Resurrecting Mingus: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Finally a story that isn't like all the others
Review: This was my first book written by Ms. Adams, and I have to say that I like her writing style. The book caught my eye from the first page up until the last. When Mingus cried, I wanted to cry.
The whole situation with her mother trapping her father into marrying her was messed up. The situation where she had a little sister because her father cheated was even more messed up. Her relationship with her sister also was a problem, but the situation that takes the cake is when her sister and her boyfriend have an affair. I know they didn't have sex, but still. He cheated, even thought not intentionally, and her sister, her flesh and blood, did that to hurt her.
I felt Mingus was really strong in the end. It seems that she finally had her head on right and was going to start looking after herself. And that's always good to read about. All in all, the book was an excellent read.

Rating:
Summary: A Good First
Review: This, in my opinion, is a competant first novel. During the first few chapters, I admit, I was a bit bored and even more disappointed, but then, Adams managed to surprise me, demonstrating that her novel had more depth and meaning than I think the first few chapters indicate. Although Mingus is the main character, I enjoy most what Adams does with the character of the father--the reasons behind naming his daughter, especially, I think was eloquently done. This book does not rate high on my list of favorites, as I think it deal with issues of interracial relationships, the battle of the sexes and brother and sister relationships from a hackneyed and overdone perspective, ten years too late. However, I would recommend it as a friendly read, from which you can either take or leave the lessons Adams means to teach. I'm pretty happy I bought it.

Rating:
Summary: Resurrect your mind and read this book
Review: When I first started the book, it took me some time to get into it. The writing style is different, but once I got into the character Mingus, it was hard to put down the book. The story is about Mingus. She has a great career, but her personal life is not all that good. Her relationships never seem to last, she does not get along with her sister, and she is grappling with changes in her family. She is bi-racial, but always identified herself as black. When she gets involved with a white man she has to question if she is doing the right thing, then she meets Eric who is a black man and that complicates things even further. When she thinks she has finally found the love of her life, a bombshell is dropped that rocks her to the core. When she cries, you will want to cry. You want her to find that happiness that we often times think is elusive. I'm looking forward to reading Jenoyne's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Resurrect your mind and read this book
Review: When I first started the book, it took me some time to get into it. The writing style is different, but once I got into the character Mingus, it was hard to put down the book. The story is about Mingus. She has a great career, but her personal life is not all that good. Her relationships never seem to last, she does not get along with her sister, and she is grappling with changes in her family. She is bi-racial, but always identified herself as black. When she gets involved with a white man she has to question if she is doing the right thing, then she meets Eric who is a black man and that complicates things even further. When she thinks she has finally found the love of her life, a bombshell is dropped that rocks her to the core. When she cries, you will want to cry. You want her to find that happiness that we often times think is elusive. I'm looking forward to reading Jenoyne's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Very Much Alive
Review: Wonderful book. This book was shared with me without my ever having heard of the author and it was a pleasant surprise. The subject of growing up bi-racial is one that is often met with a lot of contrariness, stubborness, ignorance, and anger. This book covered all of that, but still managed to tell a wonderful story about a woman who just basically wanted to live a "normal" life.
She wrestled with betrayal, family problems, infidelity, and divorce. Despite the mundaneness of all that, the writer approached it in a way that either made you laugh or recall your own battles similar to Mingus'. This is a well written look into the life of a young woman who is stronger than she appears to be. And writing a character that way is no easy feat, especially when the reader is with her every step of the way. If anything, we should know how strong she is throughout the story, but we really don't until the last paragraph of the book. That's just good writing. The dialogue was easy and no matter how simple the plot was, it flowed and ebbed beautifully. I'm looking forward to watching this author grow.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Enjoyable
Review: You will love this book. I truely enjoyed Jenoyne Adams's style of writing. I loved the way she expressed each characters pain. This was just a remarkable read. I'm already looking forward to Adams's next novel. I started reading this novel last night and finished it this morning. I could not seem to put it down.