Kelly

Ok, OK, we all know this book reads like a classic movie. Let's cast this movie!

Abileen - Alfre Woodard, Whoopi

Minny - Octavia Spencer (the narrator for Minny in the book), Oprah, Jennifer Hudson, Monique, Latifah

Skeeter - Jennifer Garner

Hillie - Ashley Judd like (I know Ashley's too old for this role, but someone with her "fire" could do this!

If you digg stories about the journeys of family's history and how their lives affect their descendents, this is the book! It reminds me of the story by Bernice McFadden entitled "NOWHERE IS A PLACE" how it seamlessly weaves the present with the past.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical journey of this Dominican Republican family. I genuinely felt the triumphs, the tragedies, the pain, I even smelled the food and saw the land as I opened my mind and allowed this detailed story take me away.

--B4

Hey, and you think women have skeletons in their closets. Men are just as tainted. I enjoyed this book because it revealed "alot".....well, "too much" about some of men's secrets, tendencies, and weaknesses. The storyline was going on and secrets were EVENTUALLY revealed and then BAM!!-- suspenseful twists and turns that turned this chick-book into a MANLY read. Read this book!!

--B4

I enjoyed this story because it outlines the journey of a young lady who recognizes her situation and transforms her trauma into a profitable venture for herself. *Haters won't understand.* (If you got it, make it work for you) At some point in the story it became a bit implausable that this is the mind of a 16-year-old making these crafty decisions though.

I have great empathy for the plight of the black woman. They can become the most resourceful and resilient people on the planet. Think about it:In the slavery days a black woman *had* to make love to the "Massah", raise the "Massah's son and give herself to him if he desired her, go back to the "quarters" and make love to her very bitter "beau" -AND on top of that- keep her sanity while raising the children and keeping the house. Admit it! Black women are amazing! Once they recognize their situation and they learn how to turn their curses into triumph.

However, the conclusion could have been better for me in my opinion. I wanted Johnnie to make an explosive exit at the end. Not a quiet dribble.

--B4

Listen carefully to the editor's introduction and you'll agree that black writers have so much more to offer than those situational, dramatic, relationship-type novels. Now, I do *luvs* my "black soap opera" novels from time to time, but as the colors of the rainbow, I have an ecclectic appetite for literature and it is TRULY refreshing to own a collection like this offered in Dark Dreams.

I was not surprised at the profound, suspenseful, intriguing, and supernatural short stories in this collection of black writers because I'm a serious fan of Gary Hardwicke, Gar Anthony Haywood, Zane, Stephen Carter, and Tina McElroy Ansa. All of these writers can stand toe-to-toe (or shall I say, noun-to-noun) with those so called "New York Times Best Sellers" lists of authors any day!

I strongly advise those who tend to have an affinity to those "too much black drama for your mama" novels to expand your horizons a bit. Check out this collection of well written, intriguing short stories and I guarantee you will be truly pleased as I am!

--B4

Loved the "pen pal" style of writing! You'll enjoy this story if U like to feel the sense of progress, maturity, and mental and cerebral growth. The narrators were the BEST. It was like finding a chess full of letters, and while reading them, you're transformed into these characters lives. U feel their love, their hardships, the pain, and their triumphs! These are truly people U and I grew up with and we know them very, very well

Highly recommend this journey!!

--B4

I loved experiencing this story. It had perserverence, strength of character, unconditional friendship, profound love, suspense, and most of all, triumph!

Allow Devoto to take you on a journey. You'll put this one up as one of your favorites just like I did.

I love this page turning, fast-paced, thriller thriller. Can't wait until Part 2. Wolf is No Joke! Waiting for Hollywood to mess the movie up.....as they alwayz do.