Customer Reviews

Reaching Back

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reaching back, like throw back, is a common term in some African American communities to describe a child that is born with the features of an ancestor. Usually, it refers to a child that has distinct Negroid features whereas the parents may not appear so. It can also refer to a child of two distinctly black parents who is born with white features. The former is usually cause for concern when families are trying to "whiten or bleach" the line or pass into white society altogether. This premise is the crux of the storyline of four generations of a family who has been fostered to believe that being white or white in appearance is the saving grace and desire of the black race.

Megan, Carrie, Ana, and Mignon, the women whose lives are told, have had their share of trials and tribulations with poverty, men, family, and self-esteem and independence issues. Raised on a Louisiana plantation, Megan is the product of a rape by the landowner, who in turn rapes both Megan and Carrie when they come of age, his own daughter and granddaughter. If it sounds complicated, convoluted, and complex, it is. But we find out later in the book the disastrous results of these complexities. Meanwhile, Carrie suffers isolation and humiliation because she "reached back" and does not look like the rest of her light, bright, damn near white family. Her "caramel" coloring guarantees that she will never be able to have the advantages of white skin or be able to passe blanc. Some of her siblings do indeed move to New Orleans and cross over into the white world. Carrie loves her childhood sweetheart, John, who is a dark brown skinned man , but marries a fair-skinned man because she believes that is best. Her life is at first good but a series of circumstances causes her to question her choice and then she encounters John again. Her daughter Ana "suffers" the same fate as Carrie and is "tan" colored, unlike her white- looking siblings. She, in turn, is mistreated by both her siblings and father, a renowned minister. Ana's beauty and talent cannot be denied however and she becomes a singing sensation in Paris where her sense of worth is elevated, until again, as is the fate of the Devereaux women, she faces heartache. Back home in Houston, she marries the near white Clark, whose background remains hidden for several years. Ana's daughter Mignon, in trying to please her now passing for white father, marries a light skinned man. As she matures and comes into her self-worth, she realizes her former choices and values have been misconstrued.

This book was my local book club selection and all kinds of emotions and comments were expressed. The subject matter was not particular to everyone's liking-we felt the synopsis on the back of the book was misleading because it did not mention color issues-- but that aside, what we most agreed upon and which verified my feelings, is the immature writing style and the poor editing of this book. Someone compared it to Cane River (women who believed in bleaching the line, desiring white appearance, etc) but that is where the resemblance begins and ends. While Cane River was well written and less intrusive, Reaching Back has an undeveloped writing style, though in the last few chapters the quality of writing improved greatly. Though the spelling and grammar appeares flawless, the content editing of this book put it in the category of many self-published books, that while it is entertaining-there is plenty of drama, a quick read, and flows satisfactorily, misses out on being a better final product. Constant contradictions in timelines, misplaced names, even descriptions of the main characters, are glaring examples of poor editing. I understand the author is writing a sequel to this book; I can only hope the editing is improved. I offer congratulations to Ms. Simone for undertaking such a project and for telling her story.------

Dera
Apooo Bookclub
Marcus Book Club (Oakland)

First of all, 5 stars is the highest rating allowed. If I had my druthers, I would give it a 10. This book is a beautifully written testimony to the strength of family and the resiliency of the human spirit. I cannot believe I almost left this book on the shelf. Do not hesitate--go get this book NOW!

Nea Simone's first novel is absolutely breathtaking! It is hard to imagine that this is the author's first work--her writing is flawless and lyrical. Reaching Back reads like a new day "Roots." The characters are vibrant and alive. The flow of the story is so amazing. The way the lives of the characters are intertwined is sensational without being unrealistic. The theme of "passing" for white is explored beautifully as well as the ramifications of living lies. This novel highlights that past indiscrections and secrets will always be exposed. And Simone does this without being preachy or condescending

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in a good read and getting a glimpse into the African-American experience in history. You will not be disappointed.

Mignon is at the end of her rope. Her complexion is too dark to be accepted by light skinned Black folk and too light to be accepted by dark skinned Blacks; she has always struggled to find a place where she fits in. She thought her marriage was the answer to her prayers, but found that wealth and social status was not enough to make her happy. After struggling to keep her marriage together and deal with an unfaithful husband, she finally decides it is time for a change. She packs up her things and calls her parents. Her father immediately offers to fly in and help her make the long drive across country with her daughters in tow. When he arrives, he presents Mignon with a leather bound journal, sent to her by her mother. Inside the journal, Mignon finds a handwritten account of her family history as told by her grandmother and mother. At the end of the journal she finds blank pages, which she assumes is the place where she will someday record the experiences of her own life. Facing an uncertain future, this journal seems to be just what Mignon needs to find the strength to start over. Thus, Mignon begins an emotional journey through two generations of her family's history that will lead to healing and a better understanding of her own life.

