Nowhere is a Place

By: Bernice McFadden

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing can mend a broken heart quite like family. Sherry has struggled all her life to understand who she is, where she comes from, and, most important, why her mother slapped her cheek one summer afternoon. The incident has haunted Sherry, and it causes her to dig into her family's past. Like many family histories, it is fractured and stubbornly reluctant to reveal its secrets. But Sherry is determined to know the full story. In just a few days' time, her extended family will gather for a reunion, and Sherry sets off across the country with her mother, Dumpling, to join them. What Sherry and Dumpling find on their trip is far more important than scenic sites here and there - it is the assorted pieces of their family's past. Pulled together, they reveal a history of amazing survival and abundant joy.

Bernice L. McFadden is the author of eight critically acclaimed novels including the classic Sugar, Gathering of Waters (a New York Times Editors' Choice), and Glorious, which was featured in O: The Oprah Magazine and was a finalist for the NAACP Image Award. She is a two-time Hurston/Wright Legacy Award finalist, as well as the recipient of two fiction honor awards from the BCALA. McFadden lives in Brooklyn, New York.

©2013 Bernie McFadden (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

This is a new favorite!

Where does Nowhere is a Place rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is only my second book...but it is definitely a new favorite.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nowhere is a Place?

Without going into detail, as I would not want to ruin it for others...one of the most memorable moments, and there were many, was the interaction between Lou and her boy. I was taken aback by it!

What does Robin Miles bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The emotion of the characters. conveyed through the subtle unspoken words and pauses. And the accents when words were spoken. She made me feel like I was being spoken to directly...like I was a part of the journey.

If you could rename Nowhere is a Place, what would you call it?

I just wouldn't...to change the title would detract from the essence of the book. The title is amazingly perfect!

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and so much so that I have encouraged my daughters to take a listen. I will listen to it again...definitely!! Bernice McFadden is a fantastic writer and will be added to my collection of favorite authors.

Don't waste the credit

Would you try another book from Bernice McFadden and/or Robin Miles?

Nope, really did not like her style.

Has Nowhere is a Place turned you off from other books in this genre?

The story was choppy

How could the performance have been better?

It was hard to follow

What character would you cut from Nowhere is a Place?

Did not have a favorite.

Any additional comments?

I will not try her again

It's been done.

Would you try another book from Bernice McFadden and/or Robin Miles?

I wouldn't read another book by this author but I'd listen to Robin Miles anytime.

Would you ever listen to anything by Bernice McFadden again?

No.

What about Robin Miles’s performance did you like?

Robin Miles is a true professional. She did a great job. I only got through this book because of her narration.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

A lot of rolling eyes. This story has been done over and over. Everything about it was cliche. Why does every older black woman have to be overweight and sound like she didn't make it past 5th grade? The daughter is a weak character who is almost middle aged and still can't hold her own life together. She cleans rooms in a motel in Mexico. Where did she get the money to rent or buy and SUV? Why is she so hung up and hateful to her mother over one slap she received as a child? I got slapped my my mother when I deserved it. I learned, got over it and moved on. Why does the author need a trip back through generations to slavery to deal with being slapped as a child? The whole story is a collection of one cliche after another. There are no truly unique characters. We've seen all of these characters before and read all of the stories before.
If you like stories of slavery and the South, read The Kitchen House. It's much better.

I didn't care for the book.

What would have made Nowhere is a Place better?

The story was just not for me at all. I got to 4-hours and quit the book. I don't know how much further I had to listen on the book but I got as far as I could go. I would have stop listening to the book earlier but I hated to waste my money. There were stories within the main story. I just got going really good on the main story and the main character decides that she wants to write a book so she asked her mother to tell her a story from the family. The next thing that I know I find my self in an American Indian story and it wasn't short. After a while you find your self on the main story and her mother said she'd tell her other stories for her book later on. I wanted to listen to one story and not to something from the 1800's then back to the 2000's. I was then left up in the air about both stories now. When she said she would tell her other stories I clicked off the iPod. I didn't like the main story enough to put up with this back and forth. The main story didn't do a whole lot for me. The other story also didn't do a whole lot for me.

Has Nowhere is a Place turned you off from other books in this genre?

I decided after this book that I was going to pay close attention in the future to any book that I purchase. I didn't pay much for this book but what I did spend for this book could have been placed with other money to buy a better book.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't think of one that I really liked.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Bordom

Any additional comments?

The narrator of this book was very good even though I didn't like the book. I would recommend this narrator to anyone.

Salacious and Degrading to the Human Spirit

While an understanding of the social and cultural problems that lead to incest and abuse may be a necessary study to help victims of abuse, I do not read novels to be assaulted by the sexual perversities of characters in the name of story-telling.
This is such a disturbing and unhappy story, I could not even finish reading it. That the writer takes pleasure in a pornographic explanation of vile actions is clear and sad. Not all stories need to be heard. Certainly not in the name of entertainment, which is the reason I choose to read novels.
Perhaps a rating guide for books is in order. I do not view R-rated movies for much the same reason. Why would I choose to 'associate' with these type of people when I would not choose to be in their company? Foul-mouthed and amoral people are not my cup of tea.
A need to wash, mentally especially, is the immediate reaction to this type of read.

Worst fiction I've endured in memory

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who has never read The Color Purple and is looking for a creepy, meandering tale of woe might enjoy this book.

Has Nowhere is a Place turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

What three words best describe Robin Miles’s performance?

Fine

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Irritation

I did not like this book.

The beginning of this book was sketchy--what did Sheri and the piano player's vignette or her affair with the umbrella guy have to do with the rest of the piece. I was completely thrown off by this side trip, and struggled to make sense of it throughout the rest of the nine hours. It wasn't made clear that a historical timeline of this woman's family was unveiling through the trip, and I did not figure that out until much later. I was glad when it was over, I am also glad it was on sale and I did not waste a credit on it.

like an abstract prose

What disappointed you about Nowhere is a Place?

like an abstract prose

What was most disappointing about Bernice McFadden’s story?

The summary seemed like the perfect story to listen too....BUT, You have to be in the mood for the 'flight of ideas'/disjointed way the story unfolds. I personally feel author is 'over reaching' to be artistic...to point of loosing reader/listener altogether. I listened for about an hour and felt ungrounded and lost in story line. I suppose it is just dependent on the type of story telling that appeals to you. This did not appeal to me at all.