What You Owe Me (Thorndike Press Large Print African-American Series)

Rating:
Summary: Boring Fluff
Review: The book started off well - lots of tension, conflict, friendship as well as interesting examples of common stereotypes - but somewhere after the first several chapters, things took a nosedive. The story got mucked up in the daily "excitement" of the cosmetics industry, and became super-fluff. I've completed the majority of the book and struggled to keep reading this one to the end, until I read a quote that one should never finish a book just for the sake of finishing a book. Life's too short, and there are too many good, well-written books out there to read. This, unfortunately, isn't one of them.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read - Can't Believe It's Fiction
Review: I purchased this book when it was first released and put the book down by page 50 because it starts slow. The hardcover edition is 500+ pages.
During Thanksgiving break 2002, I started reading the book again and couldn't believe I put it down a year earlier. The story of Hosanna (black Texan farm girl) and Gilda (Jewish Holocaust survivor) friendship/partnership is remarkable. The legacy that Hosanna passes on to her daughter regarding the betrayed friendship/partnership is even better. "What You Owe Me" displays how people can miss out on many of life's blessings when they are plagued by guilt or too determine to get revenge. This book is an emotional rollercoaster (tears, anger, laughter, heartbreak, insecurity, extreme confidence, etc.) I would love to see this book made into a movie!

Rating:
Summary: WOW!! Who would have thunk it?
Review: A book about love, hopes, desire, fear, racism, devotion and loyalty all wrapped into to one book. I really enjoyed this book it was so interesting. It is truly amazing to me that an author can take all of these different characters and describe them so vividly and have their lives intertwine. Mrs. Campbell you are an awesome writer who has a knack for describing, you leave nothing to the imagination. I have been reading all my life and I have read thousands and thousands of books but I must say that this is the best book that I have ever read. I have encouraged all of my friends to read this book for a little black history, I told them it would make you look at life a little bit differently or at least make you think about life and your position and role that you are playing in life be it that you are a husband, wife, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, friend, etc.... what do you contribute to your life and the ones around you. Although I really enjoyed the ending of the book I dread coming to the end I wish that it could have been longer or maybe a second book. Thanks Mrs. Campbell for your enlighten spirit, there was something in this book for everyone keep doing what you do I will continue to look forward to your new books, from your new fan.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic and Well-Told!
Review: I have read all my Ms. Campbell's books and this one is the best of the bunch, She really brings you into Hosanna's and Gilda's life with missing a beat, it was one of the best books I have read in a while, once I started it, I could not put it down, it was so intriguing and left wondering what was going to happen next. It helps you not only to notice black/white relations, but life and friendship in general, how misunderstandings can go on for years without ever being talked through and corrected. It was nice to read something encouraging where it did get settled, the ending was great and it took you on a ride that had its bumps, but it was worth it. The message is worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Z-Z-Z...
Review: This book began in such a powerful way. The first hundred pages are an excellent story of friendship and betrayal. You really feel for these women and I wished that Hosanna and Gilda had developed their own companies and competed that way. But Hosanna died and took the wonderfulness of the book with her. The story takes a Judith Krantz turn with all these characters that seem to have nothing to do with the story of Gilda and Hosanna. Though excellently written, the story becomes all powder and fluff. Perhaps this is to show how surface people in this industry are. I'm trying to finish this book but too much time is spent on these vapid characters that I'm just not feeling. The story becomes like everything else out there. What a shame for a book with such a promising start. I'll try and finish it, but I'm in no rush.

Rating:
Summary: Original Literary Work
Review: I truly enjoyed this book because it had a very orginal concept. It just wasn't your typical love gone wrong book. This book, which covered two generations of businesswomen and their quest to find success and happiness in the world of comestics, kept you guessing and looking forward to finishing the book.

Rating:
Summary: master story teller
Review: BeBe Campbell is a master of weaving 15 subplots all into one story. Most authors would stumble over themselves trying to introduce all these charators, not Ms Campbell. I wenjoyed the book, however the ending was just too tidy and unreal. Especially the scene where after the deal is completed Mr Mooney suffers a heart attack and goes to join his Hosanna. (Pluezze)
This book covered what can happen when you dont forgive, try to live anther person legacy, racism, classism all of it. I'm still a fan.

Rating:
Summary: Way Too Much Going On In This Book!!!
Review: It took me so long to finally finish this book. It wasnt because it was over 500 pages either. This book started out real good with Hosanna, but once she stopped talking, so did the book. I think the story line had good intentions, but some of the characters could have been left out like Asia, Sam, Jolie just to name a few. In real life, Kent would've never been hired again from a company he stole from and tried to blackmail. The ending of this book seemed to come together... I have read Brothers and Sisters, and it was good, but this one left alot to be desired.

Rating:
Summary: IN A CLASS OF IT'S OWN
Review: This novel is her best work yet. It is exceptional. This novel explores a friendship between two women and the significant issues that come between them.

Rating:
Summary: Yawn
Review: I have read most of Bebe Moore Campbell's books, and was thilled when this came out. Unfortunately the thrill soon became a big snore. The story drags and the characters are dull and convulted. There's just too much of nothing going on here. I can't wait til someone asks to borrow it so it's not on my bookshelf anymore.