Hosanna Clarke, a budding entrepreneur whose dreams for a lucrative cosmetics venture were aborted during her lifetime, but passed on to one of her daughters. The daughter, Matriece Carter, ends up fulfilling her mother's ambitions, following an often painful, but life-strengthening journey of self-discovery.

Sandwiched between the dates surrounding Hosanna's narration, blooms a tale featuring her own exploits, as well as those of her contemporaries and descendants, revolving around complex human/racial relationships. From intense loyalty to unspeakable betrayal, the overt actions and inner feelings of ALL of the principal characters are portrayed with such depth and imagery that the reader cannot help but become intimately acquainted with them. In creating this effect, the author shows a remarkable sense of empathy and knowledge of human psychology.

This novel is a treasure and, in spite of its length, will be enjoyed repeatedly for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: A very soul-searching and inspiring book
Review: Bebe Moore Campbell's writing style is just as interesting as ever. I liked this story about a young Jewish immigrant and Holocaust survivor, Gilda, who befriends an African American, Hosanna, in Los Angeles, CA. She presents us with the beginning of a friendship which grows into a patnership in a small cosmetic buisness. Unfortunately, their friendship is abruptly ended due to some interferance by Gilda's uncle and first husband. So obviously, there are hard feelings felt by Hosanna who struggles to keep her buisness going, but runs into many road-blocks experienced by many would-be African-American buiness entrepreneurs at that time. Campbell does a spectacular job featuring the lives of Hosanna's daughters, Vonette and Matriece, along with other somewhat significant characters in the cosmetic buisness owned by Gilda. What stands out in this book, is how Campbell showed how one gets overwhelmed by grudges. One is unable to function properly, follow their own dreams, and as a result runs away from various issues in life. I liked how she tied in the issues of betrayal by fathers to their children, and how they were able to workout such sticky issues.
The book deals with people with dreams, how they fight to keep these dreams alive. In addition, it showed the simplicity of a family that is overflowing with love and great family principles (Vonette's family) as well as what happens when we live our lives in continous denial (Blair's family). I recommend this book for anyone who wants to think about soceital issues with some history, who has dreams,and would cry or just laugh at some of the characters in the book. It is a fun book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Very good book. You will enjoy it.
Review: I found this to be a very good book that ended wonderfully. Some of the other reviews said that it was too long and too detailed but I think the character development was perfect. The author followed each character to the end of the book. In my opinion, it is very well written. The book was recommended to me by a friend who said it was the best she had ever read. I wouldn't go that far, but do recommend it as a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Paid In Full
Review: I was surprised at some of the not so good reviews, but as a published author myself, I realize that the taste buds of readers vary. I, personally, was not intimidated by the size of the book. If grade school kids aren't intimidated by Harry Potter books, then I can't imagine grown folks being intimidated by this book. Size matters. The bigger the better. I love a nice long book I can spend time with. Quickies are okay sometimes.

I must admit, I enjoyed the book more in the beginning chapters when it was being told in first person by Hosanna. But when the story switched to third person and started documenting Hosanna's daughter, Matriese's, life, I thought: Wow, this is a brilliant switch up. It was as if Hosanna had passed the torch to the next generation. In being truthful with this review, I must say that Hosanna brought such a fiesty kick to the story. I was hoping Matriese would have that same fiesty attitude and I was dissapointed when she didn't. This is why I give the book four stars instead of five. A fiesty headstrong character adds spice and kick to a fiction novel. So when the story switched to third person, it did lose that kick, but it didn't lose good story telling.

I did start to wonder what the deal was when characters starting turning up here and there, but I'm patient. I knew, from the reputation of Mrs. Campbell that proceeded my reading this novel, that the story would tie together. I wasn't one bit worried. For a minute I even felt like I was watching a version of the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

This is my first time reading one of Ms. Campbell's books and this is the first time I have ever written a review on amazon.com (and for another author under a different publishing house than mine to say the least). But this was just one of those books that I felt compelled to share my thoughts on.

