Customer Reviews

Sittin' in the Front Pew: A Novel (Strivers Row)

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

There is probably no greater stress that family endures than the death of a loved one. In the book Sittin' in
The Front Pew, Parry Brown addresses this difficult time with great emotional sensitivity and at times with humor. The story begins with a frantic late night call announcing the death of the Naylor family patriarch, Edward Naylor. As his daughter Gloria hears the words, she experiences shock and disbelief. She quickly begins to prepare for her trip home to bury her only living parent. But before she even reserves her flight from Los Angeles to her hometown of Baltimore, the drama begins.

When Edward Naylor's wife died leaving behind 4 young daughters, he stepped up to the plate, raising them alone. In addition, he was active in his church and community and an inspiration to others on his job. With all of his daughters now adults, he was just about to begin a new phase in his life by getting remarried. His death was not only a shock to his family and fiancé, but the community as well. Now at a time when his family is overwhelmed with grief, they have a funeral to plan. Where will the funeral be held? When will it take place? What kind of flowers will be used? Who will sing at the funeral? Even though everyone agreed on what questions needed to be asked, finding agreement on the answers was much more difficult. As the story progresses, the family mourns together, laughs together, uncovers secrets, bickers over decisions and ultimately begins to heal.

One of the greatest assets of this book was that there were the strong, positive male characters. Edward Naylor was a wonderful father, a pillar of the community, and an excellent example for other men. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that all of the characters were well rounded. The author did a wonderful job at helping us see both the strengths and weaknesses of the major characters and really let us get to know them. The humorous scenes were neatly woven into the book so that just when you feel overwhelmed by all the strong emotions, you could step back and laugh. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. I highly recommend Sittin' in the Front Pew and look forward to seeing Parry Brown's continued growth as a writer in her future works.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

Death has a way of bringing out either the worst or best in people. "Sittin in the Front Pew" demonstrates this in a touching and sometimes funny way. Glynda Naylor receives the phone call that no person ever wants: her beloved father, Edward Naylor, has died suddenly. With sisters Renee, Dawn and Collette hovering on the line, Glynda's in a state of shock. She'd just spoken with her father the day before and he told her how proud he was of all of his daughters.
As soon as she reaches home, the bickering associated with everyone wanting to have their way - members of the family or not - flairs up; from who's name would appear on the obituary to who was riding in the limos. There's much crying, lots of memories coming to the surface and some secrets revealed, which makes this story so real! Ms. Brown successfully demostrates how a family's grief can shake its foundation and what it takes to bring a family much closer: unconditional love. Excellent novel!!

Although this was my first book from Parry and her most recent, she has gained a new fan in me with Sittin' in the Front Pew, a tale which takes us into the lives of Glynda Naylor and her sisters as they prepare for their father's homegoing service.

When Glynda receives a call from her sisters that their father Edward Naylor has passed, on the support of her friend Rico she heads home to assist her sisters (Dawn, Renee, and Collette) with the arrangements. From the moment she arrives and touches base with everyone they begin to clash on the smallest elements from the flowers and colors to who will ride in the limos. As they work through the arrangements they begin to delve deeper into the life in their father, discovering things that were once a mystery to them. Just as things begin to come full circle with the arrangements, one of their father's secrets comes out with a powerful force and it truly changes the lives of the sisters forever.

I found this book to be very realistic and relatable in many instances. Parry goes a wonderful job of weaving in the process and the emotions that families go through as they prepare to say goodbye to their loved one. This a wonderful, dynamic book that will truly take you on a unique journey from beginning to end.

This story begins when the narrator, Glynda, receives a late night phone call that her father, Edward Zachary Naylor, is dead. With the support of her friend, Rico, Glynda pulls herself somewhat together and catches a flight from Los Angeles, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, to be with her three sisters to make funeral arrangements. The planning of her father's funeral along with a family secret is the center of this enlightening and entertaining novel.

Author Parry "EbonySatin" Brown in her book, Sittin' in the Front Pew, does a fine job at demonstrating the emotional trauma that both the death of a loved one and a family secret can have on family members. This book clearly shows through the lives of four sisters how these issues can cause much "drama" and "chaos" within the family unit during a time of bereavement. This book is very well written and the character development was superb. Although this is an entertaining book, some parts were predictable.

Upon Glynda's arrival in Baltimore, she and her three sisters, Renee, Colette and Dawn, begin planning their father's funeral arrangements and the handling of his affairs. While reading this story, I found the scenarios to be too close to home based on my own experiences, after the passing of a family member. There is always constant bickering, tears at the drop of a hat, confusion and animosity and more than likely a family secret revealed that will cause even more chaos in the midst of the madness. However, through it all, the Naylor sisters begin to heal and learn to appreciate and understand the true blessing of family in spite of the "drama" that occurs during the funeral planning and the revealing of a secret that their father took to his grave. This is an enjoyable book.

Reviewed by Carla J. Curtis

This novel was definitely neither intellectually nor literarily challenging. It was, however, good brain candy for a quick summer read. The characters were frustrating, but funny and real, and the funeral scene was so bizarre I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, the Naylor girls are a group of sassy, in your face sisters. They are the daughters of Edward Zachary Naylor, a strong, dependable pillar of his community. Edward Naylor raised his four daughters to be strong and independent women after the tragic death of their mother. One night Edward suddenly dies to the dismay of everyone. But Edward had a secret and that secret is revealed prior to the funeral causing an uproar with everyone. At a time when families should be allowed to grieve and rejoice simultaneously, in the devotion and accomplishments of a loved one, the Naylor sisters constantly battle about every detail of the funeral, even though Edward made his wishes known in a copy of his personal papers and his will.

