In the Face of the Sun

By: Denny S. Bryce

Narrated by: Tracey Conyer Lee, Lynnette R. Freeman

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

At the height of the civil rights movement, amidst an America convulsed by the 1960s, a pregnant young woman and her brash, profane aunt embark upon an audacious road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles to confront a decades-old mystery from 1920s Black Hollywood in this haunting novel of historical fiction from the author of Wild Women and the Blues.

A lime-gold Ford Mustang is parked outside my building. Unmistakable. My Aunt Daisy, the driver, is an audacious woman that no one in our family actually speaks to. They only speak about her—and not glowingly. Still, she is part of my escape plan…

1928, Los Angeles: The newly built Hotel Somerville is the hotspot for the city's glittering African-American elite. It embodies prosperity and dreams of equality for all—especially Daisy Washington. An up-and-coming journalist, Daisy anonymously chronicles fierce activism and behind-the-scenes Hollywood scandals in order to save her family from poverty. But power in the City of Angels is also fueled by racism, greed, and betrayal. And even the most determined young woman can play too many secrets too far…

1968, Chicago: For Frankie Saunders, fleeing across America is her only escape from an abusive husband. But her rescuer is her reckless, profane Aunt Daisy, still reeling from her own shattered past. Frankie doesn't want to know what her aunt is up to so long as Daisy can get her to LA—and safety. But Frankie finds there’s no hiding from long-held secrets—or her own surprising strength.

Daisy will do whatever it takes to settle old scores and resolve the past—no matter the damage. And Frankie will come up against hard choices in the face of unexpected passion. Both must come to grips with what they need, what they’ve left behind—and all that lies ahead …

©2022 Denny S. Bryce (P)2022 Recorded Books

meh

I liked the time period and descriptions of life back then, but Daisy felt like two different characters and the narrators weren't great.

Engaging & Well Written

I enjoyed this story of black women and men dealing with the limitations set on them because of race. Set in Los Angeles in a time of early breakthroughs. Then in 1968 as the struggle continues. Great characters and twists & turns.

Pretty good… But had hoped for more

Was looking forward to this book, I love reading about the civil rights movement, and these periods in history, but much of this book was just enough to keep me going, but not enough to be really smitten or compelled to listen at every available opportunity. Considered returning it once or twice, but decided to stick with it. Glad I did, but not going out of my way to recommend to others.

Very Cool Story

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It remind me of my Great Aunt. Wonderful story. It really made me smile.

Very enjoyable

A slice of generational life spanning decades. Very well done I highly recommend this book.

Started out with a bang…

And then just kind of plodded along. I thought we were in for some twists and turns but it never happened.

Amazing Storytelling and Weaving of Two Timelines

The narrators were both excellent and made a great book...greater. While listening, I kept thinking what an amazing storyteller Denny S. Bryce is and what an excellent job she was doing weaving two timelines and their stories together: held together from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

Engaging

A well told story. Engaging and keeps your interest. Good character’s description nostalgic in nature.

Good story, spanning decades and differences.

I did not know what to expect when the book began. I thought I would not enjoy the story when it looked as though it would merely be a women's book of little substance, but as I listened, I felt drawn into it.

Francine is possibly in her early 20s when the story opens. She's pregnant and finally going to leave her abusive husband. Worried that Jackson will find her, she enlists her Aunt Daisy, a woman she barely knows, to get her out of town. Daisy, in her late 50s, is a feisty woman, always ready to attack and defend, and is estranged from Francine's mother Henrietta, as is Francine.

There are two main timelines for this book: 1928 Los Angeles and 1968 Chicago and the road to LA. In both these times and places, the difficulties faced by Black people are addressed head-on. In the 20s, the Black gathering places, the first Black built and owned hotel, as well as Black Hollywood and newspapers figure into the scene. The dangers of daily life can be brutal.

In the 60s, the race riots are fresh in memories, and the two women and the white man who accompanies them to LA must select their rest stops on the highway with care.

Of course, one does not easily escape an abuser, so Jackson is hot on the trail, creating havoc back in Chicago. At that time, domestic cases were largely considered the couple's problem, with police ignoring the brutality.

Their road back is not an easy one, and the two stories are still unfinished through most of the book, but the book is satisfying. I recommend this.

Wonderful

I loved this book. it brought home memories of my youth and the struggles of the people of color at that time. The Vietnam War, the hippies (just because they were different and wanted different things for their life, the murder of Martin Luther King JR, the murder of Robert Kennedy. So much happened in the 60's and 70's and had a profound effect on me. This book was magical, heartbreaking, funny and full of memories for me. I highly recommend it.