The Good Negress

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking and Poignant!
Review: The Good Negress was a thought provoking and poignant novel from first-time novelist AJ Verdell. It's a coming-of-age story regarding young Denise Palmer who's uprooted from the grandmother who raised her to go and live with her mom and stepfather in Detroit, MI. Denise has lived in the South with her grandmother for most of her childhood, but when she is 12 years old...old enough to baby-sit, clean house and cook dinner her mother demands that she moves to Detroit to live with her, her stepfather and her other siblings. Life in Detroit isn't easy for Denise as her mother is overbearing and never seems to let up. In spite of it all, Denise manages to do well in school and is able to attend college on a scholarship. The Good Negress is a story that makes you think and deal with a gamut of emotions. It was a very good read and I think it could have been a stellar read if the transition between past and present and South vs. North geography were more smooth and fluid. The Good Negress is a sad and disturbing story at times but in the end determination, independence and wisdom conquer the day. A great read for a bookclub discussion.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This book made no sense. One gets the idea, but then it is lost over and over with the way the author bounced from the time periods then back again so much so that one is pertually confused. The ending, well it is no ending, just another beginning that never got concluded as many other beginnings through the entire book. If this is the style and calibar of the authors writing, I will not be reading anymore books by her.

Rating:
Summary: Coming of age story
Review: This is the coming of age story of Denise Palms. Denise has to move back in with her mom,stepfather, and brothers to help with her mother's incoming baby. Denise had been staying with her grandmother in Virginia, Denise mother had left here there when she was five, which hurt Denise a lot. Denise has to get used to the city life of Detroit, and also having to stay after the school so the teacher can teacher her better grammer, instead of her country talking. The story is a good read the young girls can relate too. The storyline is hard to follow at times.