Departures

Rating:
Summary: Don't read if you're busy
Review: My book club, The Page Turners had the pleasure of hosting author Adrienne Bellamy in February 2004 after reading her book Departures as our featured selection for the month. We found Adrienne to be just like her book - full of life and had a lot going on, all at the same time. What a lively discussion we had! The members had many questions for Adrienne and wanted her input to why she had written what she had written. Different members had different favorite characters. Some parts pleased us immensely, like Paula getting her just desserts. Part of Departures made us laugh and some parts just annoyed us. While reading the book, different members found themselves calling each other to find out if they had read the part where the person calling was at in the book. Often the conversation began, "Girl, wait to you get to page _____." Departures gave us a beginning to look forward to. All I can say is that you are in for a treat. You will meet a new cast of characters who get into things that we see on soap operas but they are so down to earth that they could be your next door neighbor. You'll find yourself wishing that they did live next door to you when you are in need of help because they are there for each other in good times and in bad. You'll wish you were a part of their lives and could attend their celebrations. Don't read this book when you have a deadline to face because you might end up in trouble with your boss. This book is a hard to put down till you get to the end of the book! Happy reading.

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous
Review: A funny, but honest look at the issues of romance, lust, friendship and revenge. The characters are racy and colorful, making it very hard to put this book down. You have to know what each character is going to do in the next chapter. It's likely the reader will finish in one sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Breaking free
Review: DEPARTURES is a welcomed change from the usual relationship fiction so readily available. This story takes place in a Philadelphia neighborhood where everyone knows each other and all their personal business. The cast of characters is a wonderful mix of people who will make you laugh out loud and think pensively.

Amber is a ten-year-old girl, who knows without a doubt her mother is going to kill her, because she hates her so much. As smart as Amber is, she cannot make her mother, Paula love her. With the pain her mother gives, will Amber be able to find true happiness?

Paula has a reputation in her circle of acquaintances. She considers herself adventuresome, but most consider her to be fast and just a little crazy. She thinks nothing of using men for money and she definitely doesn't worry about the affects her lifestyle has on her three daughters from three different men. Yet, she will experience a set back that will change her life and the life of her children.

Sheila was so mad at her husband before and after he died, that she does the unthinkable to take out her revenge and to take back her life. Her husband spent his money gambling and never caring how the bills would be paid. Unfortunately, it is his gambling that will cause him to lose his life. For Sheila, it was good riddance and on to a better life.

Reba is a mother of six children, a librarian and the wife of a man who doesn't know the meaning of fidelity. When a weekend trip takes her away from her deadbeat husband and children, she discovers what she has been missing. Upon her return home, the whole house is in for some real changes.

There are many more characters from the neighborhood. Readers will meet a cast they will immediately recognize; they have characteristics of people you know. The characters are funny, spontaneous and very real. I would be laughing out loud one minute and shaking my head the next with all the antics these women and men take on in order to break free of lives that are filled with infidelity, loneliness, fear and low self-esteem. I enjoyed the story, but I found I liked certain characters more than others. It was the lesser characters that made the flow of the novel somewhat slow, but it is the antics of the main characters that keep you reading. Even with the multitude of characters, each one is distinctive and helped to create a unique story. The story illustrates the ability of people to grow, be free and to evolve. DEPARTURES is one story worth taking the time to read. (3.5 Rating)

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers



Rating:
Summary: As real as it gets
Review: Departures, the debut novel by Adrienne Bellamy, can be summed up in two words, great book. Having been compared to the classic, The Women of Brewster Place, Departures is bound to make some noise in the literary world.

Amber is one of those children who as the old folks like to say has `been here' before. Relying on her old soul to navigate her through life as the child of an unfit mother, Amber has some pretty interesting tales to tell.

Paula, Amber's mother never wanted children and it definitely shows in the way she treats her three daughters. All she wants out of life is a good lay, fast times and warm male bodies to crawl up next to at night. Not having one maternal bone in her body along with the fact that her morality tank is sitting on "E", Paula is going to have to learn the hard way.

Shelia has been putting up with her deadbeat husband for as far back as she can remember. Finally at her wit's end and tired of dealing with his foolishness she gives him an ultimatum. Not able to live up to his end of the deal costs him his life. Unable to put up with him anymore she gives it to him. Too bad he isn't alive to hear what all she has to say.

Reba has been living her life for her six kids and her trifling husband. A trip out of town has opened her eyes to what she has been missing and she is ready to make a change. Certain that her happiness will be determined by her marital status, she is going to surprise a whole lot of people starting in her own house.

Seldom is there a novel where the characters affect you like the ones you meet in Departures. Whether they are making you cry or putting a smile on your face you are certain to find a special place in your heart for them

Angie

Rating:
Summary: Piece of Junk
Review: First of all she need to stop writting her own reviews.. this is the biggest waist of money that I have ever spent...I hope that she spends it well...fool me once but never twice..

Rating:
Summary: You must read Departures
Review: Hello All, I'm 18 years old.I have a copy of Departures and I LOVE this book. If you're the type of reader who really likes to become a part of the story and really get into a book-- then you're gonna want to read this. Whatever you're age, you will like it. It's so funny and the story is truly unique. I believe Ms. Bellamy is an amazing author and I am looking forward to reading the sequel to Departures as well as her future novels. You will want to too-- pick up this book because you won't forget it.

Rating:
Summary: You must read Departures
Review: Hello All, I'm 18 years old.I have a copy of Departures and I LOVE this book. If you're the type of reader who really likes to become a part of the story and really get into a book-- then you're gonna want to read this. Whatever you're age, you will like it. It's so funny and the story is truly unique. I believe Ms. Bellamy is an amazing author and I am looking forward to reading the sequel to Departures as well as her future novels. You will want to too-- pick up this book because you won't forget it.

Rating:
Summary: DAYS GONE BY!
Review: I couldn't read this book fast enough. Every character, every incident reminded me of days gone by in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed reliving those days. When I was finished reading Departures, I wanted more. I felt a void. I wondered how long I would have to wait for a sequel. I started re-reading Departures and savoring every minute of it. I strongly recommend that everyone read this book. You will most definitely find yourself in one of the characters.

Rating:
Summary: good read
Review: I first heard about this book from the author herself. I didn't have a clue what it was about or if I was going to like it but I figured it was worth a shot.What a shot this book turned out to be.
one reviewer said that there were too many characters and that she was drawn to only certain ones. I think that is the best part of the book. It read like a t.v. soap opera. I loved just about all of the women in the book and some of the men. I think I enjoyed Doug the most.
I will say though, being a pisces woman and knowing many piscean women, I was a little offended of Ms. Bellamy's opinion of us. On the contrary to her book we are very kind, caring, loving, and feeling people. Probably the most sensitive in the zodiac.
But beyond that I really enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: I title my review intriguing, because intriguing means engaging interest to a marked degree. The book was simply fascinating. Once I started to read it, I just couldn't put it down. The characters were dynamic. There were strong women as well as men. This book has a little of everything. It will make you laugh as well as cry. It will even make you want to jump right in there as a character and beat some people up. Even toward the end you got a little surprise. Each woman in this book was unique in their own way. The author caught a little of every woman's characterics. I just can not wait for the next book. Please bring it on.