I once saw Mrs. Campbell speak. Well, actually I saw her twice. It was once in New Orleans at the Essence Music Festival and once in California where she spoke along side Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, J. California Cooper and an up and coming author. It was in California where I heard her read an excerpt from this title. I knew I had to have it right then and there. Because of my own writing schedule, it has taken me all the way up until now to get to this book. Besides the excerpt Mrs. Campbell read, one other thing I remember during one of her speaking engagments was that Mrs. Campbell was asked if she had ever read a book and thought to herself "I wish I had written that book myself". She responded with a book by Toni Morrison. If someone was to ask me that same question today I would respond "What You Owe Me" by Bebe Moore Campbell.

Avid readers who are not initially intimidated by the size of the novel will appreciate it more so than a virgin to the likes of true literary works who, of course, will be intimidated by size. I've come to learn that how well you enjoy a book is partly based on your attitude and preparations before indulging. I'm not saying that just because you prepare yourself a nice hot bubble bath and a chilled drink before reading a book that that is going to make the book good, but some literary works require preparation. I take reading seriously and I, like many other things in life, like to prepare myself.

If you are looking for a quick read, then this is not the book for you. If you are looking for an enjoyable read with excellent plot and crafty word structure, this is worth the investment of your time and money.

Before opening the book Mrs. Campbell owed me an excellent read. After completing it, the debt is paid in full!!!

Rating:
Summary: Paid In Full
Review: I was surprised at some of the not so good reviews, but as a published author myself, I realize that the taste buds of readers vary. I, personally, was not intimidated by the size of the book. If grade school kids aren't intimidated by Harry Potter books, then I can't imagine grown folks being intimidated by this book. Size matters. The bigger the better. I love a nice long book I can spend time with. Quickies are okay sometimes.

I must admit, I enjoyed the book more in the beginning chapters when it was being told in first person by Hosanna. But when the story switched to third person and started documenting Hosanna's daughter, Matriese's, life, I thought: Wow, this is a brilliant switch up. It was as if Hosanna had passed the torch to the next generation. In being truthful with this review, I must say that Hosanna brought such a fiesty kick to the story. I was hoping Matriese would have that same fiesty attitude and I was dissapointed when she didn't. This is why I give the book four stars instead of five. A fiesty headstrong character adds spice and kick to a fiction novel. So when the story switched to third person, it did lose that kick, but it didn't lose good story telling.

I did start to wonder what the deal was when characters starting turning up here and there, but I'm patient. I knew, from the reputation of Mrs. Campbell that proceeded my reading this novel, that the story would tie together. I wasn't one bit worried. For a minute I even felt like I was watching a version of the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

This is my first time reading one of Ms. Campbell's books and this is the first time I have ever written a review on amazon.com (and for another author under a different publishing house than mine to say the least). But this was just one of those books that I felt compelled to share my thoughts on.

I once saw Mrs. Campbell speak. Well, actually I saw her twice. It was once in New Orleans at the Essence Music Festival and once in California where she spoke along side Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, J. California Cooper and an up and coming author. It was in California where I heard her read an excerpt from this title. I knew I had to have it right then and there. Because of my own writing schedule, it has taken me all the way up until now to get to this book. Besides the excerpt Mrs. Campbell read, one other thing I remember during one of her speaking engagments was that Mrs. Campbell was asked if she had ever read a book and thought to herself "I wish I had written that book myself". She responded with a book by Toni Morrison. If someone was to ask me that same question today I would respond "What You Owe Me" by Bebe Moore Campbell.

Avid readers who are not initially intimidated by the size of the novel will appreciate it more so than a virgin to the likes of true literary works who, of course, will be intimidated by size. I've come to learn that how well you enjoy a book is partly based on your attitude and preparations before indulging. I'm not saying that just because you prepare yourself a nice hot bubble bath and a chilled drink before reading a book that that is going to make the book good, but some literary works require preparation. I take reading seriously and I, like many other things in life, like to prepare myself.

