Customer Reviews

Dream in Color: A Novel (Strivers Row)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This novel is about a couple in a loveless marriage where the wife does something a bit different than the typical. Instead of literally cheating, she does so within the fantasies of her own mind. These fantasies/day dreams become her outlet from a marriage to a man that has never loved her and only married her because she had given birth to their child. Her husband treats her cold and indifferent and is borderline abusive. Not to mention the fact that she is positive that he's cheating.

Two different love stories with totally different twist develop within her mind. The stories within the story were very good. And by the end of the novel I was very proud of Victoria {the lead character}. With the aid of her two fantasy lovers she was able to gain the strength she needed, within herself to leave the loveless marriage.

Dream in Color was a slightly different novel for me. DJ is a very talented writer and I was very impress with her first novel. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because in a romance novel I like a bit more detail in the sex scene's... That did not happen here.

DJ!!!I NEED A LITTLE MORE SEX IN THE SEX SCENE'S HON....

The idea of basing a novel off of dreams is indeed different. I was caught off guard initially because I did not realize when the character started dreaming. My bookclub read this book and as a former resident of Indianapolis I wanted to be supportive of Ms. Johnson. The questions for discussion in the back were hepful for my bookclub. I did not care for the style in which it was written but I think she is a good writer.

I met Ms. Johnson at her book signing in Indianapolis. She was such a nice woman that I rushed home to read the novel. I read through the entire novel in two days because I couldn't put it down. Ms. Johnson's novel brought me to near tears. I remember all too well what it was like to make love to a husband and feel nothing. I remember wishing, dreaming I was someplace else. I read Karen Miller's comment on the back of the novel that said it is a novel you will read over again. That is true. I find myself reading certain parts over again because they were just so true. I can not believe other women felt the way I did. Ms. Johnson's novel captured those feelings perfectly. Good job Ms. Johnson. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Sometimes in order to deal with reality we have to escape via our daydreams and those that occur when we're sleeping. Victoria Chandler seems to have it all a beautiful home, good job, loving daughter and a husband who's a good provider. But that's all her husband Gerald is...a provider and the only reason he married Victoria is because she was pregnant with a child not because he necessarily loved her. As her marriage deteriorates Victoria resorts to dreaming about James and Michael to help her make it through the day...but her dreams are so much more. Read Dream In Color by Darlene Johnson to find out why. The beginning is a little confusing because its not easy distinguishing where reality ends and the dreams begin, however, as the reader gets used to the author's multi-layered writing style the plot actually becomes quite compelling and worth the patience. Dream In Color is a good debut novel from Darlene Johnson and I look forward to other reads from this talented author.

College student Victoria Chandler is in love with her boyfriend Gerald. When Victoria finds out, she is with child, she becomes overwhelmed with excitement and cannot wait to share the news with Gerald but his response is not what Victoria expected.

Gerald's mother persuades him to marry Victoria but he only married her because of the child. Victoria tries to do anything she can to put some type of spice in her marriage to no avail. She resorts to dreaming/fantasizing about two men that do not exist to give her the fulfillment of love she seeks.

Read this novel to find out how Victoria dreaming/fantasizing helps shape her life.

I recently purchased Dream In Color and read it in one sitting and quite frankly I was very impressed with this new author's story-telling ability. She tackled several difficult situations: a loveless marriage, unaffectionate sex with her husband, lack of self-esteem...issues that many women face but few discuss. Many times women feel they do the right societal thing by staying in a loveless mariage for the sake of the children only to lose so much of themselves as a result. Difficult topics to put into a novel but Dream In Color succeeded in telling Victoria's story in a unique way. Victoria didn't chose to down a bottle of tequila and consistantly get drunk or smoke countless of cigarettes and gripe about how much weight she gained only to have a knight rescue her in the end and the whole debacle be labeled as funny. Victoria is a real herione. She retreated within herself and she solved her own problem. Ms. Johnson had the opportunity to allow Victoria's knight to rescue her toward the end but she chose not to take it and I appreciated the story more for that because it is what most women end up having to do. The fact that Ms. Johnson took Victoria on this incredible emotional journey of self-discovery through a series of daydreams was absolutely brillant. I've never read a book crafted this way before and I most certainly will be awaiting this author's next book.

I am rating this book a four because I love the concept and story line. What a way to escape from the demands of an unhappy marriage and unhappy lifestyle. Daydream the hurt and pain away. That what Victoria. She invented 2 men in her life, totally different and imagined life with them. The good man James and the bad boy Michael. I bet rolled up together they would have made one heck of a man.This book I felt was good for a first time author. Though in the beginning I was a little confused. I did not realize when the dreaming started. It was all of a sudden to me. A little more clarity and better editing this could have been a great novel. But, it will rate a 3.5 in my book. Definitely worth the read.

I bought this book on impulse without ever reading a single review. I had no idea what I was about to get myself into but I'm extremely glad I chose to buy this book. It's truly a masterpiece. I was completely wrapped up. Not in a long, long time has a book kept me wanting to read non-stop. Darlene you're brilliant girl. Way to go!!

When I got this book I climbed into bed and started reading it. I expected to fall asleep while reading, but as the sun came up the following morning I was finishing the book. I held the book close to me and felt the warm tears rolling down my face. I silently acknowledged that this author understood how I felt. She possibly also understood how many other women felt, also. Unfortunately, most women don't talk openly about how their marriages don't work and how they try to deal with their hurt and rejection from their husbands. We have been taught to live in silence and not to complain. Ms. Johnson's book opens the door to exploring those feelings and how this one woman (Victoria Chandler)coupes for her survivals sake. Ms. Johnson's ability to weave a story is excellent. I am awaiting the chance to read her next novel. I have been fortunate enough to meet her and have enjoyed chatting with this charming, talented, warm individual. I can't tell you fully how wonderful this novel is to read. I have to admit that I have read it several times. I also have found the cover to this novel exciting, attractive, and compelling. It is the cover that helped me decide to buy and read this book. What great summer reading! And again I cannot recommend this book enough to you and I am breathlessly awaiting another nover from Ms. Darlene Johnson.

If you had to read this for a book club, I feel sorry for you. The format was confusing and it wasn't until towards the middle of the book that I understood what the author was trying to do. The story in the present was much better written than the daydreams.