Customer Reviews

Among Others: A Novel

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Initially, I loved Among Others and looked forward to the development of the story. Unfortunately, early on, the storyline changed its course and my interest in it diminished significantly. Prior to the death of her father, Della (the main character) appeared to be a fairly typical young black woman growing up in the 60s. We understood her thoughts, behaviors and motivations. After the death of her father, all of that changed. Suddenly, we had no idea where Della was coming from. Several times I found myself becoming so frustrated with her ridiculous behavior that i wanted to put the book down. Why was she constantly letting men (first Gregory, then Sam, then Ben, and then the cycle repeated itself)control her, why was she so inferior to other women? why didnt she get her own apartment? why was she unable to get herself together? were we to believe that all of that was related to the death of her father? if so, the author never made it clear how his death could have stripped Della of every ounce of self-sufficiency and self-esteem she had. I would have liked the book more had the characters had more depth but aside from being incredibly irritating, none of them evoked any feelings from the reader. Despite the interesting storyline, the characters were one dimensional (what made Sam/Gregory/Claudia/Ruby/Ebony act as they did? The author never let us know) and the story was flat. A huge disappointment.

In the tradition of talented African American, West Indian, Black!! writers, Lois weaves poetry, parable smoothly ritually and rhythmically. Some parts will shock, make you laugh out loud and THINK. A truly honest book that makes you think. I read it in two days, when I wasn't reading it, I was wondering what the characters were doing. Then I realized I didn't really know these people!! This is how 3 dimensional her characters are. I love the language. Raw, but not profane. As good as this book was, I see a huge potential for growth. And who ever did that heavenly cover... beautiful!!

This is the type of story that sinks into your every waking thought. Della'a story is all of our stories from falling in love,falling out of love, and wishing love had never knocked on the door in the first place. Lois Griffith puts the reader in Della's mind and place. You're not just watching the story unfold, you actually feel you're standing in Della's shoes when she feels jealousy for Sam's ex, and past life, or when she felt betrayed by her friend, Nadine. Over and over again I felt like Della's story was my own. I read it in one rainy day weekend. I laughed and I cried and I wished there was more.

This novel is a great rainy day read. It made me laugh, cry and question many things about my own realities. I got a little lost towards the end when Ben entered the picture. The novel took a turn here and seemed to be on a path to nowhere. Della's car accident also seemed to take up unnecissary space... time lost where I am wanting to know what's really up with Sam and Claudia? Della, Della, where are you? The same place her mother was. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Griffith has made an impressive debut. Her work should definitely be showcased more, but in this age of commercial writing what can we do? Read more than the commercial mess that surrounds us. What made me want to read among others was the love that existed between Della and Gregory. Really the story is Della and Gregory's, but Griffith doesn't play that up enough.Instead the story becomes other characters. While all of the other character's are entertaining, they do little to make Della more self-aware. It would be okay if Griffith set us up for this in the beginning, but she doesn't. The thing that she does do with Della is she shows how she becomes the woman that her mother is- a woman who places to much emphasis on the males in her life and not enough on herself or her daughters.
Griffith could have done more to show the parallel between Della's choice in men and her relationship with her father. That was a major point that got overshadowed due to the social activism which I loved and think that Griffith sets us up for this perfectly with Gregory. Griffith could have fleshed Della and her father more. Nonetheless the social activism also allows Griffith to cast some criticism of the Black Panther and perhaps Black Arts Movement. Kudos for that Griffith. As aforementioned, I really enjoyed the characters but there were some unnecessary ones thatreally dragged the story down and didn't allow it to be as fleshed out so that the reader could get to Della and Gregory. If nothing else,Griffith knows NY and has a serious eye for positively critcizing social activism. Griffith also has a knack for description. Maine really works. Pick this book up, Imma' give it a 4.

Among Others is a story of a young lady coming of age in the turbulent '60s. Della is an African-American (West Indian) college student in the Malcolm-Martin era, experiencing many of tribulations of the civil rights battles up close and personal. Her father and "roommate" were both casualties. I absolutely loved the depth and texture of the characters. Sam, Claudia, and Gregory were people I either felt I already knew or wanted to know better. Lois Griffith is a talented author. Great first work; I look forward to more in the future!

Initially, I loved Among Others and looked forward to the development of the story. Unfortunately, early on, the storyline changed its course and my interest in it diminished significantly. Prior to the death of her father, Della (the main character) appeared to be a fairly typical young black woman growing up in the 60s. We understood her thoughts, behaviors and motivations. After the death of her father, all of that changed. Suddenly, we had no idea where Della was coming from. Several times I found myself becoming so frustrated with her ridiculous behavior that i wanted to put the book down. Why was she constantly letting men (first Gregory, then Sam, then Ben, and then the cycle repeated itself)control her, why was she so inferior to other women? why didnt she get her own apartment? why was she unable to get herself together? were we to believe that all of that was related to the death of her father? if so, the author never made it clear how his death could have stripped Della of every ounce of self-sufficiency and self-esteem she had. I would have liked the book more had the characters had more depth but aside from being incredibly irritating, none of them evoked any feelings from the reader. Despite the interesting storyline, the characters were one dimensional (what made Sam/Gregory/Claudia/Ruby/Ebony act as they did? The author never let us know) and the story was flat. A huge disappointment.