Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful story
Review: This novel is a lovely piece of work. A naive woman name October Brown finds out what life serves up when you get involved with a married man and have a child. She also learns that a child needs more than what she is initially willing to give. Through time she discovers that she loves and wants her son,(she gave him up to her sister). She learns the truth about her mother and father, and discovers that no one in this life can go on without their family.Included in this little tale of words are history and music. This book is a light read, nothing truly indepth, but sparkling with warmth. It is a breath of fresh air, and if you like to read about human nature, this is the perfect addition. Joy.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet Book
Review: This novel is a lovely piece of work. A naive woman name October Brown finds out what life serves up when you get involved with a married man and have a child. She also learns that a child needs more than what she is initially willing to give. Through time she discovers that she loves and wants her son,(she gave him up to her sister). She learns the truth about her mother and father, and discovers that no one in this life can go on without their family. Included in this little tale of words are history and music. This book is a light read, nothing truly indepth, but sparkling with warmth. It is a breath of fresh air, and if you like to read about human nature, this is the perfect addition. Joy.
Rating:
Summary: Clair's writing is exquiste
Review: This story was beautifully written. Claire has an amazing way of bringing the story alive before your eyes. She has such a gift for description that I actually felt my stomach lurch at some of the details. A must read!
Rating:
Summary: Try this book!
Review: This was a wonderful and heartbreaking story of family loyalty and hardship. It was emotional without being sappy. It was one of those "quiet" books that will stay with you for a long time. I highly recommend, and since I agree with the reviewers who said it started out slowly - stick with it... it's well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Who owns a secret?
Review: What a literary pleasure! The characters were so well developed that I found myself loving and despising them at the same time. The underlying theme of grace, growth, and family secrets is engaging without being overwhelming. When the mother "holds" for her girls you find yourself hoping for them also. This is no fairy tale, it is a story of people making real, albeit sometimes questionable, life decisions and trying to cope with the consequences. I highly recommend this book for any book club because it illicits such varied responses and yet transcends all demographics. BRAVA! Ms. Clair.
Rating:
Summary: Who owns a secret?
Review: What a literary pleasure! The characters were so well developed that I found myself loving and despising them at the same time. The underlying theme of grace, growth, and family secrets is engaging without being overwhelming. When the mother "holds" for her girls you find yourself hoping for them also. This is no fairy tale, it is a story of people making real, albeit sometimes questionable, life decisions and trying to cope with the consequences. I highly recommend this book for any book club because it illicits such varied responses and yet transcends all demographics. BRAVA! Ms. Clair.
Rating:
Summary: Kudos to Maxine Clair
Review: What a wonderful addition October Suite is to the African-American literary canon. The story of October Brown (first introduced in Clair's short story collection, Rattlebone)is a poignant telling of a young woman's attempt to navigate the uneven terrain of relationships with men, family, and oneself. Clair is also to be commended for the sense of place she evokes in the novel--I felt like I was in 1950s Kansas! I highly recommend this novel!
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