Better Than I Know Myself

Rating:
Summary: strong character study inside a fine buddy tale
Review: In the Brooklyn projects "prisoner" Carmen struggles to survive the mean streets. Her father is dead, her mother vanished, and her older brother has "raised" her by abusing her. Hew ticket out of the slums is Columbia University, but that means two jobs and non-stop studying.

In Franklin, New Jersey, upper middle class Regina lives the African-American equivalent to the Cleaver household though she is no Beaver. Her parents "Ward and June" have set life goals for her that so restrict her she is ready to revolt.

In Baldwin hills, California, teenage star Jewel cannot hide from the fact that she is recognizable as a star on the TV show "Daddy's Girl. However, Jewel has made some decisions about the direction of her life. She plans to go to school to obtain a real education and to achieve that she needs to escape from her stage mother.

In 1981, these three teens from totally different social classes meet in Morningside Heights and forge a friendship that survive drugs, secrets, illness, betrayal, and death. For each ahs found solace in the other two.

This sisterhood tale is a fine comparative look at three strong protagonists who form a friendship that helps each of them achieve a modicum of happenings in spite of setbacks. Each of the trio is a unique fully developed person so that readers understand what drives them. Fans of a strong character study inside a buddy tale will enjoy the apropos titled BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF for these pals surely do.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: I laughed, I cried, I reminisced
Review: It was an absolute page turner. The characters reminded me of firends that have been with me since the day of time. The tears, arguments, relationships, everything. I highly recommend this book, and after reading, loan to a good friend.

Rating:
Summary: That¿s What Friends Are For
Review: Jewell is a former child actor who attends college partly in an effort to prove to herself and the world that she is more than a cute actress. Her father left the family when she was just a little girl and has been missing in action every since. And her mother, Vivian, is a handful; she has been the architect behind Jewell's acting career but their mother-daughter relationship is strained at best. In addition, Vivian knows all about Jewell's deepest, darkest secret.

Walk into Regina's family home and it might seem like you stepped onto the set of the Cosby Show. Regina's parents were college sweethearts and now have the perfect marriage. Each of her older brothers have been successful academically and professionally. Regina, the youngest and only girl, feels a tremendous pressure to follow in the huge footsteps of her family members, yet she resents the Santa Sweaters and family traditions that make her family what it is. She can't wait to get to college to get away from her family.

There have never been any free rides for Carmen. Her father was killed in a botched up robbery. After his death, her mother's behavior became increasingly bizarre until she eventually abandons her children, leaving Carmen and her older brother to fend for themselves. Carmen's biggest goal is to get away from the madness of her life, and eventually become a doctor. When she earns a scholarship to college she is finally on her way.

These three women couldn't be anymore different, yet fate brings them together and a lifelong friendship emerges. Over the years they help one another through the really bad times and are there to support one another through the good times. Though at times they hurt each other, their friendship was unconditional. Through the course of the book the threesome experience love, loss, illness, triumphs and failures but through it all a friendship endures.

BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF is a tribute to sisterfriends. The story started slowly for me and I found myself putting the book down several times. I am so glad that I stuck with it because those slow moments in the beginning helped set up the rest of the story. This is a character driven story and as readers, we are privy to the growth and change that Jewell, Regina and Carmen experience. I knew their secrets, I saw their mistakes, and I truly felt for them. Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have created a cast of characters that will make you laugh, cry, and at times, wish you could reach through the pages and strangle.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Excellent as usual
Review: Once again these two have a well written, thoughtful, entertaining, thought provoking, beautiful novel. I enjoyed it from the first page and could not put it down.


Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful Tear-jerker
Review: These co-authors (Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant) of TRYIN' TO SLEEP IN THE BED YOU MADE have created another fine work of fiction in their latest effort BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF. Even though the novel is actually a "coming-of-age" story centering on the lives of three young women who meet during their matriculation at Barnard College, the element of suspense is provided by the tone set at the novel's beginning. Frequently augmented by revealing flashbacks, the story opens with a cemetery scene, during which two of the friends gather to commemorate the passing of their third comrade. As a result of this early exposition, the reader becomes embroiled in a guessing game as the novel unfolds, concerning which one of the three friends will meet an untimely end. The suspense becomes even more agonizing as each character is increasingly developed, making it more and more difficult for the reader to part with any of them, and rendering the conclusion all the more heart-wrenching.

Complete with an engaging plot, sprinkled with insightful sub-plots, well-defined characters, and believable dialogue, BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF is an inspiring glimpse into the interlocking experiences of three women from disparate backgrounds, who discover an unexpected unity and a lasting friendship that could be interrupted only by death.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story about friendship
Review: This was a wonderful book that followed the friendship of three women. You really get to grow with them and love them. Their friendship inspires you to be a better friend and to tell your friends how much you love them. I recommend this book to anyone!