Just Wanna Testify

A Novel

By: Pearl Cleage

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Familiar faces and places meet fresh twists and turns in this enthralling novel from acclaimed author Pearl Cleage.

Atlanta’s West End district has always been a haven and home to a coterie of unique characters - artists and thinkers, dreamers and doers. Folks here know one another’s names, keep their doors unlocked, and look out for their neighbors. Anyone planning to sell drugs, vandalize, or rob a little old lady should think twice before hitting this part of town. And Blue Hamilton, West End’s unofficial mayor and longtime protector, will see to it that you do. Blue wears many hats here, including adored husband to Regina, dear nephew to Abbey, and doting father to Sweetie and another little one on the way.

Blue is also the man you pay your respects to if you’re looking to set up shop in this urban enclave - just ask Serena Mayflower, whom Blue sees striding down Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard wearing skin-tight black leather pants, thigh-high boots, and bright red lipstick. This tall, slender, ethereally beautiful woman and her four equally striking sisters make up the Too Fine Five, a quintet of international supermodels who have arrived in town for an Essence magazine photo shoot.

But Blue’s gut tells him that there’s more to these Mayflower mademoiselles than their affection for full moons and Bloody Marys. With the help of his beloved Regina and their close friends and relations in West End, Blue vows to uncover the women’s secret intentions - and prove once and for all that there is no greater force on earth than the power of love.

A mesmerizing slice of not-so-everyday life, brimming with wicked wit and spiced with a few supernatural surprises, Just Wanna Testify showcases Pearl Cleage’s masterly storytelling at its soulful and satisfying finest.

©2011 Pearl Cleage (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Praise for Just Wanna Testify:

"There's moments of kick butt fun ... fans will be pleased." (PW)

PRAISE FOR PEARL CLEAGE:

Till You Hear From Me“What Cleage gets right, as in her previous novels, is the strength and warmth of the people of the [West End] Atlanta community. . . . The scenes of them and others laughing, joshing, cooking and eating are full and rich.” (The Washington Post)

Seen It All and Done the Rest

“Sparkling . . . No doubt, Seen It All’s leading lady, actress Josephine Evans, will [be] a book-club fave.” (Essence)

Refreshing, inventive and unexpected!!

I hesitated for a while because of the topic of vampires--- not my thing, but this book is wonderful. What if....men did this and what if...women could do that?? Imagine the possibility of what love, real love between a MAN and a WOMAN could be. The vampire spin is a metaphor (listen or read the book to answer for what). I find something to stir up an evening full of conversation each time I listen. Well done!

Interesting!

Never thought it was this type of book! I am a big fan of this author, so never thought it would be about something like this. Reccomend highly!

Great

Loved it and the narrator was very good story teller and I felt like I was part of the story.

A Dream In The West End

Would you listen to Just Wanna Testify again? Why?

On my long drives from one side of the country to another, listening to one of Pearl Cleage's novels keeps me excited, interested, and awake.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the way in which Cleage smoothly presented a soulful rendition of science fiction.

What about Bahni Turpin’s performance did you like?

Bahni Turpin is refreshing and animated. She sounds like a sistahgirlfriend sitting in my living room telling me a story.

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

The end was very moving. I really became emotional.

Any additional comments?

I have not been disappointed in Pearl Cleage's "West End" stories and this was another one that reinforced why I love her writing. An excellent twist of a story that moved Cleage into another delightful genre. It was also an excellent way to bring up two sub-topics that reflect some of today's social issues (body image and the unacceptable conduct of young college males).

Awesome Read

I highly recommend this. it is a thrilling, thought-provoking, and heart touching listen. I truly enjoyed it..

A story within the story

I enjoyed how Cleage used the vampire existence as a personification of the current status of African American relationships.

Stupendous!

The chakral floodgates opened and the tears started to flow once I realized that the testimony was a witness to the power of love. The storyline was clever, and I thoroughly enjoyed the reflective and energetic performance. Pearl Cleage fan through and through.

different for pearl

I might have given it as many stars as I did because I love Pearl!! Because she writes so well, she takes this book from just being fair to being a good listen. Not my favorite, but not terrible either.

great storyline

Hard to put down. the reader puts you into scenes while bringing back memories of your own.

Phenomenal

Awesome book. Great story. Really pulls you in. Narrator was very good. Characters were heard through her voice. This is a favorite book.