What You Owe Me [Paperback]

Bebe Moore Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2009

Los Angeles, l945: When Hosanna Clark, newly arrived from the farm fields of Texas, befriends Holocaust survivor Gilda Rosenstein, she opens the door to a new life for them both. Using Gilda's knowledge of cosmetics and Hosanna's energy and determination, they begin producing a line of lipsticks and lotions for black women. The two are more than partners: They are dear friends.

Then Gilda suddenly disappears, taking all the assets. Hosanna is doubly betrayed: financially ruined and emotionally bereft. When, years later, she passes away, her small cosmetics company dies with her. But Hosanna leaves behind a daughter steeped in her mother's pain: Matriece is as smart and driven as her mother and savvy enough to recognize that white firms are competing not only for black consumer dollars but for black professional talent as well. When Gilda's huge cosmetics conglomerate hires her to launch a line of black beauty products, Matriece takes on a mission to collect her mother's debt.

What You Owe Me is a stunning account of the changes we have seen in white attitudes toward blacks, but it is also a sensitive look at what betrayal-of friendship, of love-does to us all. Ultimately, it is a moving book about healing. As Emerge magazine acknowledged, "Campbell's writings are a beacon of light, helping assuage the anger by tending our deepest wounds."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The friendship between a black woman and a new immigrant in 1940s California sets in motion events that span two generations in Campbell's (Singing in the Comeback Choir) densely plotted new novel. Hosanna Clark, a maid at an elegant Los Angeles hotel, befriends her new white co-worker Gilda Rosenstein, a Holocaust survivor whose family had owned a cosmetics factory. When Hosanna tries a special lotion Gilda has made, she persuades Gilda to produce it for Hosanna to sell to local black women. They are very successful, and at Gilda's suggestion they open a joint bank account. Not long after, Gilda and her new husband disappear with all their profits. Daughter Matriece, a witness to Hosanna's struggle to survive on her own, resolves to achieve the success her mother never had; she eventually becomes a division president in Gilda's cosmetics empire. Ignorant of Matriece's identity, Gilda mentors the young woman, with whom she feels an unexplained bond. Gilda's reaction, when she finally learns the truth, is unexpected, and she startles everyone with a surprising proposal that brings the story to a neat conclusion. Numerous subplots crowd the novel, covering issues from reparations and education to romance and betrayal. Campbell's detailed treatment of each accounts for the book's length, but all are credibly tied to the central tale. Character portraits are sometimes shallow, and the story's length tests the reader's stamina, but those with the patience to follow its intricate, entwined relationships will find the novel rewarding. (Aug. 6)Forecast: This wide-ranging effort is most reminiscent of Campbell's 1994 Brothers and Sisters and is positioned to perform just as strongly. First serial went to Essence magazine, and the book has been chosen as a main selection of the Black Expression Book Club and as an alternate selection of BOMC, the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club and QPB. A major ad/promo campaign and a 27-city author tour will cover all conceivable bases.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Campbell (Brothers and Sisters) here tells the story of Hosanna Clark, a black maid in a Los Angeles hotel, and her surprising relationship with Gilda, a white Jewish migr e from Poland. Just after World War II, the women join forces to promote a hand lotion that Gilda makes, with Gilda managing the financial end of their newborn partnership and Hosanna hustling the product. But just as they quit their jobs to make cosmetics for black women full time, Gilda disappears, as does all the cash in their joint bank account. Gilda starts her own cosmetics company, which brings her both fame and fortune, and Hosanna passes her jealousy, anger, and thirst for revenge on to her daughter, Matriece. Matriece goes to work for Gilda after Hosannah dies, with unfocused plans for revenge, but the crisis is unexpectedly resolved, with a happy ending for everyone. Campbell freights her story with ethical and religious messages and abundant black/white and parent/child conflicts it cannot quite sustain. Though the characters are well drawn, they are stereotypical, and their dialog is thin and somewhat stilted. Not as convincing as her other works but still a good read; recommended for public libraries. Joanna Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425227669
• ISBN-13: 978-0425227664
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Revenge, August 12, 2001

By 

Dawn R Reeves "tamardi" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What You Owe Me (Hardcover)

When you look at this book you may gawk at the length but as you read you will forget about the size and be mesmerized by the story. What You Owe Me is the story of Hosanna Clark and Gilda Rosenstein. One black, one Jewish, both determined to become successful businesswomen at the end of World War II. Hosanna has the desire while Gilda has the formulas to form a cosmetic company.

