Customer Reviews

Meant to Be: A Novel (Strivers Row)

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First of all, it is very hard to write a review for a book such as this. It is complex and difficult to describe in simplistic terms. All that can be said is, this reviewer was hooked from page one because of the character called PJ. Even as a child, she had spunk, sassiness, and was vividly drawn. And as an adult, she was real, making choices in life that weren't all good or bad.

Throughout the novel, the writer's words are like poetry; she is very adept at putting one word after another to paint and sketch so the reader can see and hear.

The one thing that one must be aware about, however, is the abundance of narrative in the story which may make it seem slow. You're anxious to get to the end, but you may find it difficult to do so. But if you're patient, and stick it out, you may be happy to read a story that makes you about the possibilities of how your ancestors can guide you, speak to you, and make a difference in your life even when they aren't no longer physically present.

Meant to Be is a beautifully crafted, well written novel that explores love and family relationships with great depth and honesty. Told from the point of view of a deceased grandmother who hopes her spiritual presence will be strong enough to save her granddaughter, Patience, from the fates that have haunted her family.

At a very young age Patience realizes that although both her parents love her dearly, they show very little love and caring towards each other. Daily she watches and wonders what the cause of the conflict is and if it will eventually cause major changes in her life. Patience finds comfort and solace in her long heartfelt conversations with her Aunt Ada, who seems to have great insight into most of life's mysteries, and she discovers a love of music by listening to her parents old Jazz and Blues recordings. This becomes one of her greatest passions as she is mesmerized by the music of Billie, Sarah, Ella, Dinah and Nancy.

As Patience matures and moves away from the quiet little rural town her parents sought refuge in, she starts reflecting on her love life. She's not sure what she wants in a relationship but she know she does not want the dysfunctional situation her parents have. Patience meets two very different men who both have her considering what it truly takes to have a life filled with love. Her parents, Aunt Ada, Grandmother and best friend Sarah will all mentor and counsel her with their experiences.

My only qualm with this book is that at the end little is resolved. I don't need a story wrapped up with a big red bow on top but I enjoy a little packaging. Still this is a very good debut novel, Rita Coburn Whack is definitely a talented writer. I look forward to future novels from her.

Reviewed by Ruby
APOOO Bookclub

Meant to Be is a young girl's journey into womanhood. Jan deals with parents that are sometimes as cold as ice, with secrets so hot they could melt the sun. A spirit spills the story through loquacious narrative chronicling Jan's journey through adolescence, into womanhood, through college, during relationships, and into loss. Invariably she learns keen awareness, acceptance, and forgiveness.

I had a distinct appreciation for the rhythm of the story, which delved in and out of the characters' thoughts, spinning perspectives and providing lucid details through Jan's distorted puberty. The women grazing in and out of Jan's peripherals add variety, color, and perspective to the story.

Ms. Coburn is as lyrical as they come. Smooth, wise words slip in and out of the pages branding location, setting, and characters in your thoughts. In Meant to Be, you'll read with your ears as well as with your eyes. The words are so succulent and familiar that if you read too fast, you'll miss the clever mixtures of wisdom and sarcasm.

The story is engaging. The writing is mesmerizing. I only have one complaint. I abhor lengthy narrative, which reminds me of boring college lectures where you are not an active participant. Narrative is the medium through which this story is told. Consequently, had the author spun the tale without this particular narrative, the story would adopt a totally different meaning. Eventually I learned to tolerate the verbose voice leading me through each scene and thought.

Take your time reading this or the loud narrative will overwhelm you. This is not a speed read. Pace yourself in order to really appreciate the depth of the message, the melody of the words, and the spirit of the story.

I was pleasantly surprised reading this first time novel by Rita Colburn Whack. I was expecting more of a Christian theme but was taken on a spiritual journey. Patience Jan Campbell is a typical college student who seems to have her professional life together but could use help with her personal life. Her friend Sarah, her Aunt Ada and the spirit of her deceased grandmother all play a part in trying to help her get her "spiritual voice" back.

Patience reminded me of women that I knew in college so I could relate to the choices (good and bad) she made. I loved the supporting characters in the book especially Hannah, the spirit of her grandmother, who tried to guide her through her most difficult times. I would have liked to have learned more about her friend Sarah. It was a little difficult to understand where her bitterness toward her ex-husband and men in general originated.

If you are looking for a well written book with a different theme, then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading future works from Whack.

Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO Bookclub

Patience Jan Campbell, known to her friends and family as Jan, is the only child to Jessie and Charles Campbell, they reside in a small town called Moleen. Jan's parents' relationship isn't the greatest and she wonders if they even love each other at all. Since Jan doesn't feel the love at home she clings to her father's sister, her favorite aunt, Ada. Ada is her mentor and confidante from her childhood through her adult years.

Jan is a somewhat outspoken child, who is called upon to read her favorite bible scripture one Sunday at church. After reading her scripture the whole church looks at Jan differently. Jan feels very confident and self-assured after being given the opportunity to be heard.

An unfortunate tragedy occurs when Jan is a teen, it causes her to lose her "voice" along with her true self. Jan calls to her deceased paternal grandmother Hannah, via prayer to turn to as she is unable to turn to anyone else around her. Unknowingly to Jan, her prayers are answered and Hannah does come. It is through Hannah's eyes and voice that we follow Jan from her teen years to her adult years. We follow Jan on a spirtual journey through Hannah's voice as she tries to find herself and regain her own "voice".

