Friday Nights at Honeybee's

Rating:
Summary: Life Is All About Choices
Review: Andrea Smith transports the reader into the lives of the women & men of the early 1960's. As most of us know, this was a time of change in our country. Not just with civil unrest, but also women liberation and new & wonderful music styles. Ms. Smith weaves a little of this history into the story of two women
trying to find peace.

First, we have Viola. Viola does not truly live life as much as doing what is expected. Viola attempts to venture out and learns a valuable lesson. However, the choice she makes as a result of her experiences have far-reaching consequences that significantly change her life. The reader has to decide if it was
for the better.

Next, we are allowed the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Forestine. Forestine has the voice of an angel which does not exactly match her physical appearance. Forestine has to deal with an overbearing, bitter mother and a beautiful older sister.
Nevertheless, through the love of her father & music,Forestine finds a means of "escape" from the day to day challenges of walking the earth as Forestine Bent.

Viola and Forestine meet up at Honeybee's. Honeybee is the voice of wisdom and love at a time when Viola & Forestine are at their lowest or at a time of change, depends on how you look at it.

I enjoyed reading this book. But, I believe that Ms. Smith could have allowed us to see more into the characters' thoughts. There were also a few supporting characters that held a lot of untapped

potential. Ms. Smith could definitely write a sequel to Friday Nights. I believe the characters still have a lot to teach us.

Leanna Bailey
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Chasing a Dream
Review: Forestine and Viola are two women with very different lives but similar dreams. Forestine grows up in Brooklyn, in a home she feels less than welcome in, with a dream to one day become a singer. As Forestine grows older, her dream to become a singer is her only true passion, quite often at high costs. Viola is raised in the country, the daughter of a preacher and his "proper" wife, she is less sure of what she wants out of life but knows she will have a hard time finding it in the small constrictive town in which she was raised. Miss Honeybee was from the same small town, Jasperville, North Carolina that Viola is from but made her escape to New York City where she built a life for herself that the people in Jasperville talk about in hushed voices. Honeybee's "gathers" have become notorious as a time where there is good food and good music come together, almost any musician of any merit has passed through Honeybee's home at some point to take part in a "gather". Through Honeybee both women overcome heartbreak, find healing and ultimately discover themselves.

This tremendous story will take you back to a time where jazz was in full swing, and carry you through to a time when the music form became overshadowed by its more contemporary counterparts. While you are immersed in a world of music, you are also drawn into the lives of the characters as they experience, heartbreak, love, sadness and happiness. Andrea Smith's eloquent writing, gives the story just the right literary flair to keep you engrossed in the world of gathers and gigs, taking you back to another time. Emotions run high in the story and as you become more drawn into the story; you can't help but experience the ups and downs right along with the characters. Saying I highly recommend this book would be an understatement, it will no doubt be one of the best reads of the year.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Read but.....
Review: Friday Nights at Honeybee's was an enjoyable read. Although I enjoyed the book, I gave this book 3 stars because I was disappointed that Viola did not return to her birthplace to confront her parents. One might say it wasn't worth it; however, it was never discussed in the book how she overcame (other than physically removed) the situation with her parents. Overall, the book was delightful. I enjoyed the author's description of the jazz and blues lifestyle.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Read but.....
Review: Friday Nights at Honeybee's was an enjoyable read. Although I enjoyed the book, I gave this book 3 stars because I was disappointed that Viola did not return to her birthplace to confront her parents. One might say it wasn't worth it; however, it was never discussed in the book how she overcame (other than physically removed) the situation with her parents. Overall, the book was delightful. I enjoyed the author's description of the jazz and blues lifestyle.

Rating:
Summary: Loved IT!!
Review: I am enjoying this book! It is good to have someone affirm you when those in your family cannot, and in the instances of Forestine and Viola, that was the case. Both of these girls were not understood by either of their families, and Viola's case, they marry her off to an eligible bachelor at their church to get rid of her. Even though she questions and asks whether or not she could love this man, no one really answers these things to her satisfaction. To be honest, the union should have never happen. In Forestine's case, she had no support, no backing by her mother, who should have given her what she needed and didn't. Only by her father and Nick, who taught her how to sing and project the gift that she had. Perhaps if she received the nuturing and love by BOTH parents, none of that stuff with her and her brother in law would have started. A great book by a debut author I hope to hear from again.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Page-turner.
Review: If you like African American fiction about Harlem and/or the Harlem Renaissance, you will love this book. It covers the adventures of two females running from their problems, but perservering. It was interesting from beginning to end and a page-turner.

Rating:
Summary: The Big House
Review: On a Friday night at Honeybee McColor's you will find a "gather" which includes good food, good conversation and good music among some of the best black musicians in Harlem. Set in the early 1960's, Friday Night At Honeybee's is a musical anthology of that time.

This story revolves around two characters that arrive at Honeybee's brownstone after literally running away from home. Told in alternating chapters, Forestine Bent and Viola Bembrey are running from the consequences of their actions in their homes. As a child Forestine always relished the music around her. She practiced with the best and dreamed about a life of singing and traveling. Her Achilles heel is her narrow-mindedness. Viola has an angelic voice but was relegated to life as a deacon's wife. One incident had her branded and forced from her southern hometown. Viola, provided with the name and address of Honeybee McColor, arrives in Harlem under duress and fear. Together, these two woman deal with their demons and their guilt to form a friendship rich in loyalty. With the assistance of Honeybee, Willa and Vernon, the other inhabitants at Honeybee's brownstone, Forestine and Viola definitely come into their own as woman of that time.

