Somethin' Extra : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Story That Touches the Mainstream Audience
Review: "Somethin' Extra" by first time novelist Patty Rice is another familiar yet addictive story about African American men and women. Male/female troubles, chummy sister-friends, and childhood demons seem to be the common ground that many authors seem to tread. One of the items that makes "Somethin' Extra" stand out is the academic background of the two main characters: David Lewis is a 50ish professor of English and Genie Gatlin is a 20-something caterer/secretary who works in his department. David's marital woes and Genie's romantic farces create the road on which they first meet. The author uses humorous dialogue, flashbacks, mental musings, and sophisticated descriptions to tell her story. I liked how well the author characterized David, making him a convincing married man who worries about aging and maintaining a relationship with his sons. It was also refreshing to see David admit that even though all isn't perfect in his marriage, he still has feelings for his wife. And Genie is a true character. Boy does she eat a lot (there are a ton of eating scenes in this book - don't ask me why I noticed). Genie seems strong yet vulnerable, outspoken, yet afraid. Even still she's genuine, touchable, a woman with whom many readers should be able to identify. If there were any criticisms, I would have loved to read more action, drama, or tension between the husband and wife or Genie and the wife. With extramarital affairs an issue, this novel is ripe for constant bickering and knockdown drags out. Nevertheless the story is enjoyable, funny, and includes a couple of nice surprises to keep the reader on edge. An overall, wonderful first effort.

Rating:
Summary: What does love have to do with it.
Review: I just could not get all the way to the end. I was sick and tired of the whinning. I truely did not care if they got together, stayed together or just walked away. Ms. Rice failed to make me care about the charactors. The book went on and on forever. I have tried three times to make it to the end of this book but I CAN NOT DO IT.

Rating:
Summary: SOMETHIN' EXTRA IS SOMETHING ELSE!
Review: SOMETHIN' EXTRA IS SOMETHING ELSE!

Ms. Rice has penned a blessing. Mid-life crisis, dating and falling in-love with married men, workaholism, alcoholism, child molestation and sexual abuse, parenting of middle-upper class teenage African-American males in a hip-hop culture... the list of issues goes on. However, Ms. Rice doesn't meander or lose focus. Her work is tight, enlightening, funny, sad, and altogether lovely! As one other reader suggests... "any young woman(or older) thinking of getting involved with a married man, should definitely read this novel." Ms. Rice you also have the makings of a wonderful "relationship film." Director/Screenwriter, Malcom Lee (Best Man), 40 Acres and a Mule Productions, would really do your story/novel justice on the Big Screen! Looking forward to seeing the movie!