Rating: 
Summary: All Hail to Hosanna
Review: Looking at the size of this novel I was afraid it would not have been able to capture and hold my attention. Boy!!! was I wrong. "What You Owe Me" was extremely interesting from start to finish. I did not want it to be over. I felt so attached to the characters. My favorite was Hosanna. She was determined, dedicated and daring. Because of the era in which she came of age, these qualities put her far ahead of her time. However, Hosanna's drive awakened Gilda from her self-imposed death sentence but drove Hosanna to an early grave wit a broken heart. It was interesting to see how Matriece (Hosanna's daughter) took up the torch lit by her mom but ended up caring about her mother's betrayer and almost walking down the same lonely road. It's funny how things are not always as they seem. One hint to remember...there are always two sides to a story. To find out what I'm talking about you will have to pick up your copy of this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: ok
Review: Hosanna is ripped off, by Gilda a white lady, who she throught was gonna be her business partner but instead ran off with Hosanna's ideal herself. Year's later Hosanna's daughter Matrience ends up working for Gilda, She is confused when Gilda takes her under her wing, and treat her real kind. Gilda has always felt guilty about what she did. A interesting read, but I was expecting more revenge to take place.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Novel
Review: I have read all of Mrs. Campbell's novels and have enjoyed all with the exception of the 'Singing in the Come Back Choir', which I could not totally connect. But this novel took me through an array of emotions some pleasant, others not so pleasant; to the point that I could see some of my characteristics (good and bad). To anyone who thinking twice about purchasing the novel, please to not hesitate. It is absolutely an excellent read. And I want to thank Mrs. Campbell for taking me on this trip; I have also learned, thank you.
Rating:
Summary: You Go Girl - Again!
Review: I loved this book! I took it on vacation with me to finish reading. The characters were believable. The history lesson accurate. It entwined love, hate, fear, anger. The characters of Matriece, Montgomery, Vonetta, Blair, Judd, Tavares, Boot, the "Big Three", all showed a wonderful insite into different backgrounds all coming together. If you want to read a book that gives you a well rounded story, this is it. Bebe wrote it without the usual graffic sex and bad language so often seen in books today. You did good Girl! Can't wait for your next one.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading
Review: After reading a synopsis of the novel, I assumed it would focus almost totally on Gilda, Hosanna, and Matriece. I was pleased to find that there was much more going on, and impressed with Campbell's ability to intertwine the lives of so many characters while she still managed to maintain focus. The chapters were short but detailed, enabling the reader to get a good look at the mindset of each character. It moved along quickly, and held my interest throughout the story. I was bothered, however, by the similarities between the younger generation's feelings for their parents [mainly the father figures], and it seemed a little redundant after a while. The way everything came together in the end was a bit too nice for my taste. But overall, it was an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A very soul-searching and inspiring book
Review: Bebe Moore Campbell's writing style is just as interesting as ever. I liked this story about a young Jewish immigrant and Holocaust survivor, Gilda, who befriends an African American, Hosanna, in Los Angeles, CA. She presents us with the beginning of a friendship which grows into a patnership in a small cosmetic buisness. Unfortunately, their friendship is abruptly ended due to some interferance by Gilda's uncle and first husband. So obviously, there are hard feelings felt by Hosanna who struggles to keep her buisness going, but runs into many road-blocks experienced by many would-be African-American buiness entrepreneurs at that time. Campbell does a spectacular job featuring the lives of Hosanna's daughters, Vonette and Matriece, along with other somewhat significant characters in the cosmetic buisness owned by Gilda. What stands out in this book, is how Campbell showed how one gets overwhelmed by grudges. One is unable to function properly, follow their own dreams, and as a result runs away from various issues in life. I liked how she tied in the issues of betrayal by fathers to their children, and how they were able to workout such sticky issues.
The book deals with people with dreams, how they fight to keep these dreams alive. In addition, it showed the simplicity of a family that is overflowing with love and great family principles (Vonette's family) as well as what happens when we live our lives in continous denial (Blair's family). I recommend this book for anyone who wants to think about soceital issues with some history, who has dreams,and would cry or just laugh at some of the characters in the book. It is a fun book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Bebe does it again...
Review: "What You Owe Me" is a fun read without being completely mindless. Bebe Moore Campbell develops her characters in a way that makes them come alive. Although the plot is sometimes predictable - as is life itself - it is always entertaining. Upon completing the novel I felt as if I was saying goodbye to friends...always the sign of a good read if you ask me.
Rating: 
Summary: What you Owe Me
Review: You OWE me a refund. This has got to be the worst yet for B.M. Campbell. What You Owe Me is long and boring. There are many story lines none of which have much meat or interesting texture. The more you read the more you will wish you hadn't started the book. I just kept wishing it was over.
Rating:
Summary: I wish I hadn't missed her book signing!
Review: I loved every minute of time I spent reading this book. My only complaint is that I missed the book signing Ms. Campbell did in DC! I'm still mad that I missed my chance to get an autographed copy.There are few books that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. This book is one. Other reviewers have already described the plot very well so I won't do it again. Get it right away!
Rating:
Summary: Good Reading
Review: Snuggle up with a blanket and some coffee, and enjoy the web that
BeBe Moore Campbell has spun. You'll love and identify with the emotions that drive these characters. Although the multitude of names (characters) that are mentioned but not developed can get confusing, if you continue on through,
you will be a better person because of it. Good Reading!
|
