Ain't No Sunshine [Kindle Edition]

Leslie DuBois (Author)

Book Description

Updated Version 8/12/2011
Includes Reading Group Questions

Warning:
This book tackles difficult subjects. The views and decisions of the characters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author.

Though it is against the law in 1960s Virginia, Stephen Phillips wants to marry his colored neighbor, Ruthie. Growing up in a physically abusive home, his love for Ruthie was the only thing that helped him survive. Instead of giving in to social and family prejudice, Stephen decides to fight for love. And it’s a fight that could lead to murder. Racism and revenge darken this psychological drama set against the backdrop of the segregated South.

Product Details

• File Size: 435 KB
• Print Length: 218 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1453772642
• Publisher: Little Prince Publishing (August 21, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00408AYJU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,599 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #41 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > United States > African American > Historical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whoa.. I didn't see that coming... April 24, 2011

By Sonia VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

This one left me reeling... It has a lot in its favor. This is one of those books that I found myself asking, "Why is it self pubbed? This is good stuff..."

First of all, even though the narrator is male, I loved his voice. I loved the way he showed his story, not told it. He drew me in, had my sympathizing, and wondering what was going to happen to him next. Second, I could not for the life of me figure out what was going to happen. Just when I thought I had the entire story figured out... it went a totally different path.

The narrator is Stephen, the time is the 1970s. He has been picked up by the police and is being interrogated about the death of his father and why he and Ruthie, an African American girl, are running from the law. Shephen sits there and tells his and Ruthie's story and what a story!!

Stephen's dad is a reverend who is one man in public and an abusive man at home... "It made me sick the way people fawned over him like he was heaven incarnate. He fooled everyone into thinking he was just simply angelic. In public, his light brown eyes would glisten and gleam with kindness and sincerity, but at home, I was sure those eyes were from Satan himself."

Stephen seeks comfort from the abuse at home with his neighbor, Ruthie. He grows up with Ruthie and falls in love with her.. Despite their difference in skin color, he wants to marry her... but it seems his dad has something to say about that.

The dad winds up dead... family secrets are revealed and they are shocking... and Stephen and Ruthie end up on the run. Are they able to be together? Are they arrested? I'm not saying.

A shocker of a book and a quick read. The author doesn't overburden it with unnecessary details to make it a door stopper.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised May 30, 2011

By A. noble

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Like many of you I tend to be an impulse buyer for inexpensive books,especially when it has a lot of good ratings. After reading a sample I downloaded it, but didn't read it for awhile. I vowed to not buy anything else for the rest of the month until I read a few things languishing on my kindle. So why did I open this at 3 a.m.? Big mistake.

Many have already summarized the short novel, so I won't go there. While reading there were a few things I guessed along the way, but no way in hades did I see the ending coming. That's all I'll say about that.

The story was poignant and well written, and I felt sympathetic towards both of the main characters. It was great reading a story set in the time period (1960's) and I think she captured it. I don't give many 5 star reviews, but when I finally slipped under the covers as the sky lightened I was still thinking about this story.

Thanks for a great read. I highly recommend this story of young love and what one would do to hold on to it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Did not enjoy it w/spoilers April 3, 2012

By Lady ReadsaLot

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Okay, to begin with, the description did not in any way, shape, or form give an accurate reflection of where this book was going to go.

**spoiler alert**
I was interested in a book that would give a fair representation of interracial relationships in a southern state during a pivotal time in the Civil Rights movement. Having read another book by this author set earlier in the century I was comfortable that she would do a fair and accurate job of this. Instead I was "treated" to a man who should have been in prison rather than leading a congregation, an incestuous relationship worthy of VC Andrews, and a "twist" at the end that did not make any of it right. Rather than make this a book about overcoming the prejudice surrounding an interracial love match, the author seems to be asking us to overcome our prejudices to incestuous couples as long as they are "in love." This relationship starting at such a young age did not make it better.

The whole story was unbelievable and horrifying on so many levels, from the beatings given out by the father that should have killed a man much less a young boy, to the crazy mom who ignored it all, to the aforementioned incest that raised the "ewww" factor to new levels.

More About the Author

Leslie DuBois lives in Charleston, SC with her husband and two children. She also writes under the name Sybil Nelson.