Crossing Over Jordan [Paperback]

Linda Beatrice Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 1996

"A DEEPLY AFFECTING NOVEL about the hidden legacy of slavery--from the waning of the Civil War to the early twenty-first century."
--Essence
Georgia McCloud lives to see emancipation. Her daughter Sadie discovers that, though she might be free, she is powerless to break with a man who abuses her. But at the center of their communal pain is Sadie's intelligent, beautiful, ambitious daughter Story, who wants more from life than she's been led to expect. Her uncompromising desire for safety corrupts Story to her very soul, dooming her to wander an emotional desert, repressed, rigid, enslaved to propriety. Her daughter Hermine must then challenge the lie that life is hardship. But can Hermine finally break the cycle of oppression that has chained the women of her family? Can she alone cross over Jordan?

Reminiscent of the early work of Alice Walker and Gloria Naylor, Crossing Over Jordan deftly explores the themes of the mother-daughter relationship, the emotional scars left by history, the struggle to be authentic in the throes of great personal pain, and the transforming power of love.
"Written with passion, force, and compelling clarity, Crossing Over Jordan is a priceless novel that immerses us--even baptizes us--in the deep waters of our humanity. . . . A must-read that deserves a prominent place among books written by African-American women."
--Gloria Wade-Gayles
Author of Pushed Back to Strength: A Black Woman's Journey
Home
"ENTERTAINING AND ENLIGHTENING."
--Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brown's novel follows the women of one African American family from Reconstruction to the mid-21st century.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA?This novel sings with a sort of haunting clarity and honesty reminiscent of Toni Morrison's Beloved (Knopf, 1987). Crossing Over Jordan explores the inner lives and troubled psyches of four generations of African American women from the immediate postbellum years to the 21st century. Brown weaves the interconnected tales as each generation, trapped by the iron-clad fists of racist and sexist oppression, strives to escape the limitations society imposes. In essence, they attempt to cross over the river Jordan. Having watched her mother become a victim of her father's physical and emotional abuse, Story Temple McCloud remains determined never to allow anyone to get close to her. Most importantly, she wants to construct a world in which opportunities abound and propriety becomes of utmost importance. Trying to adhere to strict middle-class social decorum, she constructs a world full of lies and deceit, one that nearly destroys her daughter. Raised to believe that she was orphaned and that Story is her aunt, Hermine struggles to claim her vision of life and to forgive her mother. The nonlinear narrative structure will challenge YAs; however, they will be rewarded for their efforts. A lyrical, well-crafted book.?Michele L. Simms-Burton, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Copyright 1995 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: 292 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (July 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345402316
• ISBN-13: 978-0345402318
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was the most well-written book I have read recently., January 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Crossing Over Jordan (Paperback)

Although the storyline is somewhat tragic, the storytelling was exceptional, and the theme was clearly communicated across characters and timeperiods. As a psychologist, I thought the author did a fine job of characterizing the psychological impact of slavery and racism on family dynamics across generations.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel To Read Again, April 29, 2011

By 

mikidada - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crossing Over Jordan (Paperback)

I read this novel almost 2 decades ago and I remember how magnificently the storyteller gave the characters life and how the story telling was so engaging. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of lending my book out to someone and it was never returned. I have not been able to find it in book stores, until now. For any reader looking for a novel that covers multiple generations of women, defining their struggle with social issues prevalent during their lifetime and the unshakable spirit that allows each to survive in their own terms this is the read for you. This novel should be on the pre-college American Literature recommended reading list.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, October 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Crossing Over Jordan (Paperback)

I thought this was a good book to read. It gave a lot of insight into the troubles african american women of past generations faced through the life of Story. She was scared to love and be loved. Only through Story's death was her daughter Hermine able to break through her mothers wall and love her.