Rating: 
Summary: A BIT DISAPPOINTED
Review: At first when I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. Originally I had plan of rating it a five,until I got to the last chapter. Too many questions went unanswered. Why didn't Stella confess to David about her true Identity? How did Stella manage to convince David that she was white, after her neice sofia admitted to him that her aunt was actually colored, trying to past for white. Also, I'd like to know was she aware that her Son married her niece? And What happen to Mignon's father? He gets an emergency phone call that his wife and daughter are involved in a serious car accident. What happen after that. There was no mention of him after that. Next thing she meet this man on a cruise,and Mignon didn't know that man she met years in Paris was actually her biological father. How can you deny your daughter such great inheritance. I think the situation with her and Pierre was just a total misunderstand. After a while, things was not making sense. Like I said, I was really enjoying this book until I got to the end. Although I was disappointed on how this book ended, I won't give up on the author. After all, that was her first, and I think she made a great effort. I just hope that she finds a better editor next time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent History Lesson
Review: Excellent book,it gave a vast amount of information on what the city of Houston could have been like back in Jim Crow times. Carrie, Mignon's grandmother story was the best story in the book. This book was about one woman's struggle to get the future from the family's past.Logan,Carrie's Husband was no good.This book was filled with drama and tension.I haven't read a book this good in a long time. The author has some excellent writing,I like her more
than Terry McMillan. To think that she is a first time writer, Nea is definitely an author to look out for in the future.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautifully Written Family Saga
Review: First of all, 5 stars is the highest rating allowed. If I had my druthers, I would give it a 10. This book is a beautifully written testimony to the strength of family and the resiliency of the human spirit. I cannot believe I almost left this book on the shelf. Do not hesitate--go get this book NOW! Nea Simone's first novel is absolutely breathtaking! It is hard to imagine that this is the author's first work--her writing is flawless and lyrical. Reaching Back reads like a new day "Roots." The characters are vibrant and alive. The flow of the story is so amazing. The way the lives of the characters are intertwined is sensational without being unrealistic. The theme of "passing" for white is explored beautifully as well as the ramifications of living lies. This novel highlights that past indiscrections and secrets will always be exposed. And Simone does this without being preachy or condescending I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in a good read and getting a glimpse into the African-American experience in history. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Fine piece of work
Review: I enjoyed this story immensely. With a journal in hand, she writes so beautifully, tracing a family that holds secrets and pain. That "color" thing that has been a thread for as long as black people set foot in this country is well woven in this fine, fine story. Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Fine piece of work
Review: I enjoyed this story immensely. With a journal in hand, she writes so beautifully, tracing a family that holds secrets and pain. That "color" thing that has been a thread for as long as black people set foot in this country is well woven in this fine, fine story. Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: I literally couldn't put this one down. Reaching Back is beautifully written. As a woman of non African American descent I was intrigued by the characters and fascinated at their challenges. But as I continued to read I realized that the story of these women did not encompass race, they were strong women who faced obstacles and overcame them. Bravo to Ms. Simone, I hated for the story to end and I can't wait for her next book. I think this book should be a movie, I laughed, I cried and mourned. A truly great work!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I've read in a while
Review: I really loved this book I read it in about 2 dayz. I like the fact that shes writing a sequel to the book. I would love to read more about Mignon and her family. It was really sad how All of there marragies went bad just because they chose the color of someones skin. The one thing about this book that got to me was that none of them knew there history or there background so they all where just mixed up with each other and it there was incest throughout the whole book because no one knew who they where marrying. But I really loved this book it was definatly an page turn although it kind of got slow when the Author started talking about Mignon Childhood. Oh yea I also thought she should have wrote a epilougr but since shes writing a sequel I think that should be could. She should type up all of the loose ends. like what ever happened to Logan after Ruth killed herself and whos taking care of Sofias baby Angel? David perhaps?!?!? And is Mignon ever going to meet her real father seeing as to how shes the soul heir to his fortune since she's the first born and all. but yea everyone buy this book because it was a very good read and if you want to learn more about how the black people back in the day segregated each other by the color of there skin then this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable........
Review: I was at a book signing for another author. I was outside the store giving out book marks and asking passer-bys to check out the author. I had already bought 3 books, but as I was standing outside I kept noticing the book, staring at me from the window...Well before I left that day, I picked up the book.
I was not disappointed. The story is very good saga about families and their interaction with one another as well a glimpse into a time where skin color really mattered. Or better yet, does it still matter today?
Rating:
Summary: Can't Run From Your Past
Review: In Reaching Back, debut novelist Nea Anna Simone introduces us to Mignon Samuels. Samuels finally gets the courage to escape her marriage to her 'not so prince charming' husband, and enlists the aid of her stepfather Richard Warner to help her. Thinking that it is finally time to explain to Mignon of her life, Richard hands her a leather journal. "Your mother has asked me to give this to you, " he tells her. "She thought now was a good a time as any to read up on your family history." As Mignon settles back and flips through the pages of the journal, she is taken back through history of her great-great grandparents, The Devereauxs of a small Louisiana town named for the largest plantation and landowners, cousins Robert and William. Every time a child is conceived by one of the Devereaux clan, there is great fear the child will 'reach back' into their slave ancestry and tell their heavily guarded secret. Even the children too dark to pass for White, marry someone with light skin in hopes of being accepted by society. They too will learn that everything what might look good to you is not good for you. How many lives will be ruined by this family's web of lies and deceit? Simone weaves a horrid tale of slavery, rape, incest, family betrayal and much drama. Reaching Back was a very enjoyable novel. The plot, twists and turns will have you reaching and turning the pages to find out what lies ahead for the characters. I highly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading what else Ms. Simone has in store for us.
Rating:
Summary: Inspired
Review: In Reaching Back, debut novelist Nea Anna Simone introduces us to Mignon Samuels. Samuels finally gets the courage to escape her marriage to her `not so prince charming' husband, and enlists the aid of her stepfather Richard Warner to help her. Thinking that it is finally time to explain to Mignon of her life, Richard hands her a leather journal. "Your mother has asked me to give this to you, " he tells her. "She thought now was a good a time as any to read up on your family history." As Mignon settles back and flips through the pages of the journal, she is taken back through history of her great-great grandparents, The Devereauxs of a small Louisiana town named for the largest plantation and landowners, cousins Robert and William. Every time a child is conceived by one of the Devereaux clan, there is great fear the child will `reach back' into their slave ancestry and tell their heavily guarded secret. Even the children too dark to pass for White, marry someone with light skin in hopes of being accepted by society. They too will learn that everything what might look good to you is not good for you. How many lives will be ruined by this family's web of lies and deceit? Simone weaves a horrid tale of slavery, rape, incest, family betrayal and much drama. Reaching Back was a very enjoyable novel. The plot, twists and turns will have you reaching and turning the pages to find out what lies ahead for the characters. I highly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading what else Ms. Simone has in store for us.
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