Rating: 
Summary: A not to miss tale
Review: A not to miss tale revolving around Mingus Browning and her interracial family, Resurrecting Mingus confronts issues head on regarding honor, betrayal, sibling rivalry, self-love and our connectedness to each other. Moreover, it is the story of a two women, one a successful biracial sister in search of herself and love and the other, her mother who is learning to come into her own. Fittingly, this novel begins with this biblical quote: "For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself." Roman 14:7. The novel opens with a revelation about the main character, Mingus Browning's parent's marriage. When their marriage dissolves, not only are Mingus' mother and father effected, but their two daughters as well. And, everyone's relationship with each other is challenged as parties choose sides and deal with the emerging new reality of a house divided. Despite the fact that Mingus and her sister, Eva, are adults at the time of the collapse of their parents' marriage, the devastation to their perception of home is still compelling and illuminates the reality that a lot of adult children feel when their parents separate. Further, Mingus' observation of her mother's weaknesses makes her mother's journey to be complete without her husband inspiring. Love Having lost someone I loved once, when I read this question, I immediately identified with Elaine, who was trying to rebuild herself after dedicating years of her life to a man and somehow losing her own identity: "How do you lose the one thing you've lived your life for?" But, unlike Elaine, I did not lament a life of wasted potential or long lost family. Rather, I began to wonder if I were deserving of love and fidelity or whether there was something inherently wrong with "love" in general. I had begun to have the same cynical reaction to love that the desperately single, thirty-something, Mingus Browning, has: "I'm beginning to think of love as a can of orange juice concentrate. You start off potent and then you blend three cans of hope and desires to perfect taste. Each lie, argument and disappointment just adds more water and...the flavor." And, although, like Mingus I had been blessed to find love for a second time that too failed, I realized, as she does, that self-love was and is the most important component to attracting and keeping love. Interracial Dating/ Marriage/Biracial Children More than simply being in conflict about finding love, Mingus wonders in what shade love might come: "White fingers don't feel any different with your eyes closed. A touch is a touch. It's seeing your future in the wrong man's eyes that's the hard part." Although I have no problems with interracial dating, it is clear by the statements of characters in this novel, that love in whatever shade is hard. Interracial love bears a special weight that can only flourish and grow if the character of the individual is strong. As Mingus' father indicates, he was not prepared for such a burden: "I gave up my dream - a normal black life with a normal black wife and black children. I just wanted to be like everybody else. Not to have to put on shows or have my defenses up when I am out with my wife. I get tired." Of course, with love and marriage, sometimes come children. And for Mingus, and many other biracial children, the question of fitting in sometimes arises: "Sometimes when I was little, I used to wonder what it would have been like to have a brown family." Building a strong self-identity is essential to the characters in this story, making this a highly relatable and understandable testament to the struggles that life and love have in store. If there is one quote that stands out the most and provides the greatest life lesson, it is the following: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand," Matthew 12:25.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: Adams really does a good job here. Stylistically her words just flow right of the page-almost poetically. I really enjoyed her use of Mingus's journal entries-it really helps the reader get even closer to who as she is so distanced from most of the people in her life, besides her father. But what purpose does her menses serve throughout the book? Anyways the words also inspire raw emotion that do not always seek to condemn or explain away characters decisions, but merely convey a sense of humanity in the characters that we all can relate too. The one question that remains unclear is the tone. One gets the sense that the author doesn't have much hope for interracial relationships, while at the same time, so much for what happens rings true in all relationships, but on different levels. So how big is race in this book? Reminds me of Danzy Senna's "Caucasia." Nonetheless, I think Adams paints a fair picture of all the characters without being overly sentimental or having them make unbelievable choices-on that note, I think that's why the ending works so well. Although I do think they will be together :). One thing I think Adams could have explored more was the time in which Carl and the mom lived to provide a bigger picture of racism etc. Maybe we could have heard Carl's voice a little more too. Other than the occasional spelling errors this was a good one. I look forward to more of Adams's work.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story !!!
Review: Although not an initial page turn, this is a good read ! If you pick it up and think it is moving kind of slow, stick with it. I read her husband's book: Raising Fences and was curious about her writing since he mentioned in his book that she was writing this book.
Job well done for a first novel. I am looking forward to reading Selah's Bed.
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Summary: A VERY POWERFUL STORY!!
Review: Amazingly written with such emotion. Resurrecting Mingus is a powerful, powerful story about coming to the realization that one "must" make a choice in life to love yourself first, even when you believe you love others more. This beautifully written story of love, betrayal, secrets and jealousy is bound to keep the readers engrossed as the tale unfolds with Mingus listening to her older sister, Eva, speak on a family issue that sets the pace for incredibly thought proviking issues and life long lessons, learned through the realization of distrust, hurt and pain. This tale is not just about relationships, but about growth and recoginizing that sometimes decisions are made on "what's needed" and not "what's wanted". This PAGETURNER is a must for ALL to read!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Resurrecting the Beauty of Black Literature
Review: Finally, it is nice to see an african american writer of my generation that is taking her craft very seriously. While African-American authors have been putting out a lot of juicy stories - (see Terry McMillan, E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey etc.) no one is putting out literature. When I speak of literature, I am referring to a work of art, where the story, the language, punctuation and even typesetting blend together to entrance the reader. Don't get it twisted, Jenoyne Adams' story IS COMPLETELY JUICY, however she is an amazing writer who invites you into the heart of all of her characters. If you like the soap operatic story lines of the authors listed above, you will not be disappointed. However, if you truly appreciate the beauty of the writing of Toni Morrison, Tina McElroy Ansa or the emotional simplicity of a Sonia Sanchez haiku......this book is a must read.
