Customer Reviews

Water in a Broken Glass

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
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Like a lot of readers, I judge a book by its back cover. If you can entice me with the back, then you at least get a chance of having me BEGIN the book. Admittedly, the back of Odessa Rose's novel, WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS, wasn't what drew me into the novel, because once you have read it, you know that the back cover description just DOESN'T do this novel justice.

WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS is the tale of Tonya Mimms, a wonderfully talented sculptor, who has always felt that something about her sexually wasn't as 'normal' as all her friends. In her mission to be what everyone around her WANTS her to be, as well as the haunting thoughts of a high school incident that leaves her sexually-confused, Tanya finds herself immersing her entire being in the world of sculpting, and at all cost, avoiding love. Unexpectedly, she finds herself in a rainy day encounter with the handsome Malcolm Holland, a man who quickly becomes a part of Tonya's life, and whom Tanya falls head over heels in love with. Just when she thinks her life of career and love is complete, she meets the dark and beautiful Satin Pierce, a woman who has her once again, questioning her sexuality and what she truly wants out of life. Will Tonya finally learn to live for herself...or will she be swept into doing as others SAY? That's the big question in this romantic drama.

I was extremely impressed with Rose's grasp of language and description. An example can be found earlier in the novel, when Tonya has met Malcolm and goes on a bike ride with him:

"...I let out a little scream and grabbed him tightly around his waist, but I couldn't hold all of him. It was almost as if everything this man was and would be couldn't fit in my arms. And if I really wanted to hold onto him, I'd have to take pieces of him and streak them through my hair like dye, dab them behind my ears like perfume, stick them in my mouth like tongue kisses, and wear them on my legs like stockings. Oh, my hands could do wonders with his body, I thought."

Rose vividly describes her characters, and it was so easy to see them as the drama unfolded. Not only is WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS a romantic drama, but it also goes into self-discovery, coming-of-age, sexuality, self-esteem, with the ultimate moral theme being to follow your heart, to not let others keep you from your true happiness. Who you are and what you do may cause conflicts in your life, but in the end, if you aren't true to yourself, you're living a lie.

This was one of the first novels I've read where homosexuality played a theme with the main character(s), and Rose did an excellent job in writing the scenes and feelings of the characters in a tasteful and realistic manner.

It's a nicely paced novel that is both entertaining and thought provoking.

Shonell Bacon....

Water In A Broken Glass is a really good read.It gives a view of Afro-American Lesbians that is seldom addressed and it doesn't focus on the sexual aspect. It concentrates on the feelings of the people involved, their fears and expectations. Odessa Rose has really done her research and gives a real look into the lives of her characters and Baltimore City. It was great to read book that didn't have unnecessary sex or violence on every other page. I really liked it!

My only question is, why on earth is it out of print?? I am an avid reader and try to read most African American lesbian-oriented fiction that I can get my hands on. The sad thing is, there isn't much out there, and of that that is, there isn't alot that's good...or true. What's wonderful about this book is that it's both. It's great writing---strong plot, great character development and tight storyline. But more importantly, its TRUE. I could relate to every part of this story---both those that I've lived and those I've only heard about. And my partner and every friend I've told to read this book have all said the same. Please get this book back into print and then, Ms. Rose, please pick up your pen and let us know what happenend next! We're waiting with baited breath!!!

I have read this novel 3 times. The language is lyrical. The characters, people we meet everyday. The story nearly brought tears to my eyes, actually I did cry. This is a must read for lesbians, especially African American lesbians.

First time author Odessa Rose's novel, WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS, is a wonderful addition to any book collector's library. The manner in which Rose writes this novel is just as vivid and colorful as a newly painted portrait while at the same time drives home the lesson of being true to yourself.

