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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
When Zora Met Nicky, July 8, 2008
This review is from: Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White (Paperback)
One does not know when or where love can be found. Nor does one have control over who they will fall in love with. Nicholas (Nicky) Parker was minding his own business, certainly not looking to fall in love, when he walked into a Bible class held at his boss' home. Looking for a deeper insight into the Bible, Zora Nella Hampton Johnson decided to attend a Bible class at the home of the white woman she befriended when she visited her father's church. She noticed the good -looking Nicky, but it was the traditional hymn they sang and heartfelt prayer, that had her on her knees and her butt in the air crying out to Jesus. Nicky and Zora felt the attraction but, because of their different backgrounds, getting involved in a relationship was the last thing they thought about. Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney is a novel about a relationship damned before it could begin.
Nicky, is the son of a racist southern Baptist preacher. He was supposed to attend seminary school and follow in his father's footsteps. However, Nicky really just wanted to be a writer, but was unable to write and was working as a snack machine stocker. One Sunday, Nicky walked out of church, disenchanted with his father's teachings and organized religion.
Zora, the Black American princess, daughter of a mega chuch pastor, had everything. She graduated from Spelman college and was employed at her father's church. She drove a Lexus and lived in an apartment with designer furnishings and expensive artwork, thanks to her daddy's generosity. Zora wanted to be a painter, but this occupation was unacceptable to her father, so she unhappily channeled her artistic expressiveness to please him. One Sunday, while listening to her father's new age sermon, and wanting to hear something more traditional, Zora walked out of church. It was the following Thursday, that Zora and Nicky met.
When I first began reading Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney, I became concerned that the author was going to bombard me with an overload of scriptural references and sermons. Even though there were a lot of biblical references, they were well placed and helped to illustrate the author's meaning. Ms Burney did an excellent job of developing the characters and allowing them to work through the emotional conflicts and inner turmoil they must have felt as they entered into a relationship that went against everything they had been taught or believed. Burney explored the sterotypes of both races and racism (subtle and intentional) and forced the characters to face their own prejudices. Her argruments were so precise, I found myself joining in the debates between Zora and Nicky. After reading this novel, one understands that getting involved in an interracial relationship is not easy; there is much to be considered. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it be added to your summer reading list.
Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gust of Fresh Wind, May 5, 2008
This review is from: Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White (Paperback)
Every once in a while, on that rare occasion, you come across an author like Claudia Mair Burney. Her style is like a gust of fresh wind, blowing in, spinning through your mind, uncovering secrets and polishing old truths to a new gleam. She makes you laugh out loud, gasp, and even cry.
The strange thing is that such gusto comes in the form of a love story--not my usual genre--between pastors' kids from opposite ends of the spectrum: beautiful and black, Zora, with her prosperity-minded parents; and white Nicky, a creative guy stifled by his family's uptight expectations. When Zora and Nicky jointly, yet in separate locations, flee their fathers' church services one Sunday morning, they are intent on finding something more meaningful than shallow religious games and societal pressures. They meet for the first time at a home Bible study a few nights later, and the spark between them bursts into a raging flame.
Burney does a great job taking us into the minds of these conflicted souls, as they work through issues of race, belief, unclean thoughts, and family conflicts. Each has a cross to bear that the other knows little about. And yet, through their constant seesawing of emotion and feelings, they hold strong to the best they see in one another. They're both exasperating at times, even stubborn--and that's what makes them so believable. How can you not love these characters?
In the end, Burney pulls these numerous, varied-colored threads of society, romance, history, and theology into one beautiful tapestry. She gives Zora a chance at reconciliation. She allows Nicky to make a surprising gesture of solidarity and servanthood. And, in so doing, she reminds me again why I can't wait for each of her books.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!, April 15, 2008
This review is from: Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White (Paperback)
This is my first time reading a book by Ms. Burney, but it certainly will not be the last. Her writing style is fresh, intelligent, introspective... Weaving in scriptures and songs were unique, interesting, compelling....the poetry and writing were wonderful, touching, heartfelt. The story is an interracial romance, but so much more as two people try and find their place in love, life and Christ. The interplay of family, race, "church life", stereotypes, friendship was thought-provoking. Most any reader will see themselves or someone they know in this book. What a wonderful love story on more than just a romantic level. I highly recommend this book and was sad to see it come to an end.
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