32 Candles: A Novel [Hardcover]

Ernessa T. Carter (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This debut novel of longing for family, love, and acceptance finds some interesting territory before settling too early into inevitability. Davidia Jones, a nerdy child of poverty, is abused by her alcoholic mother and despicable father and is the subject of merciless taunting at her high school. But it's the "Molly Ringwald Ending" that guides this fragile 15-year-old when she bolts town with a lesbian trucker named Mama Jane and lands a gig as a '40s-style chanteuse in L.A. With a little Hollywood stardust, she redefines herself and begins living the life she's dreamed of--until James, the rich golden boy she had a crush on back home, walks into her nightclub. Not knowing their connected past, James promptly goes gaga for the overhauled Davie, whose need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge to an otherwise predictable trajectory toward self-empowerment. New Agey embellishments (an "atonement list") seem like a misstep for a spirited heroine stuck in a middling narrative.
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Review

“[A] captivating debut. . . . With all the charm of a clever romantic comedy and peopled by appealing, memorable characters, Carter’s first novel is a winner on all fronts.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! She’s created one of the freshest, funniest characters I’ve ever read about. . . . 32 Candles is a charmer.” (Carleen Brice, author of Orange Mint and Honey )

“[Davie’s] need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge.” (Publishers Weekly )

“First there was Stella and she got her groove back, then there was Bridget Jones and she managed to find love despite her own lovable neuroses. Now there is Davie Jones. 32 Candles, at last, is the answer to the question ‘What should I read next?’” (Erica Kennedy, author of Feminista and Bling )

“This summer’s juiciest beach read. . . . Carter winds up this disarmingly moving tale with not one but many surprises, in which both Davie and you will win.” (Essence )

“This is an easy 5 out of 5 stars and one of my top five favorite fiction novels I’ve ever read in my entire adulthood.” (Associated Content Review )

“The author creates a heroine that is multifaceted, quirky, humorous and above all, endearing. . . . 32 Candles [is] a laugh-out-loud read that’s never disheartening or too depressing. . . . Hang on for the ride.” (The Afro-American Newspapers (DC/Baltimore) )

“I super heart Davie Jones. . . . She’s perfectly imperfect, and you won’t want her lively, hysterical, what-looks-like-crazy-on-an-ordinary-day story to end. A thoroughly, totally, ridiculously addictive read!” (Denene Millner, coauthor of The Vow )

“A debut tragicomic romance. . . . Potent and well rendered.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“First-time novelist Ernessa T. Carter has created a quirky and likable character in Davidia “Davie” Jones.” (Network Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061957844
• ISBN-13: 978-0061957840
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #87,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining, April 22, 2010

By	cmp (Merrimack, NH USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: 32 Candles: A Novel (Hardcover)

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I truly enjoyed this book. I have next to nothing in common with the main character - except that I love Sixteen Candles - but I didn't feel left out, or that I didn't know what she meant or why she did the things she did. The author has a knack of making even the "crazies" very sympathetic. The characters are flawed, but not in an unappealing way.

The writing was nice and tight. I didn't run across any errors or choices that made me cringe, which is always nice. This was a quick read for me. I started and finished in one evening, but I also didn't want to put it down until it was done, which is a great sign.

The book is divided mostly into "Then" and "Now" sections, with some others along the way, and the first "Then" section was maybe a little slow to get going. We needed the background to understand what happened later, but it was the slowest-moving part of the book for me. Otherwise, the pacing was good and I didn't mind the jumping around in time. Sometimes in novels it's jarring, but this made sense and was well done.

I'd recommend this to fans of slightly more serious chick lit. It's funny in many ways, but can also be saddder than more humorous offerings like those from Helen Fielding and Sophie Kinsella.

Fans of the movie Sixteen Candles would also enjoy this book. ;) In fact, I think it would help to be up on your John Hughes canon, or you'll be missing something.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure magic., June 22, 2010

By	JRose364 "J-Ro" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 32 Candles: A Novel (Hardcover)

You know those movies that make you want to stand up in the theater and cheer? Well, I had that feeling while reading this book. Davey is the very best of protagonists: we can all sympathize with her early life (ugly duckling, high school social difficulties); we can also, vicariously, thoroughly enjoy watching as things get better, and downright triumphant, when she grows up (her transformation into a successful, soulful chanteuse). This isn't all sweetness and light: Carter does a great job of making the story amazingly believable, yet taking us to places we can only imagine experiencing in our own lives. When Davey sings for the first time, I got chills. The love story is compelling. The characters are vivid.

32 Candles does a very good job of straddling the divide between chick lit (it's not about shoes! I hate books like that) and literary fiction (I grinned and giggled while reading this). I suppose I'd call it upmarket women's fiction. Women who like reading about pink drinks? They'd like it. Women who think shoes are dumb? They'd like it too.

This is smart, sassy, and so uplifting. A perfect book for summer.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Ms Carter, June 24, 2010

By	Dianne S. Tetro "www.booksandchat.net" (New England) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 32 Candles: A Novel (Hardcover)

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32 Candles by Ernessa T.Carter

There is only one bad thing I just have to say about this book, and it is - do NOT do like I did and start reading it at 10 pm. I could NOT put it down; so inevitably I was up until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, reading this fabulous book.

This book is a mixture of "chick lit" and serious prose. With a lot of chuckle worthy parts and many more parts that will have you running for the tissue box. The combination of tight writing and plotting, perfect timing with the comedic and dramatic bits, having both sympathetic and non sympathetic characters and lessons in pop culture in the 80's and 90's makes this a book that I can absolutely see becoming a movie. This was written with an excellent use of first person writing and I never regret not hearing the voices of the characters.

I can easily see that this "ugly duckling" coming into her own, story is going to strum the heartstrings of many people out there. This is book written for all ages to enjoy; you will love it and be able to both sympathize and cheer for Davie no matter what your age is. I'm well into my 50's and could totally relate to this character.

This is really one of the best books I have read from this particular genre in ages and I can't wait to read more from Ernessa T Carter. I can easily see Ms Carter's writing eventually surpassing authors such as Terry McMillan.
Brava Ms Carter and thank you for the sleepless night and hours of pure enjoyment.