Flight ot the Blackbird: A Novel [Hardcover]

Faye Mcdonald Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 1996

Here is a stunning debut novel by a new voice in African-American fiction. Pacing the decline and recovery of an Atlanta family like a true storyteller, Faye McDonald Smith offers a detailed portrait of the dreams and fears of all middle-class African-Americans who face systematic racism compounded by the harsh economic realities of life in the nineties.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Smith's skills as a journalist and screenwriter are evident in the smooth dramatic pacing of her first novel. Thirty-seven-year-old African American Meg Burke has attained the modest contentment that accompanies upper-middle-class success. She is a marketing representative for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; her husband, Builder, owns his own construction business; she can provide the educational and social niceties for their 13-year-old daughter, Sasha. Her complacency is shattered, however, when the Chamber downsizes, eliminating her division and her job. At first confident that she will land another position soon, Meg soon has to face not only the realities of the current economy but also the fact that Builder's business is in crippling financial trouble. The couple scrambles to shore up their crumbling world, shaken by the growing fear they may never regain their former security. As misfortune compounds misfortune, the shame, social ostracism and gut-wrenching stress tear at the fabric of the Burkes' relationship. Their middle-class pride and values, combined with assorted unresolved family issues, inhibit them from accepting help extended by family and friends. When, however, tragedy strikes, they belatedly realize where their strength really lies. Smith's characters are human in the complexity of both their frailty and their courage. She weaves an adroitly paced, poignant and triumphant tale with the ease of a natural storyteller. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Like Omar Tyree's recent Flyy Girl (LJ 9/15/96), this work is about an upper-middle-class African American family. The story is centered around the mother, Mel Burke, who loses her position at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce because of a money crunch. So begins her family's downward spiral. The book is well written and appropriately paced so that the story moves along without bogging down in unnecessary detail. The Burkes cope with threats of losing their house, car, and one another. The daughter, Sasha, once privileged enough to attend a private school, must try to fit in at a public school. Besides the money problems, Mel faces personal problems with her younger brother, a successful attorney for drug dealers and the like. Page after page of hard luck for the Burkes is a little hard to take, but the story is strong enough to hold the reader until the end. An impressive debut; recommended for most collections.?Shirley Coleman, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., Mich.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1ST edition (November 4, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684829711
• ISBN-13: 978-0684829715
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,252 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 OVERSPENDING NIGHTMARE, March 20, 2001

By 

Mary Allen "Mary B Allen" (HARRISBURG, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flight of the Blackbird (Mass Market Paperback)

FLIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD is the story of the downward spiral of a woman, Mel, and her family when she loses her job. This book questions living above one's means, and not saving and putting away for lean times. It addresses decisions made while under financial duress and how they affect family members. Finally, FLIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD looks at the impact of having less on family pride, values and images. Even though this book presented a very real scenario and I'm glad I read it, it was depressing. One bad situation kept happening after another. I put myself in the lead character's position and thought that there were many pitfalls which could have been avoided. One last note, I finished reading this book with a resolution to take better control of my finances.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this debut novel!, October 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Flight ot the Blackbird: A Novel (Hardcover)

Sometimes when we reach a certain place in life we get comfortable AND complacent. Mel and Builder had both gotten too comfortable - Mel in her corporate job (and all the goodies it afforded) and Builder in his self denial and deception. I enjoyed watching the characters in this novel grow through life's trials and tragedies. Isn't that the way all of us do it?! I like the author's use of the name Builder for Mel's husband. Not only was he a "builder" of physical things, but he also helped build both their characters. The rape scene was a little difficult and I was disappointed that her friend Celeste had no redeeming qualities. Oh well, some people never learn. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversational style of this book and the full devlopment of the characters. It was nice to see a middle-class African-American family that triumphed over adversities in a realistic manner. I look forward to Ms. Smith's next work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't be A First Novel, March 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Flight of the Blackbird (Mass Market Paperback)

This can't be a first novel. Smith did an excellent job & she left no stone unturned. Pick it up - you'll finish it in one day - I did. Detailed, interesting & thought-provoking - I really enjoyed this book.