This is an interesting novel told in a fluid, symphonic and dramatic tone. Ms Smith provides the reader with Forestine and Viola's family history, which guides the reader in understanding their plights. The reader is also provided with a wealth of musical knowledge as it pertains to the history of blues and finally jazz. This is an excellent portrayal of 1960 Harlem, its music and the musical accomplishments of that time.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves, APOOO BookClub

Rating:
Summary: Feel the cadence of the "Gathers"
Review: Set in the early 1960's, Friday Nights at Honeybee's is the tale of two women, Forestine Bent of Brooklyn and Viola Bembry of Jasperville, South Carolina. Two women with vastly different backgrounds that meet at Honeybee McColor's Harlem Brownstone and develop a wonderful friendship. Viola is the daughter of a preacher man. Raised in the strictest of households, her mother prides herself on being the wife that does whatever her husband wants. Nelvern wants her household to be an example of a perfect marriage with a perfect child to boot. Viola desires other avenues but is forced into submission to her family. A loveless marriage, a moment of passion and an expulsion from the church find Viola on her way to Honeybee's. Forestine on the other hand, is a girl that lives in the shadow of her pretty sister and a mother who makes no bones that Forestine is nothing and never will be. If not for her father Willie, Forestine's hopes would be dashed. Her father insists that she is a good jazz and blues singer and she is encouraged to follow this pursuit. This eventually leads her to Honeybee's as well.

Once the convergence on Honeybee's takes place, both women seem to develop into their own personas. Forestine has a promising career, which is only enhanced with her performances at Honeybee's "gathers" in the Big House. Honeybee and her other housemates are a hoot. Who wouldn't mind living at the Big House. Viola comes into her own, a mature young lady who at last follows her heart and does what she wants to do for a change. The reader can really feel the atmosphere of the Big House with Ms. Smith's writing. I think she's done a wonderful job of bringing in the essence of blues and jazz into the story. Friday Nights at Honeybee's has a cadence of its own that starts at the front cover and moves throughout the entire book. I'm a jazz and blues fan and some of the names mentioned of other performers in the book were real which leads me to believe that Ms. Smith did her homework in preparing for the book. This always makes a book more grounded for me and I enjoy it a lot better. The melding of reality and fiction make for an interesting read. I really took pleasure in learning about Forestine and Viola, how two vastly different lifestyles yield similar results based on good values put forth by two families in two different ways. Read Friday Night's at Honeybee's, you will be thoroughly caught up and entertained.

Rating:
Summary: Feel the cadence of the "Gathers"
Review: Set in the early 1960's, Friday Nights at Honeybee's is the tale of two women, Forestine Bent of Brooklyn and Viola Bembry of Jasperville, South Carolina. Two women with vastly different backgrounds that meet at Honeybee McColor's Harlem Brownstone and develop a wonderful friendship. Viola is the daughter of a preacher man. Raised in the strictest of households, her mother prides herself on being the wife that does whatever her husband wants. Nelvern wants her household to be an example of a perfect marriage with a perfect child to boot. Viola desires other avenues but is forced into submission to her family. A loveless marriage, a moment of passion and an expulsion from the church find Viola on her way to Honeybee's. Forestine on the other hand, is a girl that lives in the shadow of her pretty sister and a mother who makes no bones that Forestine is nothing and never will be. If not for her father Willie, Forestine's hopes would be dashed. Her father insists that she is a good jazz and blues singer and she is encouraged to follow this pursuit. This eventually leads her to Honeybee's as well.

Once the convergence on Honeybee's takes place, both women seem to develop into their own personas. Forestine has a promising career, which is only enhanced with her performances at Honeybee's "gathers" in the Big House. Honeybee and her other housemates are a hoot. Who wouldn't mind living at the Big House. Viola comes into her own, a mature young lady who at last follows her heart and does what she wants to do for a change. The reader can really feel the atmosphere of the Big House with Ms. Smith's writing. I think she's done a wonderful job of bringing in the essence of blues and jazz into the story. Friday Nights at Honeybee's has a cadence of its own that starts at the front cover and moves throughout the entire book. I'm a jazz and blues fan and some of the names mentioned of other performers in the book were real which leads me to believe that Ms. Smith did her homework in preparing for the book. This always makes a book more grounded for me and I enjoy it a lot better. The melding of reality and fiction make for an interesting read. I really took pleasure in learning about Forestine and Viola, how two vastly different lifestyles yield similar results based on good values put forth by two families in two different ways. Read Friday Night's at Honeybee's, you will be thoroughly caught up and entertained.

Rating:
Summary: Friday Nights At Honeybee's
Review: There is a lot of reality in "Friday Nights at Honeybee's. These two young ladies, Forestine and Viola, are like many young ladies who seek the limelight at any cost. All of the characters in the book are well developed, and one can get a vicarious feeling about the social life. The book is well written and enjoyable.