3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good read, January 9, 2007
If you read the first story then the conclusion will keep you engaged. It's very well written. You should read both books; A Love Noire first to appreciate Hunger.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who Are You and What Does it Mean to Be You?, November 6, 2006
Erica Simone Turnipseed proves the sophomore flop did not befall her. Her acclaimed debut, A Love Noire, three years ago is complimented by her admirable follow-up, Hunger:A Novel, a heartfelt story with many of the same elements of global sensibilities, the Black Diaspora, a cosmopolitan flair and intriguing writing. Many of the same characters return and others enter to make this a satisfying novel.
So why rehash characters that you may have thought settled things in the first novel? That is the question I asked myself when I heard there was a "sequel." Rewind back to the year 2001 and the month of September and all the emotions and angst that brings upon all of us; more so to those who lived in New York City at the time. Noire and Innocent run into each other one year before 9/11 at JFK Airport; she on her way to Haiti for a fellowship appointment and he, with his mother, on their way to France. When they see each other again, it is at the funeral service for a mutual friend; a victim of the attack on the Twin Towers. In that year's time, Noire has been involved with Peter, a journalist from Port-au-Prince and Innocent has visited his home, Cote d'Ivore in Africa where he has a fling with Chi Chi. Both Noire and Innocent are floundering, with scattered emotions and feelings of being on hold; in suspense, so when they reunite it is a superficial coupling, riding on emotions brought by the 9/11 tragedy. Then news Innocent receives from home is life-altering and everything comes to a head.
Has everyone gone crazy as a result of 9/11? That is how it appears to Noire. Her parents have made a declaration that throws Noire into a tailspin. She questions her being a true friend when she feels awkward consoling a widow of the tragedy. When her mentor is killed in a plane crash, she feels her life has spun out of control. Meanwhile Innocent is trying to cope with his new status, struggling with what it means to be a man in his father's eyes and begins to question the meaning of home. Suddenly no one is immune, not from their innermost emotions, not from the constant suspicions at airports, not even from death. A world tragedy resonates inward as people try to come to grips with the frailty of splintered lives. On opposite ends of the world, Noire and Innocent are better able to analyze their respective situations.
This novel dealt more so with the internal effects of the couple, their families and loved ones. The cast of supporting characters both complimented and enhanced the story as we got a peek into their lives and their interactions with the protagonists. This is a must-read for those who have read ALN. I use "sequel" sparingly as the author informed APOOO BookClub that the publishers' phrase is "series". I think Noire and Innocent's story is finally finished and was done in a grand fashion.
Dera R. Williams
APOOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!, October 18, 2006
Just as she did in "A Love Noire," Erica Simone Turnipseed has written a novel that is smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking. However, Turnipseed has upped the ante with "Hunger," showing remarkable growth as a writer in the three years since her debut. This growth is reflected in the development of the characters and the growth that they experience in their own lives (though not always willingly) as they grapple with major life issues, including the personal and global impact of 9/11. This time, the stakes are higher for everyone and Ms. Turnipseed deftly shows that she is up to the challenge.
Also, a note to the fellas: Do not deprive yourself by assuming that this book is not for you. One of the things I most appreciate about "A Love Noire" and "Hunger" is that, unlike many other books, the men are fully developed characters - not caricatures - whose perspectives are given equal weight, care and respect. Take it from me, every guy should buy a copy and read it with his significant other (or someone you want to be significant). Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
I'm looking forward to Erica Simone Turnipseed's next book, as I have a feeling the best is yet to come!
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