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Summary: AMBITIOUS AND ENGAGING...JACKSON DID IT AGAIN!
Review: I am an avid reader, and to be perfectly honest, sometimes I have a big problem with these "borderline literature" books that African-American authors are pumping out. Sheneska BRINGS US UP A LITTLE! I believe in terms of growth as an author, Blessings was ambitious, smart, and a leap in the right direction. It never lost its pace, and moved fluidly between the characters' lives, intertwining them perfectly. I still love "caught up in the rapture" more, because for me personally, it speaks closer to my life. But "Blessings" has more universal appeal, and is frankly, better written. I loved all four of the women, even Sandy, with her trifling ways. She was the best written character.
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Summary: Not an ordinary bitchin' and complainin' novel
Review: I am white, my boyfriend is black, and I started reading a lot of modern African-American literature in the past couple of years. I think it was just a move to educate myself on his culture. Anyway, after reading probably 25-30 different books, I was actually going to switch modes and wasn't even going to pick up "Blessings", but I'm very glad that I decided to in the end. I struggle through two full time jobs and I made the time to finish this fairly long novel in a couple of days.Of course it had its share of white-girl bashing, which really doesn't bother me because on the flip side, she made friends with all of them. For some reason, this novel, which did the same thing as many others by capturing the stories of a wide variety of people, was much more energizing and..real. I actually cried at the part where Pat's baby-to-be was taken right in front of her by that hoochie TV woman. This is the first book review I've ever written because I felt just that strongly about it. Even though my boyfriend thinks I'm crazy for reading so much black literature, I think I'm gonna keep reading a few more of Sheneska's. ---Michelle/NY
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Summary: EXCELLENT reading in the BEAUTY SHOP!!!
Review: Blessings!!! Blessings!!! Blessings!!! I started to read this book while I was in the BEAUTY SHOP. I get my hair down weekly so this was the only time I had to read. I must say, reading Blessings while in a Beauty Shop makes the reading much more entertaining. There are 4 women in the shop at Blessings and there are 4 women at the shop where I get my hair done. The personality of Pat, Faye, Zuma and Sandy fit the personalities of the Stylists' at the salon. It was amazing...sad..funny all at the same time. The only bad point in the book was Sandy - and her lost. The question, "why does it take so LONG in the beauty shop?" My answer, I'm glad it does, I was able to finish the book in 3 appointments!!!!
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Summary: ANOTHER GREAT NOVEL BY SHENESKA JACKSON!!!!!
Review: I have read all of Sheneska Jackson's novels and I must admit that after reading the first chapter I put it down, I felt she spent too much time on the discussion about O.J. Simpson. I picked up the book again after 3 months and starting reading it and I am glad I did. This book was great, a definite page turner. I believe Ms. Jackson has true talent and I can't wait for her next novel.
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Summary: Blessings is a real-to-life, female bonding book.
Review: Ms. Jackson, it was a blessing for the Hart Connection, (women and a man) in Hollywood, Florida to meet on Saturday evening (3/27/99) and discuss your book. We enjoyed your fine portrayal of characters. What a great introduction, it kept us thinking and reading.(smile!!) The beauty shop scenes were familiar and gave us a wake-up call!! Pat, Zuma, Faye, Cervin and Sandy were our favorites. Pat's overall character was a true blessing, her actions were kind and giving. However, at times she lacked self-confidence, but at the end of the story she gained strength and received ber blessing- a baby girl. Mark had an outstanding unconditional love, a true "one in a million" man. Cervin did all he could do for Sandy, but she was NOT appreciative. Congrats to Cervin for being a "REAL FATHER AND MAN." Thanks for reminding us that real men still exist. Some parts of the book left us asking questions about some of the characters like tough woman Zuma, Mr. Watson and Faye. The ending of the book should have focused on all the characters. We wanted more at the end. Then again, in real life that's how we miss many of our blessings, for not accepting what we have, heard, seen and or read. This book possessed irony, realism, love, faith, and a multi-cultural female bond. The choice of words gave way for lots of chuckles!!! Thanks for helping the Hart Family to make Connections with Blessings.
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Summary: A REAL BLESSING
Review: Sheneska, you are doing it up girl! You know how to entertain your fans. Once I started reading Blessing I couldn't stop. I found myself laughing and crying all throught the book. Zuma was my favorite character because she didn't take no wooden nickels. She was for real. Sandy was trifling but she was determined to fit in. I can't wait to read the next one. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!! Must read!!!
Review: Right at the start, the question was, "why does it take so long at the beauty salon" And if you are looking for the answer, read this book. Right at the start I was laughing out loud. All the characters somehow touched my heart, even that trifling Sandy. I passed this on to 3 of my friends to read, and they were all calling to tell me where they were in the book so we could compare notes. ALL three loved it. Sheneska, you did a good job, keep up the good work!!
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Summary: SHANESKA DOES IT AGAIN!!
Review: SHANESKA YOU DID ANOTHER EXCELLENT JOB ON ANOTHER BOOK. THE PLOT WAS BASIC BUT VERY ENTERTAINING.IT TOOK A FEW CHAPTER TO GET INTO IT BUT AFTER MAYBE CHAPTER TWO OR THREE I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. I ENJOYED HATING SANDY :) UHHH YOU WANTED TO JUST GRAB HER FROM THE BOOK AND THROW HER SOMEWHERE SHE MADE US READERS VERY MAD..LOL WELL SHANESKA KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I HOPE YOU KEEP THEM COMING. IM A WRITER ALSO AND YOUR INSPIRE ME VERY MUCH SO..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK..PEACE
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Summary: You Go Sheneska!!!!!
Review: This was my first time reading any of Ms. Jackson's books. However, I was touched by each and every one of the characters...even Sandy. I am glad that Faye's daughter was trying to get it together at the end. I got lost in my thoughts and wished that Ms. Antoinette was real so that I could tell her a little something about disrespecting her mother. All I have to say about Zuma is YOU CRAZY GIRL!! I loved her courage and ability to be up front and speak her mind. I really enjoyed Pat and Faye, they both had good hearts and meant well in just about everything that they did. This book helped me to learn that Patience is key. If things are meant to be they will happen. Good things comes to those that wait!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very good reading.
Review: Blessings was very entertaining and very real, the life on any one of the main characters was a story in itself. This book covered so many of the trials of just plain living. I must admit I was a little surprised at how things turned out for Zuma, I understand her decision, and again that's life, but I was surprised. This my second novel by Ms Jackson, (Li'l Mama's Rules) but were worth the cost.
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