It's A Thin Line [Paperback]

Kimberla Lawson Roby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

When Kimberla Lawson Roby burst onto the literary scene, her fresh, wise, and witty voice grabbed the attention of readers and critics everywhere. Now, with three Blackboard bestsellers to her credit, including the #1 Casting the First Stone, she is back with her most absorbing work yet----IT'S A THIN LINE.

Sydney, Gina, and Rick are siblings who have always shared a special bond, and yet their lives are as different as can be. Responsible eldest sister Sydney has everything she's ever wanted-a sexy husband, an adorable daughter, and fulfilling work. But, little by little, the demands of her writing career have mounted, leaving her little time or energy for family life. Meanwhile proud middle sister Gina is struggling to raise her eight-year-old twins-and protect them from the increasing fury of their volatile father. Impulsive brother Rick, the baby of the family, is living the high life-dodging commitment with his longtime girlfriend and wondering if the grass is greener somewhere else.

When their beloved mother Delores suffers a debilitating stroke, all three suddenly find the tenuous threads of their individual lives at a breaking point. A dark childhood secret threatens Sydney's secure world; Gina is swept into a maelstrom of domestic violence; and Rick comes to a dramatic crossroads in his relationship with his girlfriend.

Worst of all, the burden of caring for a parent is tearing the siblings apart, shattering their faith in one another. Now, as Sydney, Gina, and Rick struggle to overcome daunting obstacles and rebuild their lives, they will discover something they've never let themselves believe: that their most stable-and most cherished-relationships have always been with each other.

Once again, Kimberla Lawson Roby has woven a compelling saga that could come only from a genuine storyteller. Alternating between moments of poignancy and humor; filled with complex and recognizable characters, IT'S A THIN LINE is sure to delight her faithful readers, and win countless new fans.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Roby deals with many issues of family life, including birth order, sibling rivalry, domestic abuse, incest, and the emotional toil of caring for a sick parent. Three siblings, Sydney, Gina, and Rick, have always been a close-knit family. Sydney, the eldest, is the responsible, dutiful daughter, mother, and wife. Gina, the overburdened and misunderstood middle child, is the proud one. Rick, the youngest, is forever searching and very needy. They each find themselves challenged by insecurities and unspoken pain when their mother, Delores, becomes seriously ill. The burden of providing care for her surfaces buried emotions and forces resolution of real dangers. The sibling rivalries even during this stressful time cause them to question their relationships with one another and their mother's choices about her health care. Yet, somehow, even in the face of emotional situations and stark revelations, the sisters come together to support and provide the love and closeness that their mother raised them to share. Included here are book discussion questions and hotline numbers for domestic abuse, incest victims, and family caregivers. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is author of the nationally acclaimed novels CASTING THE FIRST STONE, HERE AND NOW, and BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. She lives in Rockford, Illinois with her husband, Will. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dafina (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575667444
• ISBN-13: 978-1575667447
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,133,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Honor, and Betray, Be Careful What You Pray for, A Deep Dark Secret, The Best of Everything, One in a Million, Sin No More, Love & Lies, Changing Faces, The Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, It's a Thin Line, Casting the First Stone, Here and Now, and her self-published debut title, Behind Closed Doors. Her 16th novel, SECRET OBSESSION will be released on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. She lives in Illinois with her husband, Will.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kimberla Lawson Roby has done it again, June 6, 2001

By 

Trevy A. McDonald (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's A Thin Line (Hardcover)

Sydney has the most loving husband, yet she finds it difficult to make love to him. Gina has a husband everyone loves to hate, yet she can't stop loving him, or his abuse. Rick lives with his fiancee' who only wants him to love her enough to set a date.

Three siblings, each very different and seeking a solution to their situation. They share a mother who suffers a stroke and has a brain tumor but do the siblings share the responsibility of caring for their mother?

Exploring domestic violence, fear of commitment and deep dark childhood secrets, It's a Thin Line is a must read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you haven't attended a booksigning by Ms. Roby you must come out when she is in your town again. She is friendly, personable and shares her journey from being a self-published writer to becoming the author of the #1 Black Board Book of the Year.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She Put Her Foot in This One...., May 9, 2001

By 

Jamil Nelson (Staten Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's A Thin Line (Hardcover)

I've read ALL of Kim Roby's books and It's a Thin Line is by far the best (and I thought Casting the First Stone was da bomb!) This books holds a special place in my heart because of the mother's terminal illness as was the case with my own mom's illness and the caregiving my siblings and I had to deal with...Kim 'puts her foot in this one' again with the complexity of caring for one's mother, the issues of the physical abuse of Gina at the hands of her husband (you wonder, why doesn't she just leave - but then you applaud her in the end!) and the brother, Rick, his own issues with commitment (a lot of brothers, I know are feeling this!)...Sydney, the eldest daughter appeared to have it altogether as far as her mother is concerned, but of course, there was always this "lurking" shadow that she just couldn't seem to get rid of, until....Oh, man, you gotta read the book!!!!Can't wait for your next one, Kim, 'A Touch of Reality' due out next spring...Write on my sista, write on!!!!!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drama In Da Family!, May 13, 2001

By 

Yasmin Coleman (PENNSYLVANIA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: It's A Thin Line (Hardcover)

Kimberla Lawson Roby fan's will be happy to know that she's back with another drama filled saga that touches nerves and emotions and that rings true of real life situations. It's a Thin Line is dedicated to anyone who has ever taken care of an ill or elderly relative, any woman who has ever experienced domestic violence and to everyone who has ever concealed a deep, dark childhood secret.

Lawson-Roby introduces us to siblings Sydney, Gina, Rick and their mother, Delores. When Delores suffers a debilitating stroke, it requires the helping hands of her 3 adult kids to assist in her recovery. As the wear and tear of taking care of a sick parent takes its toll the bond that once held the siblings together quickly disintegrates. They might share the same bloodline, but the similarity ends there as we get to know these 3 very different siblings. True to birth order, Sydney as the oldest is the most responsible sibling; Gina as the middle child has a hard time realizing that she can't please everyone and she can't make everyone happy; and Rick is portrayed as the weak-minded, indecisive younger brother. As such, Sydney is left to shoulder most of the burden of taking care of her mom, since Gina is dealing with a physically abusive husband, and Rick is agonizing over what appeared to be a small/petty matter...whether or not he should marry his long-time girlfriend, live-in fiancée.

It's a Thin Line is a book that makes you think about what you would do if you were in the same situation as the characters. As always, Lawson-Roby continues to give us a compelling story with memorable characters and one that will stay with you long after you've read the book. There were interesting sub-plots and the storyline could have ended up going in any number of directions, however, it appears that Lawson-Roby decided to focus on domestic violence. What a roller coaster ride that was; I felt like I was suspended in mid-air on an emotional roller coaster as I read Gina's story. In fact, Gina's story tended to overshadow the other characters and I was slightly surprised that it dominated the storyline until the very end. It would have been nice to have deeper relationships with the other characters, as well, especially since they each had equally interesting sub-plots. All In All, I believe that true Lawson-Roby fans will feel that It's A Thin Line was definitely worth the way.