Black Gold [Paperback]

Anita Richmond Bunkley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995

In a saga of greed, obsession, passion, and revenge, the fates of a beautiful African-American woman and two African-American families become entwined with the discovery of the legendary Mexia oil field. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An operatic story of black landowners and economic hardship set in Texas in the early 1900s.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-This intriguing story is set in Mexia, Texas, on the oil-rich Balcone's fault during the 1920s. Leela Wilder, a beautiful, intelligent orphan, comes to live with her aunt and cousins. She grows up and marries in the midst of an oil fever that creates turmoil in the African American community that she loves. Her husband works himself to death, leaving her to unscramble a twisted family tale, raise a child, save the farm they built, and begin a new life. A fast-paced, romantic novel that is a welcome addition for YA collections.
Linda Vretos, West Springfield High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Signet (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451179730
• ISBN-13: 978-0451179739
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Black and Beautiful..Turly Beautiful!, April 7, 2000

By 

Bonnie B. Walker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Gold (Paperback)

Ms. Bunkley earns several accolades from me for her BLACK GOLD. It was refreshing to see the author develop every character in this story. If I attempted to name them I would have to honestly say everyone of them was equally and vividly depicted. It was as if you saw each character in the flesh or at least knew someone that looked just like that; almost a 3-D effect. Her scene depictions were also almost tangible. The time the author spent in recreating the era was truly appreciated, although I was slightly partial to the inclusion of Baton Rouge.

I think many African-American women could identify on some level with Lela, the Black and Beautiful heroine--Whether it was in the strength derived from a benevolent and custodial grandmother, or in finding and clinging to (whatever) "family" that is there for you when it seems you have no one else, or in being attracted to and/or marrying the wrong man...men, or in making mistakes, or in finding the inner fortitude to go on and overshadow your mistakes and bad choices and lastly by overcoming adversity. I can't say enough about the true Black gold I found or identified with in this book.

I only wish I can give the same weight of praise to the books ability to strike the heart aflame with its love scenes. But that withstanding, I truly enjoyed this historical redention by Ms. Bunkley and found it interesting and worth the reading. I wish some other authors would take as much time with their character development and research, as is evidenced by BLACK GOLD.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Historical Novel, May 5, 2000

By 

MarvelousMarla "MarvyM" (Way down in Dixie) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Gold (Paperback)

I am a big fan of Anita Richmond Bunkley's work. Her attention to detail and character development are first rate.

Black Gold was enthralling because it had the classic elements of family, love, greed and betrayal. Bunkley is a master storyteller and brings this novel full circle with a bitter twist on the heroine's love affair.

I especially appreciated the fact that the heroine, Lela, was not perfect. Although Lela was maniuplative and driven, she was realistic. She was someone I could imagine. I also enjoyed the treatment that Mrs. Bunkley provided for Carey, who I found intriguing.

I've always loved romance novels, but I've moved away from the fluffy beach reads and have embraced the more substantial genre embodied by this novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book!!!!!, April 15, 1999

By 

greenom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Gold (Paperback)

I enjoyed being involved with the characters. Bunkley really draws her readers in the stories. This book was well written with the show of a developed style. The author manages to keep your interest throughout the book.

Good Story!!!!