Customer Reviews

Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener" is a beautifully written collection of short stories, written with a poetic twist. Joylynn focuses on issues that are real, and brings about valid points, while allowing the reader to "feel" her every word. I highly anticipate reading more from this fresh new voice in the writing community.

Everyone knows how it is to purchase a book and let it sit for a while as you read another. Well, I did just that and I was upset with myself for not reading Joylynn Jossel's book first. It is fantastic! It left me speechless. The rhythm that this author's words are written in has a flow unlike any fiction I've read. When you start reading it you'll see what I mean. These stories are so deep and emotionally touching that they warmed my heart.
The second story in the book "Eyes Like Mine" was my favorite until I got to the next story which is "Sweet Potato Pie". To my knowledge, the author only has one book, but I can honestly say that she's one of my favorite authors because her writing style is just so "different". She is so classy with her words, witty with her characters, convincing with her insight, and extremely sharp with her creativity. This all adds up to a dynamite writer that we all will be hearing great things about! I can't wait for her next book, but you better read this one.

I was first impressed with the beautiful cover of this paperbook. After reading on I became more intrigued. The compilation of the seven short stories found in this book will leave its reader thinking. The author Joylynn M. Jossel, provided her reader with a sense of realism, truth and clarity.

Each story was easily read and ultimately contained powereful messages of wisdom. I suggest anyone looking for a quick entertaining uplifting book to read check out, "Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener." Ms. Jossel writes the story, and in return the story speaks for itself in the mind of its reader.

Thanks for the pleasant read. I look forward to reading more from this author. Keep the Creativity Flowing

CA Lindsey, Nubian Sistahs Book Reviewer

Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener is an impressive collection of seven very brief, yet quite moving, short stories by Joylynn M. Jossel, an African-American writer with a very special gift for conceptualizing and presenting the essence of the human dilemma. Humor, harsh choices, pathos and the struggle for perfection fill these memorable and highly recommended tales. The individual stories include Even Snowflakes Have Flaws; Eyes Like Mine; Sweet Potato Pie; What Goes Around; Nothin' Worse Than An Unmade Bed; Daddy's Little Girl; and You Ever Seen A Grown Man Cry.

At first I did not know if I would like the style of writing that she put to paper. As I continued, i thought; this lady is talented and should be a song writer. A book that touches on all areas of life in a very poetic way. Very Raw! A great read.

Raw, Real and explicitly written, Joylynn's book is sheer "flo-etry", written with potent words creatively reading as poetry in rhymne. These 7 short stories seize the true spirit of unbrashed knowledge and potent wisdom, creatively woven into the written words. No stone was left unturned... no secrets remained... and every pain/shame is revealed.

Joylynn has written this book with the grace of a peacock, carefully and skillfully portraying the stories of human life.

It's a mixed human gumbo evolving their mixture of emotions: violence, turmoil, desparation, humiliation, disappointments, betrayal, love, obsessions, sacrifices, frustrations, failures, tragedies, pain and pride. The book exemplifies the "daily struggles" encountered by ordinary folk who travel along the bumpy road of life.

As I read this book, I felt as though I was intruding on the privacy of the characters as they dodged through their inflictions and conflicts. The stories contained predicaments that was heart crushing and pained as acid on the nerves. Two of my favorites (if I had to choose) were "Eyes Like Mine" & "Ever Seen A Grown Man Cry".

This book is immeasurable on the exposure of emotions and a zealous work from the author/artist.


Star Rating:*****5 (...and then some!)

Please Tell Me If The Grass is Greener is a small collection of short stories by Joylynn Jossel. Seven unique stories unfold in this collection that takes the reader on a journey through aspects of life that aren't always green, aren't always perfect...or pretty. Prostitution, drugs, depression, suicide, murder, love, lust, and dating are just a few of the aspects that these intriguing stories touch upon.

I was totally enthralled by Jossel's stories and her writing. The majority of the stories were not heavy in dialogue, relying on the story's narrator to come across strong in his or her thoughts in the piece. The voices DEFINITELY come across, and bring the reader front and center to some serious issues. There's not one person who will be able to read these stories and not find at least one that will touch them, move them. I would definitely recommend this collection to other readers, and will be on the lookout for other works by Jossel.

Reviewed by Shonie