Customer Reviews

This Side of the Sky

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While the above title may not sound interesting to some, Elyse
Singleton's This Side of the Sky, is a glimpse into the complex lives of Black women during the 1930s and 1940s. Singleton creates an epic story of the lives of two women, capturing their tumultuous childhood and adolescence and their remarkable lives as adults.

Throughout their childhood, Lillian and Myraleen believe that there is more to the world than what Nadir, Mississippi can offer. As Lillian says, "...Mississippi was just the slow, painful way of spelling hell." Lillian's inquisitive spirit cannot soar to it's full potential with the limited
opportunities that life in rural Mississippi offers. The customs and expectations of life in Nadir continually stifle Myraleen's feisty and headstrong nature. What Nadir lacks in opportunity, it is enriched with characters who shape Lillian and Myraleen's lives - Mudear and Mercy, Lillian and Myraleen's well-intentioned mothers; the Taylors, the only Black family in Nadir to own their own farm, and Kellner, a mysterious German POW, who works on the Taylor's farm.

At 26, Lillian and Myraleen act on the realization they have held since childhood, and head for Philadelphia. Here they find the hustle and bustle of city-living exciting, but still encounter the harsh realities of life in the North as Black women. When the opportunities in Philadelphia do not meet their expectations, they take another bold step, and join the Army, towards the end of World War II. Although they spent their time in the military away from the battlefield, the lessons learned in war leave an indelible impact in their lives. At the end of the War, Lillian stays in Europe, going to school and searching for a lost love, while Myraleen returns to Philadelphia, regretting the marriage proposal her willful nature would not let her accept.

Singleton is truly a gifted writer. The structure of this book held my attention and kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. Her descriptions were so vivid that the heat of Mississippi, the confines of tenement living, the exhilaration of doing the jitterbug for the first time, the fear and exhilaration of falling in love, and the war-torn streets of London came to life as I read this book. In fact, I strongly believe that this book would make a wonderful television movie or miniseries.

Tameshia
R.E.A.L. Reviewer

I just completed this novel and I must say that it was excellent. It was quite obvious that the author had done extensive research into her subject matter. It was a poignant look into history and how African American women had to struggle in a world where they were often looked upon as inferior. Everything from the descriptions to dialogue was well-written and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Singleton's work.

I enjoyed this book very much. As other reviewers commented the characterization could have been stronger but put that aside and this book stands out. It's well written. The little known history of the Black WACs was fascinating. Ms Singleton was able to swiftly take the lives of two little girls all the way through to their 80s with little to no effort at all. The novel breezed along! Myraleen and Lilly's lives spanned decades but never once bogged down. Really, a great book!

This Side of the Sky is a beautiful story of two life long friends, Myraleen and Lilian, who grew up in Nadir, Mississippi and went on to see and experience the world. Sometimes tragic yet always poignant, Ms. Singleton's novel is an enthralling read. The time period of this novel spans over 70 years- from the 1930s when the girls lived with the constant reminder that the color of their skin precluded them from reaching the highest heights, to the year 2000 when color is a hue on one spectrum.

It took a good 50 pages to draw me into the characters. Many times Myraleen and Lilian looked at the same situation from different perspectives. I found it amazing how captivating their friendship was. It endured a lifetime with hardly a disagreement or regret. Ms. Singleton's research made This Side of the Sky come to life. The historical accuracy of the plight of African American's during periods of social change in our country kept the characters fresh and my enthusiasm to read was intensified. The social aspects of their relationships with others made reading multidimensional. I even received an education, learning that there was a far greater contingent of African Women who served as part of the Women's Auxiliary Corps in World War II than I imagined. Rising from seemingly hopeless childhoods to become well-rounded, well-traveled, well-versed ladies who enjoyed their lives, This Side of the Sky drew me in and kept me until the end.

This is a story of two young black southern women determined to leave the south and make life work for them. It is written in a fresh, intelligent, witty and honest voice, compelling and beautifully crafted. The characters are colorful, adventuresome, strong-willed, bright and intriguing. Singleton is a wonderful storyteller. I'm waiting for more.

