Big Girls Don't Cry [Paperback]

Connie Briscoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1997

"[An] empathetic portrait of a modern woman wrestling with issues of love, work, and family obligations."           --Publishers Weekly                      

Born into a comfortable Washington, D.C., home, Naomi Jefferson leads a life that is only occasionally marred by racism. As a teenager in the 1960s, her biggest concern centers around virginity. But all that changes when her older brother, Joshua--who seems destined for greatness--is killed in a tragic car accident on his way to a civil rights demonstration. Now the rift between black and white America becomes much too personal, and Naomi embarks on a journey to honor her brother's legacy--and to find herself.                      

This brilliant new novel, from the bestselling author of Sisters & Lovers, traces three decades in the life of a woman readers will not soon forget, as she searches for love and purpose in a harsh often unforgiving world.                      

"Contains an infectious hope and optimism."        
--Los Angeles Times

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One black woman's journey to fulfillment is the subject of Briscoe's new novel. As in Sisters and Lovers, social issues play a large role in her heroine's story. In Washington, D.C., in the early 1960s, Naomi Jefferson agonizes over middle-class teenage concerns until her older brother, Joshua, a college student agitated about racism, dies under suspicious circumstances. A few years later, after some romantic disappointments and rough times in college in Atlanta, a chastened Naomi returns to her parents' home and finds work in a city councilman's office, where dim prospects for advancement?and an unhappy, drug-addled relationship?drive her back to school. Eventually, she joins a large consulting firm and gets engaged to architect Marshall Underwood. Then her plans are disrupted not only by the denial of a promotion but also by the sudden appearance of an unruly teenager claiming to be Joshua's son. Other complications ensue, but a happy ending for Naomi is never in doubt. Briscoe's pacing is brisk, and the plot touches on a range of key social issues: civil rights, affirmative action and intragroup prejudice. Although the dialogue is sometimes self-conscious, and Briscoe lacks Terry McMillan's brash zest, her empathetic portrait of a modern woman wrestling with issues of love, work and family obligations should add to her popularity as a chronicler of contemporary African American life. $150,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

When we meet Naomi, she is a typical 11-year-old with her head buried in a Nancy Drew mystery. But this is no fairy tale. Naomi grows up at a time when blacks are still turned away from fine restaurants and Martin Luther King is alive. Journalist Briscoe (Sisters and Lovers, LJ 4/1/94) skillfully tells the convincing and passionate story of Naomi's life with her parents, who are mildly concerned with Civil Rights issues, and her brother, Joshua, who becomes a rights activist at college. Naomi is still a teenager when King is murdered, and when Joshua dies in a car accident on his way to a Civil Rights rally, and her life is changed forever. Naomi is determined to follow in Joshua's footsteps but is disillusioned with her white-dominated college and further loses her grip on life when a major romance sours. As a dropout, she comes close to drug addiction, but Briscoe doesn't bring doom. Eventually, Naomi returns to college. Readers, especially women, will nod in recognition as brilliant and successful analyst Naomi tires of kicking against the glass ceiling, leaves her job, and starts her own business. This believable and wonderfully written novel is highly recommended for all fiction collections.?Corinne Nelson, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345413628
• ISBN-13: 978-0345413628
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,458,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fiction:
--Money Can't Buy Love (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette)
--Sisters and Husbands (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette)
--Can't Get Enough (Doubleday)
--PG County (Doubleday)
--A Long Way From Home (HarperCollins)
--Big Girls Don't Cry (HarperCollins)
--Sisters and Lovers (HarperCollins)

Nonfiction:
Jewels: 50 Phenomenal Black Women Over 50

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love and purpose............................................, April 16, 2005

By 

Nardsbaby "Connoisseur of the written word™" (Westside Chi-town, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Big Girls Don't Cry (Paperback)

Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.

"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.

This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.

In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.

As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?

Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Adolescence to Adult.... the story of a woman., June 13, 2002

By 

M. J Pronio (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Girls Don't Cry (Library Binding)

This book was great because it spanned a young woman's life... from young frienship, puberty, sexual awakening, parental struggle, independence, love, hurt, and all of those things over again.

Naomi is a 13 year old girl who is from a middle-class black family from Washington, D.C. Her parents are educated and articulate, but used to living the lives of people who are supressed. Her brother Joshua, decides to strike out against the white man... this is during our nations time of extreme strife - late 60's- early 70's. He is smart, supportive and determined to make a difference.

Meanwhile, Naomi is concerned with hanging out with the 'priveleged ones' who live on what is called the 'gold coast' of Washington D.C. neighborhoods. She is also concerned about dating and then eventually the big question of 'doing it' even though her Mama has warned her against 'letting a boy touch her'... it could ruin her life.

The book travels from Naomi's pre-pubescent life to college to early adult-hood, to mature woman... all the while exploring what all young women go through.

Wonderful story... a can't miss !

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 100% inspiration, January 2, 2002

By 

wendy (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Girls Don't Cry (Paperback)

If you've ever felt confused, depressed, afraid to conquer or lack the determination to move ahead with your goals... this book is for you. After reading this book I found the courage to proceed with a lot of my life goals. I have found a new determination and I am confident I will succeed.
Every emotion that Naomi describes, the reader will also experience this emotional rollercoaster. Not only is the book an inspiration but so is the author, Mrs Connie Briscoe. Read about her life story and you will surely find that there are no reasons why you too can not succeed.