Brothers and Sisters

Rating:
Summary: Are We Judging People By The Content of Their Character?
Review: Although this novel is set in Los Angeles, after the police officers involved in the Rodney King beating were acquitted, this story, and the challenges that the protagonist face in this novel exist in everyday corporate and private settings.

As I read this book, I truly felt like I was either a fly on the wall, or I was watching a very good movie. I laughed on the surprisingly hilarious parts, and said, "Yeah! Set 'em straight, on the areas that Esther was claiming her voice, during what could be perceived as tricky times.

Bebe Moore Campbell captures vividly captures the racial ambivalence, between blacks and whites, as well as between men and women within their own race.

I found myself highlighting excellent lines in this book, and thinking about what I would do, if I were Esther.

That is the beauty of a novel, and especially one that is written so well --- reading this, you get to live out scenarios, and adapt new ideas for your own life.

I truly hope both black and white women read this book, because there are messages for both of us; as there are for men.

Bebe Moore Campbell enhances the world through her novels.

Rating:
Summary: COMPELLING
Review: Bebe's portral of this colorful group is so real!
MONEY, POWER, SELF IMPORTANCE RISE and FALL!
Drama filled so of course you can't stop reading it.

Rating:
Summary: COMPELLING
Review: Bebe's portrayal of this colorful group is so real!
MONEY, POWER, SELF IMPORTANCE RISE and FALL!
Drama filled so of course you can't stop reading it.

Rating:
Summary: BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Review: BROTHERS AND SISTERS is an excellent book with a beautiful, thought-provoking cover. The main character, Esther, walks a fine line to maintain respect and professionism as an African American bank manager, working in a predominantly white bank. She must must make several choices between colorless friendship and Black loyalty and between haves and have nots. In her personal life, she must make the choice between white-collar and blue-collar love. BROTHERS AND SISTERS shows the deceitful routes some people will take to reach their goal, not caring who is run over. This book also looks at how little things have changed between the races and the sexes, but in contrast, it shows rarely-seen truiumph over injustice. The well-rounded cast of characters make this book realistic and believable. Bebe Moore Campbell is a very good writer.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: Campbell goes beyond the slogans and prejudices to tell the story of two women - one black, one white - trying to forge a genuine friendship in the aftermath of the L.A. riots. Their different interpretations of situations and even words are depicted with compassion and a great deal of humor as they try to find common ground. Even when they clash, we can understand where each is coming from.

As if navigating the waters of racial sensitivity weren't daunting enough, the characters are also faced with tough choices about career, dating, family, office politics and other ethical dilemmas that often seem to demand conflicting solutions. There are lots of other well-drawn characters, some with good intentions, some with bad and some caught up in a confusion of both. Who would have thought a book about people who work in a bank could be so suspenseful and rewarding?

Rating:
Summary: An interesting read
Review: I enjoyed this book for the most part, even though the main character irked me. She was a bit too snobby for my taste, and the issues of race got tiring after awhile. But overall, I really liked this book; I stayed up all night to finish it, and the ending was pretty satisfying. The book teaches one to examine what keeps people from other races from being friends. But I thought Esther took things too personally. She thought everything had to do with race. Sometimes you just have to ignore the ignorant.

Rating:
Summary: Modern Day Morality Play
Review: If this novel is any indication of Bebe Moore Campbell's talent, I think she's bound for an exciting and prolific career. Set in L.A. in the aftermath of the infamous Rodney King verdict, BROTHERS AND SISTERS introduces the reader to a banking world filled with interesting and complex characters both Black and White. Campbell has an excellent ability to traverse modern day racial complexities in a manner which is neither unrealistic nor condescending. Any Black female professional is bound to identify with the struggles and situations that Ester faces in the book: trust issues with White co-workers, dating a blue-collar man, walking the colorline, and maintaining personal dignity in a workspace where nobody looks like you. I found the novel to be enjoyable and insightful. It's perfect reading for a long plane ride.

Rating:
Summary: Very well written, a little long, but an excellent read
Review: This book was a little long and some of the issues it covered could have been left out, but overall it was very good and very well written. Bebe touches on a lot if interacial as well as intraracial issues that seem to plague Black Americans. She allows her readers the opportunity to understand why people act and feel the way that they do about specific social and racial issues. This book ranks as one of the best 90's version of Black Literature that is out. The author makes the characters believable and likeable (at least some of them). The primary reason that I like this book is because it doesn't just speak to Black audiences it speaks to White audiences as well. We are all brothers and sisters and like this books shows, until we realize that we are doomed to perish together as fools.

Rating:
Summary: She's one of the few writers who tackles racial ambivalence.
Review: This book was very interesting and keep my attention. I felt that I knew the characters in the book and I could see why the things that were happening to them happened. This book took a twist at the end and did not see it coming.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling and entertaining read
Review: This is one of the best books I have read. I've recommended it to many friends and all of them have loved it. Mrs. Campbell blends the topics of personal, social and racial relationships into an incredible work of art. Don't worry about being bored with this novel, because Brothers & Sisters will definitely keep your attention. While reading this book, it was very easy for me to imagine it being brought to the big screen. I think this would make a very enjoyable movie for everyone. I liked the way all the characters were written and how the plot had some twists & turns in it that eventually leads to a satisfying end. As with me, this book will make you a Bebe Moore Campbell fan!