Customer Reviews

Miss Black America: A Novel

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This finely written, exquisitely detailed coming of age story may be called Miss Black America, but its appeal is universal. Veronica Chambers skillfully explores the delicate, fraught, often confusing and competing ties that bind daughters to both their mothers and fathers. The mother's dominant presence -- heightened cleverly by her absence --is beautifully woven throughout the story without diminishing the strong presence and influence of Teddo on the woman Angela becomes. Frequent interwoven references to touchstones of popular cultural throughout Angela's life --from news clips to fashion trends-- help place and pace the story in a colorful way that should conjure up fun personal memories for many readers. Miss Black America is a fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable, and ultimately uplifting take on the resilience of us all, because of, and in spite of, our families. A great read.

In her memoir, Mama's Girl, Veronica Chambers had me so spellbound that I finished the book in one sitting. She does it again in her first novel, Miss Black America, grabbing your attention in the first paragraph and not letting go until the last.

This moving story is full of glimpses of the 60's and 70's and glimpses into the hearts and minds of the people there. She makes you care about her characters, especially Angela Davis Brown whose sassy, irrepressible voice tells her story. From one scene to the next, the action is fast paced, making it impossible to put down. With such heroes as the magic man Teddo the Amazing Magician, Miss Black America and Mohammed Ali gracing the pages of this book, it is a terrific read that leaves you cheering the resilience of the human spirit.

An endearing story from an amazing writer. Little Miss Black America is an emotional rollercoaster ride that touches its reader from every angle. You laugh, you get angry, you want to cry, but you love its main characters and ultimate message delivered throught the story. For Mama's Girl fans, it reaffirms Veronica outstanding talent as a writer. For those who have never read Veronica, you will fall in love with her writing, and run out to read Mama's Girl.

This is an enormously heartwarming coming-of-age tale, which is well-written and engaging. I particularly enjoyed all of the pop culture references, since I was growing up in the '70s as well. Once I finished the book, I felt like the characters were still living with me, which is always a sign of a good book. I'd highly recommend this one.

I thought this was an excellent book. It focused on the struggles of a young girl growing up with her father. It forces you to take a look at what motivates people to do the things they do and how the fallout of those actions will effect the ones closest to them.

It also took a strong look at the beliefs and values held by parents and how those values or lack there of, will shape the lives of their children.

At the heart of the story is a daughters love for her mother. When that love is taken away, the book explores the grief the daugher must endure and how she learns to cope.

I am a big fan of Veronica's and her latest did not disappoint. Miss Black America really captured Angela's stuggles as she tries to navigate growing up and a world without her mom. I felt Veronica nailed the time period as well. I was in elementary school in NYC during 70's and this brought back some fun memories.

A perfect balance of heart breaking and heart warming. This book has all the elements required of good fiction; sincerity, humor, and insight. A must read.

I fell in love with Veronica Chambers with her memoir "Mama's Girl," and she proves equally skilled at fiction with "Miss Black America." Not only is the novel beautifully written throughout, but some of the pop culture references are laugh out loud funny.