Meant To Be is a spiritually insightful book that delves into a young woman's journey to self discovery. It makes you think of who you are and what made you that way. I am eager to read more of the author's books.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin

First of all, it is very hard to write a review for a book such as this. It is complex and difficult to describe in simplistic terms. All that can be said is, this reviewer was hooked from page one because of the character called PJ. Even as a child, she had spunk, sassiness, and was vividly drawn. And as an adult, she was real, making choices in life that weren't all good or bad.

Throughout the novel, the writer's words are like poetry; she is very adept at putting one word after another to paint and sketch so the reader can see and hear.

The one thing that one must be aware about, however, is the abundance of narrative in the story which may make it seem slow. You're anxious to get to the end, but you may find it difficult to do so. But if you're patient, and stick it out, you may be happy to read a story that makes you about the possibilities of how your ancestors can guide you, speak to you, and make a difference in your life even when they aren't no longer physically present.

Patience Jan Campbell was always thought to have a chip on her shoulder, and in her life she always thought it was her against the world. She was raised in a home with two parents who loved her but did not seem to love each other. Jan, as she preferred to be called, went to church on Sundays alone, and she was sustained by the love of her aunt Ada who was always there for her.

During her childhood, Jan endured a devastating experience. In addition to the pain she experienced she lost someone very important, herself. She could not seem to stop the pain she was feeling and seemed to be stumbling around making mistake after mistake. Being the religious person that she is, Jan calls on the spirit of her deceased paternal grandmother, Hannah. She believes that her grandmother can help her.

Hannah is a major force in the story, though she cannot stop Jan from doing stupid things, she seems to fill the empty places Jan has inside of her heart. Hannah, gives the reader the inside track as to what is going on in Jan's head and she also tries to steer Jan away from bad situations.

Rita Coburn Whack's Meant to Be is a beautifully written and touching narrative. Ms. Whack's writing style is lyrical, very literary and paints a picture for the reader. I enjoyed Jan's journey and Hannah's guidance and look forward to reading more by the author.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

One must be careful when allowing the word 'spiritual' to define Christian themes when the word is used to label and connotate. Content and context make all the difference in the world, which makes all the reason why going deeper to dispel discourse would be appropriate here. Rita Coburn Whack has penned a book written in such a different style that, if read subjectively, you'd come to appreciate the depth and breadth of an inspiring message, the witticism of a meaningful storyline, and a true spirit of what the author intended. This book will get your attention and keep you riveted to it in digesting interpretive understanding from multiple voices speaking as one. Meant To Be is the name of the book, an ostensibly auspicious debut novel written in an omniscient pattern which to me, adds to its enhancement. So much unlike that of which is being written of late, sans the predictable dichotomy in supposedly religious themes apropos in spiritual writing.

Let me set the stage for the drama: Patience Jan Campbell is the name of our protagonist who, as you read the first chapter of the book is deemed quite different from most kids her age. One of my cherished and definitive pieces of the book comes when Jan is called upon to read and interpret her favorite scripture for the church congregation. After reading it, she opines: "I think this scripture means that children know every shut eye ain't sleep and every head bowed ain't praying, so grown-ups ain't fooling us or God...So nobody should hold a child back from God just 'cause they may be having trouble finding Him." To say the least, she' was outspoken, observant, and early on was given the opportunity to be heard with the aforementioned passage being uttered much to the chagrin of the 'grown-ups'. The sun shone brightly on Jan until an unfortunate tragedy caused her to lose her vivacity, and most importantly her 'voice'. The omniscience found in this story is told through the eyes of her grandmother Hannah, in recurring dreams over the narration of Jan's life through college, her work as a radio disc jockey, and her somewhat uneven trysts with lovers Don and Phillip.

Ms Whack gives us a semi-autobiographical translation as we follow the main characters' journey into womanhood, finding herself among the many trials and tribulations, and regaining confidence for viability. The supporting characters in the book are strong, especially the previously mentioned Hannah; an aunt whom she calls Mama Ada acting as a mentor/surrogate mother type; and Sarah, a longtime friend who pleads and cajoles Jan to change the folly of her ways. The roles at play here allow the author a chance to make sincere attempts to meld semblages of her experiences, historical reference, and narrative interpretation to make this story work. In fact, it is this type of narration that was chosen that possibly proved to be troublesome to those that were not paying attention, or who abandoned the book altogether for lack of what the author was trying to convey. I give in to the fact that the narrative at times tended to be verbose and plodding in spots, but overall based on the intangibles it didn't take anything away from the stylistic rendering to see how Jan was able to learn acceptance, forgiveness, and a sense of self.

Tone, color, and perspective gave this book more spunk because of the style used to illustrate dramatic effect. The story is compelling. The writing expressive. Albeit and unashamelessly, I was looking for less a predictable ending in lieu of a rather safe coda given us, but the medium was well worth sticking with the clear message the author gave. I'm sure there are readers out there that have this book in their TBR (To Be Read) stack, or those that through hearsay, have found this to be a difficult read....but throw all notions aside using that type of enuendo and READ this for your own interpretive thought. This is a beautifully written and poignant piece of writing from an author who has only scratched the surface. I look forward to more from the pen of Rita Coburn Whack.

Well, I looked forward to this book, and when I got through, I had mixed feelings. Though I felt that Jan was assertive and all, I also felt that she allowed stuff to go down that was unnecessary. I was ticked with her parents. The daddy got the mamma on a dare and married her. But wasn't one step of educated if he tried to be, and because of the conflict between them, they didn't have time for Jan. When she really needed these people, they wasn't there for her,and in retrospect, she turned to others such as her aunt,Don and her girlfriend, who really should have a book of her own. It was good at times, but then it was like feeling in the dark for where you were. Other than that, it was good.