If you are looking for a quick read, then this is not the book for you. If you are looking for an enjoyable read with excellent plot and crafty word structure, this is worth the investment of your time and money.

Before opening the book Mrs. Campbell owed me an excellent read. After completing it, the debt is paid in full!!!

Rating:
Summary: Corporate Revenge
Review: Los Angeles in 1948 marks a crossroads for both Hosanna Clark and Gilda Rosenstein. Both are running from violent pasts. Hosanna from the vicious mob that raped her sister and stole her family's farm and Gilda from the death camps of Nazi Germany. Tapping their resilient inner strength, the two women manage to start a small cosmetics company catering to women of color. But their success doesn't last long because one day Gilda simply disappears taking all of the small company's assets with her.

Gilda's defection plants a bitter seed of retribution inside Hosanna that lives even beyond the grave and continues to grow inside her youngest daughter, Matriece. Gilda has resurfaced many years later and heads one of the most successful cosmetics companies in the world. Now it's time for Matriece to collect her dead mother's due.

Bebe Moore Campbell skillfully revisits a period when black people were migrating to Los Angeles with little more than dreams. It is a story that spans fifty years and all the poignant drama of three dynamic women, their friends, children and lovers. It is tantalizing, edgy, and sexy at times; sure to keep you turning the pages to discover who comes out on top in this corporate drama.


Rating:
Summary: Awesome, well-written, and worth it to the very end!
Review: My book club selected this book as our June '03 selection and I was dreading the 500+ pages. I finished the book in 2 1/2 weeks and it was worth it. It's been awhile since I've read Bebe Moore Campbell, but I forgot how well she writes. There's a lot in the book (love, reparations, friendship, relationships, forgiveness, and addictions). Her writing style is awesome. Bebe takes her time with this novel and, rightfully so, the characters are well-developed. She bridges the generation gap that is throughout the story, making the ending powerful. I just thoroughly enjoyed this book. There's a lot of fiction being published these days targeted at African-Americans and some of the novels are written without much thought or substance. Bebe Moore Campbell continues to deliver well-written novels, great characters, and a great story.

Rating:
Summary: Long, but Pleasurable
Review: This book may have been long, but i still enjoyed every bit of it. There were several characters other than the main character Matriece, and the late mother who is the opening narrator, Hosanna. Each and every character is well-developed. The author does a good job of making sure that the reader understands the viewpoints of each character. It was simply amazing. Trust me, each character contributes significantly to the whole of the story.
Hosanna is the mother of Matriece and Vonette, who are as different as night and day. However, Hosanna is now deceased, but still watches over her daughters, especially Matriece, who has the power to seek the revenge she never lived to pursue. Will Matriece fulfill her late mother's wishes in the end? You should definintely read this story to find out. This is a nice long read that entertains at best. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Good Books For Everybody
Review: This was a great book, it was just a great book

Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: What You Owe Me opens p with Hosanna Clark, Gilda Rosenstein. Gilda opens the door to somthing special for both of them With Gilda's knowledge of cosmetics and Hosanna's energy they start of producing lotion for black women. Gilda and hossana become partners, they become friends as well.

As time goes by they are doing well but Gilda somehow disappear and take all the assetes that they made. Hossannafeels betrayed and finacially ruined. Hosanna's tries to persue her dream alone but we all know that back in the 1940's no AA could not start there own business and succed, years latershe pass away and her small business dies with her.

Hosanna leaves behind two daughter Vonetta and Matrice. Matriece is smart and determined as her mother Matriece starts recognize that white firms are competeing not only for black concumers but also for black professional talent.

Matriece decides to take a mission to collect her mother debt.

Bebe Moore Campbell takes us on a trip down the road in the 1940's this was and excellent book this story as many characters but all storied have a closure it was just a excellent read . if you have not picked up a cop of What You Owe Me. what are you waiting for?

Peace Love and Blessings goes out to Bebe Moore Campbell