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Summary: One of My Favorites in 2001!
Review: Growing Up all Mingus Browning ever wanted was to belong, to feel normal and secure in a semi-perfect family. Now all grown up as a mature adult everything appears to be okay in her professional life as a successful lawyer, however, her personal life continues to stay in a rut due to one heartbreak after another. As she sits depressed over the breakup of her last boyfriend, she receives a phone call from her oldest sister, Eva. All hell breaks loose when Mingus learns that her father has left her white mom for another woman...a black woman no less. Mingus was unprepared for the dissolution of her parents 35-year marriage or the fact that life as she knew it would be ever shattered. Mingus is torn as she struggles to do right by her mom, although she's always been closest to her father, Carl. As Carl pulls away from Mingus the hole he digs might be too deep to ever repair and the lives he shatters will never be the same again. Resurrecting Mingus is a well-written, candid and poignant debut novel from Jenoyne Adams. Its a tale about growing up in an interracial family. A tale of secrets, deceit, betrayal and identity issues. The Browning Family truly makes you wonder how one family can appear so normal on the outside yet be so dysfunctional on the inside. As the family is engulfed by the affects of adultery, the bond seems to ravel as we discover secrets that have been hidden for over 30 years. One of the greatest strength of Adams writing is the character development and her ability to transition seamlessly between characters as she allows them to each tell their crucial side of the story. The reader is allowed to witness up close and personal the emotional side of the Browning Family. There's Mingus, the successful younger daughter who's only wanted to be loved and to belong. She couldn't understand why her mother seemed to prefer her sister Eva over her. Mingus' mom, Ellen, struggles to understand why her marriage collapsed. Seems she was more concerned about loving her husband than she was about loving herself. Mingus' father Carl confronts his many mistakes and owns up to a few of them. Mingus' older sister, Eva probably the least understood member of the family. As the story climaxes and comes to an explosive ending, Eva was the person who appeared to have no redeeming qualities and an individual that you loved to hate. Resurrecting Mingus is appropriately titled as familial and personal events force Mingus to reevaluate her relationship with her parents as well as her feelings about her biracial identity. Resurrecting Mingus is a craftily written, riveting and poignant novel. Adams gives a new and different voice to a interracial marriage and the affect that it has on kids even when they're grown. It's a moving and touching story that you will ponder long after you read the last chapter. Pick up this book and discover this new author today. APOOO Bookclub
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Summary: Compelling look at the disintegration of a family
Review: How does a family of thirty-five years get to the point where they are slowly killing each other with lies, sibling rivalry, infidelity, hidden secrets? The Browning family is at a crossroad. After seemingly living an existence that was in truth a series of lies and mistrust, the family can no longer trust one another. Does Eva really hate her sister Mingus? Did Carl and Elaine have a marriage based on guilt and obligation? Did Mingus grow up denying a part of herself. Torn between a white mother who is has given up her past life and lived through her husband and a black father she adores, Mingus is torn apart when her beloved Daddy disappoints the family. But is Carl's betrayal a result of misplaced obligation, a man who has outgrown his wife or the result of racial awareness. Struggling for normalcy means trying to string together alot of wrongs to get right. Told in the point of view from Minugus, her father Carl, and her mother Elaine, this poignant tale will make you stop and look at interracial families in a new light. Being on display for the whole world to wonder and make judgements have caused Mingus distress in her personal life. Meeting Eric, who seems to be the man of her dreams, seems to be the medicine she needs. But this young woman needs to find happiness within herself in order to define "normalcy". One of the best books of 2001.
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Summary: The perfect combination of romance and reality!
Review: I didn't want it to end. Adams did such a great job drawing out her characters that I felt as if I knew them. I'm hoping for a sequel!!
Rating:
Summary: Resurrecting Mingus
Review: I had this book for some time just sitting on my bedroom floor, the bookcover did not appeal to me at all so it just sat there. Then one day I picked it up and I could not put it down... it was an excellent story, well written, every chapter dealt with some issue or another. All I can say is never judge a book by its cover and this book was a fantastic read and a must read. The book is presently circulating all over my office and so far has gotten raving reviews!!!! I am waiting for Adams next book.... Enjoy the book and keep smiling :-)!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: I realize I'm in the minority here....
Review: I have read all the reviews here, and must say I am stunned. I found this book to be so depressing that at times, I could barely pick it up to finish it. It's a mystery to me why Mingus had to keep referring to her menstrual patterns--gross. She made one bad decision after another in the story...did she really think Eva would contribute positively to the Thanksgiving dinner, for example? I am caucasian, and found all her pondering about race to be BORING. It was interesting about her parents' interracial relationship, only because it happened during a time when it was less widely accepted, but....does anyone dwell THAT MUCH on their race? I know I don't, anyway. I'm a person, we're all people. Finally, at the end, Mingus makes a smart realization, but it was not worth waiting for. Now, my opinion will certainly be disagreed with (more power to you!) That is the good thing about consumer reviews, it's each person's individual opinion, and everyone is entitled to one. My opinion is, skip this book.
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