Breathing Room [Hardcover]

Patricia Elam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2001

In her dazzling debut novel, award-winning author Patricia Elam takes us into the lives of two completely different women whose friendship has helped them weather just about everything. But now they're at a crossroads where understanding may not be enough -- a place where they must risk it all to rediscover what they cherish most.

Photographer Norma Simmons-Greer has a loving husband, a lively young son, and an upper-middle-class lifestyle. Probation officer Moxie Dilliard is as dedicated to her ideals as she is to her talented teenage daughter, Zadi. Best friends after meeting in college, Norma and Moxie are each other's reality check and reassurance.

But suddenly the bond between them begins to unravel in unexpected ways. Anguished over the loss of her second child and her husband's recent withdrawal, Norma takes refuge in a complex love affair that puts her at odds with Moxie -- and with herself. Haunted by her beloved mother's inspiring yet disturbing emotional legacy, Moxie struggles to understand her friend, while her own refusal to compromise threatens to shatter her relationship with Zadi. And a devastating crisis will challenge both women to face the hardest of truths.

With insight, humor, and heartbreaking immediacy, Patricia Elam presents a beautifully written portrait of two unforgettable women, and the teenager they both cherish, as they negotiate the ever-shifting terrain of friendship and identity. A wise, tender novel of what love can and cannot survive, "Breathing Room" is also an exploration of how the past can at once inspire and limit us, and of the pain -- and promise -- that accompany us on the journey we all share.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The evolving relationship between two African-American women forms the centerpiece of this spirited, fluidly written debut novel set in contemporary Washington, D.C. Norma Simmons-Greer and Moxie Dillard have been friends since student days at Howard University. When the stress of being a good mother is exacerbated by the emotional withdrawal of her husband, Lawrence, Norma seeks comfort in her photography studio, where she meets and begins an affair with a white professor. Divorced Moxie, meanwhile, is raising her teenage daughter, Zadi, with the same zeal she puts into her work as a probation officer for adolescents. She is firm on discipline, and vocally supports black issues at the predominantly white private school where Zadi's father sends the girl. When Moxie learns of Norma's interracial affair, she is deeply offended and the women become estranged. The Moxie/Norma story line, while absorbing, is eclipsed by Zadi's endearingly straight-up diary entries. Obsessed by her maturing body, auditioning for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and trying not to be the last of her girlfriends left on the "V" (virgin) train, Zadi steals the show as a teen straddling the privileged world of her white schoolmates and the wanna-be thug lifestyle of her secret boyfriend, Octavius, who is one of Moxie's clients. (Elam thanks several young adults from a high school writing program for contributing to Zadi's voice.) The sensitive handling of volatile topics (interracial affairs, teen drug use and dealing, and the loss of virginity) add immediacy to what is an affecting story of sisterhood. Agent, Molly Friedrich. (Jan. 9)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Elam's compassionate and genuine story revolves around the relationships of three African American females. Moxi is a divorced, single parent, striving to raise her daughter, Zadi. Zadi is a high-school student, struggling with adolescent peer pressure. And Norma, Moxi's best friend, is a photographer who is working through a difficult time with both her son and her husband. These Washington, D.C., natives not only learn the importance of having each other in their lives but, more importantly, how empty life is without their relationships. Each character seeks solace and space to reconcile past mistakes and negotiate current situations, all the while preparing for a pleasant and harmonious future. These females struggle with the innocence of being and loving a child, the uncertainty and burden of motherhood, the compromise of friendship, and the power of intimacy. A well-done relationship tale. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Atria (January 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671028421
• ISBN-13: 978-0671028428
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,882,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and stunning debut, December 27, 2000

By 

Cydney Rax "rmn1994" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breathing Room (Hardcover)

Breathing Room by Patricia Elam explores the friendship between two women and how they cope with the tumultuous challenges in their lives. The prose here is refreshing, lyrical, and resonates with warm, candidness, and wisdom. You will be moved by the vibrancy of the characters, especially the teenaged daughter Zadi whose voice springs from the pages of this unforgettable debut. If you're into comparisons, think Terry McMillan combined with Patty Rice and you've got yourself an engaging and realistic read that chronicles the complex lives of contemporary African American women.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Like 4.5 stars but Definitely Mesmerizing, Captivating!, May 3, 2001

By 

Yasmin Coleman (PENNSYLVANIA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Breathing Room (Hardcover)

Breathing Room,Patricia's Elam's debut novel delves into family & secrets, friendship & strife, redemption & forgiveness, tragic & hope.

Breathing Room is an emotionally rich and powerfully written story about two middle-age, middle income, professional women coming to terms with self and struggling with the consequences of their actions. Norma & Moxie have been friends since college and have always been there for one another no matter the circumstances. Although parenthood, marriage and professional careers might sometimes be more than they can bare, their love and respect for each other has always weathered the storm, until Norma decides to stray and embark on an illicit path. Moxie, full of self-pride and self-righteousness can't seem to control her judgement or impression of others when they dare to be different from her. As a result, she finds herself at odds with best friend, Norma, as well as, her teenage daughter, Zadi.

Breathing Room is a story that grows on you quickly as you experience the sub-plots and twist and turns. The beginning was a little slow until I reached a comfort zone with Ms. Elam's writing style; however, the more I read the more engrossed and caught up I became. I liked that Breathing Room captured the essence of so many middle-aged, middle-income, professional women who're striving to do it all but sometimes fall short. One of Ms. Elam's greatest strength and sometimes weakness was the character development; at times I did not feel the main characters were created equally. While Moxie often got on my nerves, as I thought she took everything to the extreme, I felt like I personally knew her and that she was a sista I could kick it with. On the other hand, after I finished the book, I didn't quite feel that I really knew who Norma was. I knew her professionally and I knew her as a wife...sort of...but I didn't understand her feelings as a mother. I didn't really know much about her earlier background or her emotional makeup. I really wanted to know more about her childhood. I wanted to know what made her tick. Instead, I walked away slightly disappointed and not completely satisfied. Now the character who really captured my heart...and I felt should have been a main character...was Moxie's daughter, Zadi. I loved living vicariously through her via her sistagirl diary.

Breathing Room sometimes appears to be hard to follow and unfocused, however, real life is often like this and Ms. Elam's does an outstanding job of capturing what women in this target segment (i.e. the mature AA female) often go through. The storyline is a refreshing change of pace and will capture your attention. I finished the book in one sitting and felt like I had lost my best friends when I got to the end. Breathing Room made me think and wonder what I would do if I were in Moxie, Norma or Zadi's shoes. I felt Breathing Room...I lived Breathing Room...and I felt like I had lost my best friends when I got to the end. I really enjoyed Ms. Elam's debut novel and she's a writer that I hope will be around for a long time to come.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful Must Read for 2001, January 25, 2001

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Breathing Room (Hardcover)

Have you ever just held on to the last page of a book cause you did not want it to end. Well when you pick up your copy of Breathing Room, you will feel this way. In the debut novel by Patricia Elam, she explores not only the importance of friendship, but unresolved grief and coming of age.Her writing is lyrical and flows very smoothly throughout the book. She is descriptive enough for you to feel a part of the story. You will meet Moxie, the very afro-centric probation officer. Norma the photographer who is having problems in her marriage. Then there is Zadi, Moxie's teenage daughter. You get to see her coming of age in her journal. These 3 women make for very interesting reading. You will not want to put this book down!!