Caught Up in the Rapture: A Novel [Hardcover]

Sheneska Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 1996

In this impressive debut, 25-year-old Sheneska Jackson transports readers to South Central L.A. in a gritty, glamorous, and very real love story. Jazmine's ready to step out from under the influence of her preacher father, get discovered, and have a little fun with her outgoing friend Dakota, with whom she shares her righteous anger at men, girlfriend to girlfriend. "A dazzling kickoff novel".--Rita Mae Brown.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two young African Americans hoping for pop-music stardom become lovers-and pawns in a record-company power struggle-in this earnest debut. Jazmine Deems, a 26-year-old UCLA student anxious to escape her father's strict household, envies the freedom enjoyed by her best friend, Dakota, who introduces her to popular music, current fashion and sexy guys. Life hasn't been as smooth for Xavier Honor, aka X-Man, whose "family" consists of two street buddies and who hopes to rap his way out of the 'hood. X-Man and Jazmine meet at a party thrown by Black Tie Records, the company where producer Bobby Strong, having stumbled during his climb to the top, is looking over his shoulder at young producer Kirk Walker. Jazmine signs with Black Tie after Dakota makes a secret sacrifice on her behalf; X-Man also gains a contract. The two fall in love, while Bobby's world begins to crumble under pressure from his escalating drug use and bad judgment. On the eve of X-Man's and Jazmine's respective album debuts, a secret from X-Man's past becomes public, catalyzing a quick series of violent incidents. As X-Man and Jazmine narrate in alternating first-person voices, Jackson portrays the frailties and frustrations of South-Central L.A.'s residents with more compassion than subtlety. Her effort to tell a Cinderella story while retaining an attitude of hip-hop street credibility results in some awkwardness, but also in an engaging and up-to-date sudser.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA?A story with believable characters, told in an easy-to-read, fast-paced style. Most of the people living in South Central Los Angeles can't escape the pull of the streets. Jazmine Deems isn't one of them. She is smart, ambitious, can sing like an angel, and has big dreams. Havier, a would-be gangsta-rapper better known as the X-Man, doesn't have Jazz's expectations. He figures he'll be hanging with his homeboys for life. When both are discovered by Black Tie Records, they are drawn together, determined to sing their way to stardom. However, they soon find that the road to success, and to happiness, is a lot longer and harder than either of them imagined. Jackson offers an insightful look at the street life, loyalty, and ties of the hood. Peppered with profanity that realistically reflects the characters' speech, this book is a bold, often humorous tale of two young people persevering against the odds, and the potential in everyone to rise above their beginnings, carve out a future, and fulfill their dreams.?Anita B. Short, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (May 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684814870
• ISBN-13: 978-0684814872
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,228,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This boook was written for me and my man!!!, March 7, 2001

By 

"carmelsensation5683" (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caught Up in the Rapture: A Novel (Paperback)

The book was really just a retake of my life. It was like everything I was facing in life was going on in this book. I enjoy singing and my boyfrind enjoys rapping. We both want to make it big just as well as Jazz and X-Man wanted to. I think anyone who enjoys reading love stories will enjoy this book, it's a great book and I promise you will enjoy. I know you will love it. I have to give Shaneska a pat on the back because she hit the nail on the head and knew exactly what she was writing when she wrote this book. You go Shaneska and I encourage all of you to pick up a copy of this book. one luv carmel

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book was good, April 30, 2004

By 

Nitajo Alder "artistic genius_1" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Caught Up in the Rapture: A Novel (Paperback)

I read this book about a while back but the only thing about this authour is that her books start off slow, but once you get into it, it's non stop action AND DRAMA this book was so good, the only thing though is that the ending left me hanging, I felt I needed to know more. But this is a good read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely LOVED it!, September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Caught Up in the Rapture: A Novel (Paperback)

I consider myself a big fan of Sheneska Jackson's work (I've read Blessings and Lil Mama's Rules), but I must say that Caught Up in the Rapture, "caught me" the most. I love realistic love stories about African-American people and Ms. Jackson explored this relationship many ways. She made it so realistic that I was able to put myself in Jazz's place... I cried when she cried and laughed when she laughed. Ms. Jackson portrayed what true love can give you, but she also showed you how things can go wrong as in any other relationship. I truly respect Ms. Jackson as a writer and can not WAIT until her next novel.