She introduces us to Tonya Mimms, a sought out sculptor with the inability to commit to anything other than her art. Tonya spends the majority of her life hiding out in a studio on the third floor of America's Art Institute working on projects passed on by her mentor. She's been involved with men before, but never on a long term basis as something just doesn't click with her. Meanwhile, she's haunted by a girl (Meyoki) that she was drawn to in high school and questions her morals while at the same time trying to convince herself that the feelings aren't real. She's been taught by her mother that "women ain't supposed to run with other women" so she uses this thought as well as other teachings of going to hell if she sins in various manners. As a result, she spends all her adult life hiding from her innermost feelings and births sculptures that reflects what her mouth is incapable of saying.
It is during one of her times of trying to get away from her thoughts that she meets Malcolm Holland and instantly takes him up on a challenge. Just when Tonya manages to have both love and sculpting in her life, she meets Satin Pierce, an openly gay bookstore owner. Although sexually drawn to Satin, Tonya establishes a friendship with her and teeters on the edge of fulfilling the desires stewing inside her.

In spite of the comfort her sculptures offer, she quickly falls over the edge and a domino effect happens in her life causing her to lash out at the ones she loves as she deals with the decisions of choosing and following her heart or doing what she's been told is the right thing to do.

Odessa Rose has painted vivid descriptions of both the characters and the scenes in WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS and has given us an engaging debut novel. Though the book touches on homosexuality, a subject that isn't normally approved in society, Rose has done it in a tasteful manner that helps the reader understand the character's feelings. The plot is driven by both the desires and the judgment of the characters while teaching us to be ourselves and not worry about trying to live our lives to the standards that society or those around us have established.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Odessa Rose's debut novel, "Water in a Broken Glass" is a highly enjoyable exploration of a young African American artist's struggles with creative and personal issues. The characters are lifelike, and the plot is compelling. Ms. Rose has both a keen eye and ear for the details of life in Baltimore. Her descriptions of the lead character's fear and anxiety as she travels into the unchartered realm of a lesbian relationship capture the danger and delicacy with which one might sip much needed and desired water from a broken glass.The character's creative struggles are equally interesting, as she comes to terms with her heritage as an African American artist. Ms. Rose's smooth, flowing prose and her perceptive grasp of the characters' interpersonal relations make "Water in a Broken Glass" an extremely satisfying start to what should be a productive career as a novelist.

This was a wonderful book. Its about time someone explored or ventured out and wrote about us African Amercian lesbians. I was beginning to think we didn't exist.

It was very nice to read a book on bi-sexuality and the phobias that surround lesbians and bi womyn.

If you are bi or lesbian this is a wonderful book to read. It helps with the questions of "Why do lesbians shun me? And "Why can't bi womyn committ" It touches on some really key and valid points. Now stop reading this and buy the book. I ain't selling mine.....

This was definitely an exceptional novel. This book was a refreshing change from the usual love, sex, curses/slang, my boyfriend is cheating on me and I ain't right either type of African- American novels that are the majority on the market today. I am a Baltimore resident, which is where the book takes place and the accuracy and detail was amazing and could have only come from another Baltimorian. The multiple plots were very real situations told in such an accurate real way,As a lesbian I appreciated the author shedding light and truth on some very common sterotypes that plague the African-American homosexual community and that she didn't turn the main character's relationship with her female friend into a cheap(this girl is a freak) type of escapade. In the sub plots there was such warmth and realness that it left you concerned without over shadowing the main story line. Overall this was a great book and I applaud the author on her accurate detail to the setting and the situation content, Kudos for Odessa Rose!

I had the pleasure of talking with and purchasing the novel from Ms. Rose at our local mall and couldn't wait to read it. She's a wonderful person with an excellent book on her resume. The characters are written so you can see them and feel their pain. The sexuality, relationships and dissapointments are real-life.......it's the stuff we all have to deal with and nobody wants to talk about. When I finished the book, all I could think about was how brave Ms. Rose was to take this subject on. What a wonderful and honest book....it shows the authors own capacity to love.
I got so caught up in the book that I was sorry when I turned the last page because Tanya was just beginning her first chapter. Ms. Rose .......if you are reading this.....Tanya is not done yet!

Looking forward to the sequel.....Dawn (Security Square Mall)

Water In A Broken Glass takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. Rose makes you literally hate her main character, Tonya, and love the people involved in her life. So the reader reads on in order to root for Malcolm, Satin and Nikki. Brillant!