Customer Reviews

Dead Above Ground

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of those books that makes you go "Hum"! I found the discussion of 1940's life in New Orleans very fascinating. However, that which made the book incredibly intriguing was the portrayal of 3 strong African American women who were all fighting the same demon but in very different ways and utilizing very different techniques. Coupled with that is a little bit of a Stephen King mentality and flair which I thought brought a certain level of mystique, fascination and drama. This novel brought back scenes from the novel "Carrie". Although there were some areas that could have used a little more exploration, all in all, I thought this was one of the most fascinating novels I have read in quite some time. Good read and worth the price of a hardcover novel.

This book was awesome. It was set during the 1940's in New Orleans and took me back to that place and time barring the fact that I was born in the 1970's in Brooklyn, New York and have only visited New Orleans once.

I did not want to put this novel down because it stimulated me to continue reading all throughout. It was enthralling, evoking and well put together. I highly recommend that if you are a true avid reader you will appreciate all that this great novel has to offer.

Lita Du Champ was a strong young woman who fiercely believed in the ties that bind a family together. Her mother Helen made mistakes in the past and tried to protect her family from an ill fate while her oldest daughter Adele was a free spirit and lived for the moment. The men lacked compassion and were thoughtless to a great extent, but to be expected in those days and sadly still very reflective in today's society. Overall it was a splendid read.

Dead Above Ground is definitely a keeper and a must read. This novel deserves a resurgence. I don't think that it received all the praise that it should have in the past!!!

I wouldn't categorize this story as mystery although there were some elements of suspense. Mr. Tervalon paints a look in slow motion in an almost surreal manner of life as it was in 1940s New Orleans. The DuChamps are by no means the perfect family but in fact the dysfunction among them is the root of the story. Some reviewers have criticized the switch from first person to third, but this Faulkeneresque technique was most effective in recalling the past in order to comprehend what is going on in the present. The author also does not shy away from the issues affecting Creoles of Color in that era-- the ever present reality of living in two worlds, chastised on one hand for "looking white" and looked down upon for not being white. He even shows Lita getting on a Jim Crow bus, sitting in the white section, enjoying her sense of entitlement her appearance affords enabling her to "passe blanc". At the same time Lita expresses the great pride passed on to her in being proud of being black. For those who want to get a look into the life of the culture of New Orleans this is a good read along with Robert Skinner's mystery series which include "Skin Deep, Blood Red" and "Cat-Eyed Trouble".

I had never before heard of Jervey Tervalon before reading this book and I must say that I was impressed. From the first line of this book, I was captivated with the story of the Du Champs. Adele, married but still looking, fall into the hands of Lucien Fare who has the devils good looks and a history of murdering black women. Little does she know, he has some unfinished business for her and her mother Helen Du Champ, who saved one of his prostitutes several years earlier. This story of murder, love, and hate will not let you put the book down. I took it everywhere and I am about to look for the sequel, LITA.

This book had all of the right elements, tragedy, lust, anger, everything that one needs for a thrilling piece of fiction.

Lita DuChamp is a woman who basically lives in the shadow of her sister Adele, who is a spolied, selfish character who you really cannot like no matter how you try to see her situation. Their mother, Helen, let's their father abuse her to no end, and adores Adele, fearing Adele's choice of a lover, Lucien. Lucien is straight up "no good for nobody" as the old folk's say.

There are more problems and situations in this book, told from Lita's point of view. I recommend this book for an easy afternoon read.

Having not read Jervey Tervalon before, I did not know what I was missing. From the first word to the last, I was swept into the life of a colored family in New Orleans in the 1940's. It was a straight through read, as the characters are fascinating, the writing perfection, the drama stimulating, the underbelly of New Orleans, frightening but enticing. I am very impressed with this author's brilliant style of prose; captivating, descriptive and poetic. I will be ordering more of Mr. Tervalon's books if this book is an indicator of his prowess. Excellent read!!

I guess i had a misconception that this book was about the class system of New Orleans blacks. I soon found out differently.This story revolves around Lita, the daugher of Mama and Papa DuChamp. She is running things and taking care of everyone and she is getting married. Around this time, her mother is disowning her older sister Adele because of the man (Lucien) she chooses to be with. Mama DuChamp has to explain to Lita why she is so against this relationship. She tells Lita a story about Adele that explains her actions and reactions. It also explains the actions of Lucien. Now, If I explain I would give it all away, so you will have to read the book. There are other interesting characters such as Aunt Dot and Ruby. While I did not see this book as being an exciting mystery ride, it was intriguing in some places.

I was interested in the book for two reasons; I have enjoyed Jervey Tervalon's previous works and I like stories about New Orleans culture. I do not think that this is Mr. Tervalon's best work as I thought some of the characters could have been developed a little more. It seems like a piece of family history where all the facts were not known & you have a million questions to ask to understand the full picture. But, because it was set in New Orleans, I rated the book higher than if the story took place someplace less. It was good airplane read.

This book was a very fast read, and I could not put it down for anything. I read this book in a day, and I would recommend it to anyone who has never read Jervey Tervalon's books. I am definitely going to read the sequel.

From the moment I started reading I couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed it so much to the point where I'm getting ready to order the sequel.