Rating: 
Summary: Steping Up To The Plate
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was very impressed with Jervey's writing style and how he played Lita and Helen against each other. Lita feared her mother, but she learned to stand her ground. She also handled her father very well. That relationship was very funny. Lita had some "adult" situations and decisions to deal with way before her time. Under the circumstances, she did the best she could. Family ties were very important to Lita and she learned that from her very head-strong mother. Helen fought for her family until the end like a lioness protecting her pride. Excellent discussion piece for a bookclub.
Rating: 
Summary: new orleans mystique
Review: I was interested in the book for two reasons; I have enjoyed Jervey Tervalon's previous works and I like stories about New Orleans culture. I do not think that this is Mr. Tervalon's best work as I thought some of the characters could have been developed a little more. It seems like a piece of family history where all the facts were not known & you have a million questions to ask to understand the full picture. But, because it was set in New Orleans, I rated the book higher than if the story took place someplace less. It was good airplane read.
Rating:
Summary: Moving account of 1940s Afro-Creole Life
Review: I wouldn't categorize this story as mystery although there were some elements of suspense. Mr. Tervalon paints a look in slow motion in an almost surreal manner of life as it was in 1940s New Orleans. The DuChamps are by no means the perfect family but in fact the dysfunction among them is the root of the story. Some reviewers have criticized the switch from first person to third, but this Faulkeneresque technique was most effective in recalling the past in order to comprehend what is going on in the present. The author also does not shy away from the issues affecting Creoles of Color in that era-- the ever present reality of living in two worlds, chastised on one hand for "looking white" and looked down upon for not being white. He even shows Lita getting on a Jim Crow bus, sitting in the white section, enjoying her sense of entitlement her appearance affords enabling her to "passe blanc". At the same time Lita expresses the great pride passed on to her in being proud of being black. For those who want to get a look into the life of the culture of New Orleans this is a good read along with Robert Skinner's mystery series which include "Skin Deep, Blood Red" and "Cat-Eyed Trouble".
Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, NO-TREMENDOUS!
Review: This book caught my eye while I was scanning African American Literature. I 1) love the cover (very mysterious and inviting) 2) love the title (it's dangerous). I love the characters and I really love the setting, it was described so well. I felt like I was right there, watching them from behind a tree. This is by far my favorite book right now. It kept my attention! Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: New Orleans Flava in a great book
Review: This book had all of the right elements, tragedy, lust, anger, everything that one needs for a thrilling piece of fiction. Lita DuChamp is a woman who basically lives in the shadow of her sister Adele, who is a spolied, selfish character who you really cannot like no matter how you try to see her situation. Their mother, Helen, let's their father abuse her to no end, and adores Adele, fearing Adele's choice of a lover, Lucien. Lucien is straight up "no good for nobody" as the old folk's say. There are more problems and situations in this book, told from Lita's point of view. I recommend this book for an easy afternoon read.
Rating:
Summary: NOT THAT BAD ONCE YOU GET IN TO IT
Review: THIS BOOK IS NOT THAT BAD AT ALL ONCE YOU GET INTO IT.
THE BOOK IS SET IN THE 1930'S
YOU HAVE LITA A STRONG YOUNG GIRL WHO WORKS HER
... OFF TO KEEP THE FAMILY RUNNING SMOOTH.
HER MOTHER HELEN DUCHAMP IS A STRONG OLD FASHION
LADY WITH A HEALTH PROBLEM, A DRUNK FOR A HUSBAND
AND A FAMILY SECRET, THAT COMES TO THE SURFACE WHEN
HER OLDEST DAUGHTER ADELE FALLS HEAD OVER HILLS FOR
A MAN NAME LUCIEN WHO IS A SNAKE AND HAS A PAST OF
BEATING WOMEN. NOW NOT ONLY DOES LITA HAVE TO HELP
RUN THE FAMILY BUISNESS SHE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF HER
YOUNGER SIBLINGS, WITH HER MOHTER'S HEALTH NOT GETTING
BETTER MISS ADELE TELLS HER MOTHER SHE IS IN LOVE WITH
THIS LUCIEN GUY AND SHE IS LEAVING HER HUSBAND WHO IS
IN THE NAVY AWAY AT SEA, THIS IS WHEN I THINK THE BOOK REALLY
STARTS. YOU'LL FIND OUT THE FAMILY SECRETS AND WHY HELEN
HAS A REAL HATE FOR THIS MAN HER DAUGHTER WANTS TO RUN
AWAY WITH. AND ALL THREW THIS LITA IS STILL WORKING ON KEEPING
THE FAMILY A STRONG UNIT.
Rating:
Summary: Dead Above Ground
Review: This book is outstanding it's a must read. I picked up this book and read it in two days I just could not put it down. Mr. Tervalon knows how to keep his readers on the edge of their seats. Read this book you will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Marvellous Book
Review: This book was a very fast read, and I could not put it down for anything. I read this book in a day, and I would recommend it to anyone who has never read Jervey Tervalon's books. I am definitely going to read the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Diamond in the Rough. An absolute Gem!!!!
Review: This book was awesome. It was set during the 1940's in New Orleans and took me back to that place and time barring the fact that I was born in the 1970's in Brooklyn, New York and have only visited New Orleans once. I did not want to put this novel down because it stimulated me to continue reading all throughout. It was enthralling, evoking and well put together. I highly recommend that if you are a true avid reader you will appreciate all that this great novel has to offer. Lita Du Champ was a strong young woman who fiercely believed in the ties that bind a family together. Her mother Helen made mistakes in the past and tried to protect her family from an ill fate while her oldest daughter Adele was a free spirit and lived for the moment. The men lacked compassion and were thoughtless to a great extent, but to be expected in those days and sadly still very reflective in today's society. Overall it was a splendid read. Dead Above Ground is definitely a keeper and a must read. This novel deserves a resurgence. I don't think that it received all the praise that it should have in the past!!!
Rating:
Summary: FASCINATING
Review: This is one of those books that makes you go "Hum"! I found the discussion of 1940's life in New Orleans very fascinating. However, that which made the book incredibly intriguing was the portrayal of 3 strong African American women who were all fighting the same demon but in very different ways and utilizing very different techniques. Coupled with that is a little bit of a Stephen King mentality and flair which I thought brought a certain level of mystique, fascination and drama. This novel brought back scenes from the novel "Carrie". Although there were some areas that could have used a little more exploration, all in all, I thought this was one of the most fascinating novels I have read in quite some time. Good read and worth the price of a hardcover novel.
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