Fast forward to Matriece "Triesey" Carter, she is the daughter of Hosanna. Matriece makes it her personal mission to avenge what she believes is Gilda's betrayal of her mother. This is done at the expense of her relationships with others.

There are many other characters with their own stories. Campbell weaves this tale so that everything and everyone's story has closure and just maybe a little too "happily ever after". You have Vonette, Matriece's sister, and her Mexican brood who was not interested in Hosanna's dreams. Uncle Tuney, Hosanna's brother, and his decades-long litigation against a Texas magnate to regain his family's land. Blair, Matriece's friend from the old neighborhood who "made it". Mooney, Hosanna's financial "backer". The Montgomery family, a rhythm and blues star, Gilda's children and a host of other characters. There is more to say about the characters and their stories but to do that would give the story away and this is must read from a fabulous author.

I enjoyed how the book opened and ended with the voice of Hosanna. She boldly claims "closure is what I'm seeking. Death ain't nothing but another opportunity." What You Owe Me should appeal to all because demonstrated are relationships across racial and economic lines and also some classism within a class. Campbell demonstrates that money can not buy happiness and love but love of family, despite material wealth, can bring so much joy.

This is an excellent selection for any reading group, as it would provide a lively and lengthy discussion. This is a moving account of betrayal, love and healing.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich In African American History and Awesomely Told!, August 13, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: What You Owe Me (Hardcover)

Bebe Moore Campbell continues to prove that she is a gifted storyteller and her latest novel, What You Owe Me lived up to this reader's expectations! Initially, one might be daunted by the thickness of the book...but make no mistake by delay reading this book...cause it is truly a page turner...in fact the writing was so compelling that I tried to read this book in one sitting and almost succeeded. The story is well-crafted with a good storyline; realistic and dimensional characters; vivid imagery and shocking plot twists and turns.

In spite of better race relationships today, it is still often surprising to hear of an African American and a Caucasian being good friends more or less business partners. So, of course, this was even more surprising and suspicious when Hosanna Clark(an African-American woman) and Gilda Rosenstein(a Jewish woman) decided to embark on a friendship and business venture in the 1940s. As many would predict, the business would take off and be successful, however, Gilda would disappear along with the assets. Hosanna would be doubly betrayed: financially ruined and emotionally bereft. Although, Hosanna would make a go at it as a solo entrepreneur, she would never achieve the fame or status that she deserved and years later, when she passes away, her small cosmetic company dies with her. But Hosanna leaves behind a daughter, Matriece, who is determined to right the wrongs suffered by her mother by taking on a mission to collect her mother's debt.

What You Owe Me is a story that spans 50 years and introduces one to the lives of Gilda and Hosanna as well as their offsprings. While the story is primarily about Gilda, Hosanna and Matriece...their stories are intertwined with a host of secondary characters in the book as well as the subplots involving these secondary characters. Campbell exposes us to the themes of friendship, education, absentee parents, interracial relationships, parent/child relationships...but resounding throughout all of the themes and relationships is "what you owe me". In the end, Campbell shows that understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and reconciliation are necessary in order to come to terms regarding troubles of the past and to heal from the wounds of yesterday.

Pick up What You Owe Me by Bebe Moore Campbell today! This is an engrossing and emotionally rich story that you will want to read and experience for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed in this stellar novel from Bebe Moore Campbell.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, September 1, 2001

By 

"buhaganii" (BROOKLYN, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What You Owe Me (Hardcover)

What You Owe Me opens p with Hosanna Clark, Gilda Rosenstein. Gilda opens the door to somthing special for both of them With Gilda's knowledge of cosmetics and Hosanna's energy they start of producing lotion for black women. Gilda and hossana become partners, they become friends as well.

As time goes by they are doing well but Gilda somehow disappear and take all the assetes that they made. Hossannafeels betrayed and finacially ruined. Hosanna's tries to persue her dream alone but we all know that back in the 1940's no AA could not start there own business and succed, years latershe pass away and her small business dies with her.

Hosanna leaves behind two daughter Vonetta and Matrice. Matriece is smart and determined as her mother Matriece starts recognize that white firms are competeing not only for black concumers but also for black professional talent.

Matriece decides to take a mission to collect her mother debt.

Bebe Moore Campbell takes us on a trip down the road in the 1940's this was and excellent book this story as many characters but all storied have a closure it was just a excellent read . if you have not picked up a cop of What You Owe Me. what are you waiting for?

Peace Love and Blessings goes out to Bebe Moore Campbell