Cup Of Love: A Novel [Paperback]

Franklin White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2001

White's debut Fed Up With the Fanny brought us Kahlil, the BMW (Black Man Working)- a man who must reckon with the women in his life. White reveals that he wrote the novel, which offers a rare view of contemporary relationships from the male perspective, because "it's time to allow males, especially black males, to let the world know we're not all dogs". Cup of Love introduces Vance, a young man who starts out a dog, but finally reforms- only to find out that true love doesn't always run smoothly. Mix in a surprise inheritance, a political campaign, and a shady real estate deal, and the ingredients are set for an urban drama that is fresh, funny and emotionally satisfying- certain to leave readers clamouring for more from this talented author.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Insipid characters and contrived plot devices plague White's weak second novel (after Fed Up with the Fanny). Set in Columbus, Ohio, it follows the adventures of two African-American best friends in their 30s, Vance and Ethan, and their respective love interests, Artise and Tassha. Both men have problems with fidelityAVance has been caught cheating on Artise three times in a decade, and Ethan left Tassha immediately after proposing to her in order to focus his romantic attentions on less challenging targets, WWKs ("women with kids"). When Vance is deeded money and property by an older, kindly benefactor, he decides to turn his life around by proposing marriage to the pregnant Artise and using his windfall to open an African-American cultural museum in downtown Columbus. This plan puts him at odds with rich, corrupt developer Ronald Tenner, who wants to use the same spot to open a for-profit prison. Vance struggles with his new life revolve around familiar issues: Can he continue to be worthy of Artise's renewed trust? Can he convince Ethan to give up his promiscuous behavior? In the book's simple worldview, the main characters don't evolve or develop; instead, spiritual revelations change them into cardboard cutouts mouthing religious platitudes. By employing this deus ex machina technique, White leaves little room for surprise; it's clear from beginning to end that good deeds will be rewarded, and bad ones punished. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A heavy dose of cheerleading for God from a writer often considered a presenter of role models for African-Americans (Fed Up With the Fanny, 1998). As characters, the men here are strong types with a vulnerable sex drive that often gets them into places they dont belong; the women are the moral center of the tale and require regular sexual maintenance. She had explained over the phone to Ethan that it was time for maintenancethe legendary supreme oil change, complete with filter and pressure check, says one of them (the automotive metaphor captures the level of imagination and originality here). Vance, the storys hero, has cheated on Artise, his girl of eight years, once too often, so that, just when he comes into a huge gift of money, Artise is shy about marriage. Then Vance hears God, and with the cash and his efforts to win Artises trust, hes marriageable. Vances best friend Ethan, recently returned to Columbus, Ohio, gads about town in the usual ways until God literally speaks to him and tells him to apologize to Tassha for having left her waiting at the altar. Ethanhired by Vance to help with a museum hes planningnow has the cash and God, and he and Tassha are restored. Meanwhile, Artise is pregnant with Vances child, and while working out issues with her mother, agrees to marry the babys father. The two certify their Christian rectitude by marrying on the front lawn of Vances new, sumptuous, five-acre, seven-bedroom estate. The bad guys lose in the end, and all who love God come out ahead financially and with true love to boot. Such predictability, it seems, is in keeping with a narrative aim of providing positive role models. Socially and culturally, Whites morality play may be a useful intervention, but as a novel its little more than baling wire and string. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (February 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684865653
• ISBN-13: 978-0684865652
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,198,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Sugars Please, November 22, 1999

By 

Antonio Hurt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cup of Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

Deliverance is joy. This is an excellent book with lessons of love woven into the stories of all the main characters. God prevails. God is still in the miracle working business. As you are engulfed into the pages of this novel, you will see the work of the devil defeated. If you are familiar with the work of Franklin White, you will agree that this is a great work that will leave you speechless and overjoyed.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritually Moving..., October 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Brideport, Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cup of Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

Franklin White has done it again!! A Cup of Love is absolutely moving! The way he mixed spiritual and "worldly" issues combined in this book could make a someone think twice. Once I started reading Cup of Love, I started feeling myself within the book. The issues between Vance and Artise is something I'm sure all can relate too. Oh, but let's not forget about Ethan. We all know someone like him. I didn't like his character too much in the beginning but when those babies died, I really felt for him. Even the issue's between Artise and her Mother was real. I think this book is especially important because it also leaves a spritual impact on those who believe. The bible verses, prayer quotes all kept us on our toes. I give all praise for Franklin White because not many authors can "flip" their writing styles like that. (compared to Fed Up With The Fanny.) I can't wait to see what he has lined up next...

Excellent...!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to see what's next!, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cup of Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

WHAT A WONDERFUL READ! Franklin White in his novel took me back to so many conversations I've had with my girlfriends and situations we've all been through at one time or another. Mother/daughter, best friends and even trying to understand anothers sexual orientation without being disrespectful. The male characters commitment to GOD was also very refreshing and let me see how men fight within themselves to do the right thing by their mate. Cup of Love has it all- but the most surprising them to me is, I didn't know about Franklin's ability in writing passionate, relatable, thought provoking poetry. I see great things ahead for this author and highly recommend this book.