I could devote several paragraphs to each daughter, for each has her own story to be told. But I will say this, each daughter has a unique personality and one is not like the other. Their voices and behaviors leap off the page to the point that you may recognize them. I know I did. Renee, the oldest is the married mother of four. Glynda resides in Los Angeles and is a lawyer. Collette is a very successful financial planner with her own guilt to bear and Dawn is a single mom of one and a nurse. Each daughter loved her father unconditionally and to say that his death was a shock is an understatement.

Sittin' In the Front Pew offers an array of emotions that I'm sure each reader can attest to in some way. I found myself laughing at the antics, grieving with the characters and rejoicing in their triumphs. The dialogue is realistic and moving because at the heart of Sittin' In the Front Pew is the depiction of a strong, male figure with frailties. I also enjoyed the memories that the daughters, family members and friends shared about Edward. It provided insight into the man himself.

I consider this novel an excellent club selection because there is a lot to be examined that only a discussion could accomplish. KUDOS to Parry Brown for bringing it home!...

Ms Parry Brown out did herself with this tale of how families react to death. When you read the prologue to this book, and Glynda is getting back on the plane to go home to California, you are not prepared for the drama that takes place in the following pages. Tears were flowing and before the tears could dry, I was laughing hysterically.

Family patriarch and pillar of the community, Eddie Naylor suddenly passes away. His daughters are left to plan his funeral and settle his affairs. The problem is these girls have such strong and different personalities, they are unable to make a decision without bickering. They can't decide on the funeral home, what to bury him in, what to wear, who to put in the obituary, who is to sit on the front pew. Also, a mystery person is named in their father's will. Who is she and what does she mean to the family? As the day of the funeral nears, the mystery is solved and now there is a new gamut of emotions and feelings that have to be dealt with.

While reading this book, I shed tears of sorrow and tears of laughter as the Naylor girls reminisce over their life with their father, good and bad times with each other and friends. But, one thing for sure these girls loved one another and they loved their father. This one is a must for your summer reading list. ...

I recently read Parry A. Brown's, Sittin' in the Front Pew. What a touching, surreal and emotionally charged book. It allowed me to reflect on the recent death of my own father, this past summer and how it affected me and my entire family. Reading this book allowed me to heal a bit more as well. It allowed me to truly think about life and what each divine moment means. I was able to mourn the loss of my dad's wonderful and unforgettable presence by becoming apart of the story line. I felt as though I was reliving the moments that were all too familiar, right along with the Naylor sisters. What I also found so compelling was the fact that these 4-sisters fought continuously but, their love for their father was unconditional. Glynda and Dawn seemed to be the peacemakers and are hell bent on things going as planned by their father, Edward Zachary Naylor. Collette and Renee seem to think things should go anything but smoothly. There's also Uncle Thomas and Edward's fiancee Estelle and then there's Nina Blackford, a secret from their father's past that comes into their lives at the wrong time or so they think. It strange the things that result or surface, when a family is dealing with their loss and grief. That's why it's so important that families try to get along, communicate, etc. together. These days many are more like strangers than anything else. This is a book you won't soon forget and it's worth sharing with others. It was definately therapy for my soul and spirit. I laughed, cried and signified in agreement right along with them. Parry A. Brown has blessed us yet again with another bestseller, that many will be talking about long after their done reading it.

This book has surpassed any book I have read in 2002. I would pass by this book in the bookstore over and over again, I am sorry it took me so long to read it.

The book begins with a phone call telling a sister that their father has suddenly died. After this phone call the drama begins.

The story begins with the decisions that have to be made by the four sisters; Renee, Colette, Glynda (Sissy), and Dawn. Each child is affected dramatically by their father's death. Each child has a different idea of how they want the funeral to be done.

There is also the situation with Edward's fiancee', Estelle. Two of the sisters have accepted the situation, two of them haven't, this causes another argument.

Then there is the mysterious Nina Blackford.

The characters were so realistic it was amazing. This book gave insight on what may go on when you are one of the people Sittin' on the Front Pew.

If you haven't read this book I suggest you run to the nearest bookstore and buy it. This is a book that you must have in your collection.

Ms. Parry Brown has once again penned another moving novel depicting real live problems and the way people deal with them. The talented writer has so eloquently written some of the happenings that family members face during their time of loss. She has even given us some of the dirt and other shocking family secrets are revealed. So roll up your sleeves and pick up a box of tissues, which you will need.
We are introduced to Collette, Dawn, Renee and Glynda who had gathered together to buy their beloved father who had taken care of them alone, after the death of their mother ten years prior. The sisters immediately started drawing battle lines over whether their father's fiancee. Estelle should be apart of making the arrangements. The siblings had some almost knock down drag out bouts from the color of their father's suit, to who would ride in the family car. To top thngs off, friends of the sisters were showing up expecting to be considered family and trying to get a ride in the family car. Thank goodness, their father's brother Uncle Thomas was there to keep everybody focused, as much as he could.
Their beloved father, Edward Naylor had been a pillar of the community and an excellent husband and father. However, when the family gathered to read his will and find out his final wishes for his burial, they discovered an insurance policy among the other policies with the name Nina Blackford on it. Who was this person? What does she have to do with their father? Why has no one in the family ever heard of her? Pick up a copy of the book and see what happened when the stranger arrived. You will not be disappointed. Friend Gurlz Book Club had a great discussion laughing about the memories of our family funerals.