Here and Now

By: Kimberla Lawson Roby

Narrated by: Donna Bailey

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Already at the top of the Blackboard Bestseller List, this critically acclaimed new voice in African-American literature is both passionate and vibrant. In this, Kimberla Lawson Roby's second novel, strong characters explore the complexities of such real life issues as relationships, single parenthood, and infertility. Racquel and Marcella are sisters with very little in common, except that each wants what the other has.

Racquel has a beautiful house, a fulfilling career and a loving husband. But driven by her desperate longing for a child, she is alienating her husband and family. Marcella is a single mom, trying to support her two children with a low paying job, food stamps, and occasional child support from a deadbeat ex-husband. She won't allow anyone to interfere with her dream for a better lifestyle, not even her own children. Narrator Donna Bailey skillfully renders the emotionally powerful experiences of two women as they learn to accept their losses. Sometimes funny and often heartbreaking, their story touches listeners with a message of healing and hope.

©1999 Kimberla Lawson Roby (P)2001 Recorded Books,LLC

It's all about life!!

Really down to earth, and it could had a book two to follow the story.

A highly recommended reading!!

Ms. Roby is a very good writer. She developed her characters well in this book, providing a good balance between sisters whose their lives are both similar yet difference; the author demonstrates how their closeness supersedes animosity and jealousy as they love and support each other when the going gets tough. She shows how when it rains, it pours, but with preseverance and faith in God, their family survive adversity. Highly recommended reading!

Wonderful

I love this book it was so real it will make you laugh and cry great book a must read. Love it

Get your tissues ready, ladies

I wasn't expecting this book to be so emotional. I thought it was going to just be about the relationship between sisters. But maybe our expectations are always interrupted in real life. Love the narrator's voice. Very well done.

Just like us...

There were no extreme surprises and I found the characters to be just like everyone I already know. I was happy with the outcome of Kevin and Raquel. I wish something had been written more about the Administrator at the end on the big day. Otherwise, I enjoyed it and look forward to maybe a bit of a more 'out of the hood' storyline next time.

Kind of depressing

Lots of twists and turns overall a pretty good book but it wasn't what I expected at the end with the happy ending kind of depressing still love this author.

Early Kimberla

I would have rated higher had I read this years ago, however, I rated based on how she evolved as a writer (character development in particular) over the years.

Good read

At the start of this book I was a little concerned that I wouldn't enjoy it but it turns out that I was not dissatisfied. plenty of unexpected moments and I loved the ending. It's hard to find a good narrator. This one is pretty good.

Great story

Kimberla is an awesome story teller. She tells stories that are true to life, the characters are realistic, and the reader can actually feel the emotions each character experiences. This book takes a look into the lives of a family at they experience joy, love, pain, grief, reunions, heartbreak, and proud moments. Great read (listen).

Great listen!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Here and Now to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but the audio version allowed me to experiece the story without having to sit and read it myself. I could clean my house and listen to the book.

What about Donna Bailey’s performance did you like?

I really like how she put a lot of emotions into the narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The struggles of Marcella being a single mom because I could relate to the things she was experiencing.