Nea Anna Simone's first novel, Reaching Back is an excellent work. The author immediately draws you in to the story and keeps you hooked until the last page. Simone looks at how social issues such as class and skin color have divided African Americans both historically and in more contemporary settings. This is a character driven plot, and the reader really gets a chance to see how the characters think and feel. Towards the end of the story there were a couple of places where the story didn't flow as well as it did in the beginning, but overall this was an excellent read. This multigenerational story of life, love, and survival, should not be missed.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

In Reaching Back, debut novelist Nea Anna Simone introduces us to Mignon Samuels. Samuels finally gets the courage to escape her marriage to her `not so prince charming' husband, and enlists the aid of her stepfather Richard Warner to help her.

Thinking that it is finally time to explain to Mignon of her life, Richard hands her a leather journal. "Your mother has asked me to give this to you, " he tells her. "She thought now was a good a time as any to read up on your family history."

As Mignon settles back and flips through the pages of the journal, she is taken back through history of her great-great grandparents, The Devereauxs of a small Louisiana town named for the largest plantation and landowners, cousins Robert and William.

Every time a child is conceived by one of the Devereaux clan, there is great fear the child will `reach back' into their slave ancestry and tell their heavily guarded secret. Even the children too dark to pass for White, marry someone with light skin in hopes of being accepted by society. They too will learn that everything what might look good to you is not good for you. How many lives will be ruined by this family's web of lies and deceit?

Simone weaves a horrid tale of slavery, rape, incest, family betrayal and much drama. Reaching Back was a very enjoyable novel. The plot, twists and turns will have you reaching and turning the pages to find out what lies ahead for the characters. I highly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading what else Ms. Simone has in store for us.

Reaching Back reaches into your heart and mind as it leaves you wondering about the lives of your own ancestors. As you're transported into the world of the descendents of slavery through the lives of four generations of women, you'll feel their pain as they handle rapes, incest, racism, difficult relationships, money problems, and disappointments with their children all the while struggling to provide their children with better lives. The strength of Megan, Carrie, Ana, and Mignon will inspire you to strive to be a better person. Simone puts a face to a history too often dismissed and ignored.

Let me begin by telling you to save your money buy another book. I did not enjoy REACHING BACK. This book had the makings of a really great read. The story of Carrie, Mignon's grandmother was very interesting. The story of Ana, Mignon's mother was like a fantasy or fairytale. The author, seemed to dedicate the last 1/3 of the book to Ana and her adventures with some French prince Pierre. The book just went downhill after Ana's debutante. It should have focused on how Stella/David worked out there marriage after the big bomb that was landed on Stella at the debutante. Or it should have focused on Stella/C.P relationship, did he go throughout life never knowing his parentage? I don't know why the author had to go and mess up a perfectly good story. I've read she is writing a sequel to Reaching Back which will focus on Ana/Mignon more.

Reaching Back took me on an INCREDIBLE journey! The characters were so real I think of them as old friends and wonder what they will be up to next. I hear Miss SImone has just finished the sequel and I can't wait to read it....I am a fan for life!

I really loved this book I read it in about 2 dayz. I like the fact that shes writing a sequel to the book. I would love to read more about Mignon and her family. It was really sad how All of there marragies went bad just because they chose the color of someones skin. The one thing about this book that got to me was that none of them knew there history or there background so they all where just mixed up with each other and it there was incest throughout the whole book because no one knew who they where marrying. But I really loved this book it was definatly an page turn although it kind of got slow when the Author started talking about Mignon Childhood. Oh yea I also thought she should have wrote a epilougr but since shes writing a sequel I think that should be could. She should type up all of the loose ends. like what ever happened to Logan after Ruth killed herself and whos taking care of Sofias baby Angel? David perhaps?!?!? And is Mignon ever going to meet her real father seeing as to how shes the soul heir to his fortune since she's the first born and all. but yea everyone buy this book because it was a very good read and if you want to learn more about how the black people back in the day segregated each other by the color of there skin then this is the book for you.

At first when I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. Originally I had plan of rating it a five,until I got to the last chapter. Too many questions went unanswered. Why didn't Stella confess to David about her true Identity? How did Stella manage to convince David that she was white, after her neice sofia admitted to him that her aunt was actually colored, trying to past for white. Also, I'd like to know was she aware that her Son married her niece? And What happen to Mignon's father? He gets an emergency phone call that his wife and daughter are involved in a serious car accident. What happen after that. There was no mention of him after that. Next thing she meet this man on a cruise,and Mignon didn't know that man she met years in Paris was actually her biological father. How can you deny your daughter such great inheritance. I think the situation with her and Pierre was just a total misunderstand. After a while, things was not making sense. Like I said, I was really enjoying this book until I got to the end.

Although I was disappointed on how this book ended, I won't give up on the author. After all, that was her first, and I think she made a great effort. I just hope that she finds a better editor next time.

I was at a book signing for another author. I was outside the store giving out book marks and asking passer-bys to check out the author. I had already bought 3 books, but as I was standing outside I kept noticing the book, staring at me from the window...Well before I left that day, I picked up the book.
I was not disappointed. The story is very good saga about families and their interaction with one another as well a glimpse into a time where skin color really mattered. Or better yet, does it still matter today?