Customer Reviews

Flight ot the Blackbird: A Novel

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The Burkes is a middle class family that's just trying to make it until rock bottom hits. Mel loses her job, and Builder's construction company is not making a profit, they have to take their daughter out of private school. To top it all off the couple is having big marriage problems along with everything else. You don't want to miss this one, I am sure everyone can relate in some aspect of the novel.

Set in cultural Hotlanta, is the story of a family's life which is changed after the course of one day. You will cry, get angry, and wonder what will happen next as you journey through this couple's losses of what they once thought important, redefining what love and family is all about.

Faye McDonal tells a wonderful story of keeping up with the Joneses and the resurrection of human spirit in Flight Of The Blackbird!

Recommended for the serious reader who knows life holds no guarantees.

FLIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD" is a novel about strength, perseverence, and love, and how everything that was once lost can be found again. I thought that there was nothing left for this family, and then another tragedy brought about newfound priorities and stronger family ties. The best part of this book was that it was so real. Downsizing is a part of the corporate structure, and people cope in different ways. This family, to me, took it too lightly, and the walls fell it-HARD! It was a very powerful novel and I enjoyed it throughly.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. I think the author did a great job of keeping us in touch with what Mel the main character was feeling at all times. I think that the book was realistic in things just kept getting worse as they often do in real times. I was a little disappointed that neither characters seemed to have any spirtuality that they could pull on while under pressure but maybe that's how some people cope through self-reliance. at times Mel really started to get on my nerves with her percieved false sense of morality, but that too is a sign of a good book because the character was flawed to the point of realism. I think the author did a nice job of depicting financial pressures without it being boring. I will be recommending this book to others. Looking forward to the next one.

All I have to say is this is a must read for everyone. The world in which we live in is no longer steady employment -- no matter how loyal an employee you are. Downsizing and corporate restructuring is happening everyday and when it happens to you it can be devastating. Ms. McDonald Smith brings this story together with laughter, tears and hope. It holds your interest from start to finish. I wish more people would pick it up and read it. This book also knows no color -- because as I stated earlier downsizing and coporate restructuring effects us all in everyway - family, finances and emotionally.

This book was an excellent example of how the so called African American elite society can get so caught up in their own world. So, when life throws you a curve we don't know how to handle it. Unfortunately we have to be humbled. And this book depicts the fall and then putting the pieces back together, only to rise again.

Erica Raphael

The book was a real page turner. It is very rare that you find a book as realistically written as this and still call it fiction. At the end of each chapter I was left wondering what could possibly still happen to Mel and Builder. I was impressed that the author also wanted to depict the changes that the situation was taking Sasha through as well. I felt like a member of their family. I just wanted to help get them back on their feet. I will recommend this to my book club