What first time author Elyse Singleton has done within the pages of This Side of the Sky is truly remarkable. She has taken missing events from a history book detailing the impacts of poverty, puberty, and racism of two African American women and the events leading up to World War II and afterwards. Singleton has written a story that isn't easily labeled because it is so much more than simply a historical fiction novel.

It touches on the love and friendship between two best friends, Lilian Mayfield and Myraleen Chadham, their joint and individual triumps, hardships, and romances in a small town in Mississippi. It also shares their contribution to history as WACs and their efforts in the war, stationed at a base in England. Additionally, we see the lengths they'd go to support each other, in spite of the economic times during the war.

The story is written in a warm, poignant and enlightening literary tone while at the same time it entertains, educates, and portrays more about this time frame in history than the average history books. It also does a wonderful job of sharing the lesson of looking beyond a person's skin color to determine their value. The characters are well developed and will stay with you long after you've finished reading. I definitely recommend this book and would encourage anyone to pick it up regardless of your preference in genres.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal

Sometimes a first novel is a homerun; this is the case with This Side of the Sky by Elyse Singleton. Beautifully written and creatively crafted by a fresh new voice in fiction, Singleton's debut novel is vividly detailed and movingly awesome. This Side of the Sky is a unique story as Singleton shares with us a time in history that is seldom written about and often overlooked.

Singleton introduces us to lifelong friends and two great African American heroines, Lillian Mayfield and Myraleen Chadham. Mayfield and Chadham's friendship is one that would begin in the early 1900s and span into the new millennium as they charter life through unknown territory. They would survive the harsh realities of segregation, racism, broken romances and economic hardships as they search for their rightful places in rural Mississippi, Philadelphia, PA, an army base in England, and postwar Paris.

This Side of the Sky portrays life for African American women during a time where we are mostly forgotten and rarely (if ever) mentioned. It was engrossing and compelling to read about two African American women who were WACs during WWII and the problems they faced as a result of gender as well as race. Singleton writes with vivid imagery and fluid dialogue and makes the reader feel as though they are there in history experiencing events along with our heroines Lillian and Myraleen.

Historical fiction fans (and those who are not), folks interested in reading about women of color during WWII and those who enjoy a good romance will enjoy This Side of the Sky. Elyse Singleton is an excellent storyteller and I highly recommend her novel to those who like literary reads with a universal appeal, timeless subject matter and stories that entertain as well as enlighten. I look forward to reading future works from this gifted and talented author.

Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

This is Singleton's first and to date only novel I can find but man it was a good one. It is rare that you come across a little known book that is thoughtful, textured with layers of characters and plots. I thought it was as good as "The Help."

I have always been an avid reader since I was in elementary school. I read this book sometime between my eighth and tenth grade the summer before school started back up again. I walked past this book, read the cover slip, put it back, but one day, I brought it home from the library and loved it!

I'd given up on modern Black authors at such a young age. The material at the local library and at school were horrible, and material from Black authors was scarce and sub par (save for the 'classics'). This book was so right on time for me. It was a love story, a work based on historical action and events, and the book showed that black women were more complex, capable of being love, and loving.

I didn't grasp fully what this book (and most things about life)were at the time, but this book is timeless. I absolutely loved this book.

Ms. Singleton has penned a beautiful, breathtaking novel that is both poignant and humorous, raw and refreshing. Her style is lyrical yet down-to-earth, comfortable as well as beyond the norm. I loved Myraleen's sass and Lilian's unexpected sophstication. These two women juxtaposed yet completed each other. Their characters were as different as their complexions; even so their love was tried and true. The departure from Nadir, MS into war-torn Europe was accomplished so smoothly that it was not a jarring transition. Despite my extreme dislike of "war stories" I was intrigued. How could I be otherwise? "This Side of the Sky" is absolutely beautiful!