Hunger: A Novel (Hardcover)

by Erica Simone Turnipseed (Author)
Key Phrases: New York City, Mama Nature, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Turnipseed's well-received 2003 debut, A Love Noire, traced the unlikely relationship between Noire, a socially conscious doctoral candidate, and Innocent, a wealthy investment banker from Côte d'Ivoire. The author's sophomore effort revisits the same characters post-breakup and post-9/11. Back in New York after a predoctoral year in Haiti, Noire—broke, alone and still sans Ph.D. in comparative lit—grieves over the recent terrorist attack, only to be plunged further into despair by the death of her mentor, Bonita. Innocent, who has given up the hectic world of finance, is plagued by survivor's guilt and learns that a woman he slept with back in Côte d'Ivoire is pregnant, setting off a host of questions about where he belongs. Though Noire and Innocent find themselves back in each other's beds, it's a temporary fix; Noire heads for the therapist's couch, and Innocent travels to Côte d'Ivoire to care for his dangerously prematurely born daughter. Turnipseed is strong on sexual politics, but her boldness backfires with her use of 9/11, as the magnitude of that event makes Noire's angst come across as shallow self-pity. Despite that, Turnipseed writes with genuine and contagious affection for both Noire and Innocent, and she mostly succeeds in dramatizing their respective crises. (Sept.)
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Product Description

In Erica Simone Turnipseed's captivating follow-up to A Love Noire, heartache fans the flames of lust when freethinking Noire and Innocent, her urbane African ex, reunite.

Noire and Innocent are both having a thirtysomething crisis. His former identity as a successful investment banker and eligible bachelor has disappeared. A beleaguered graduate student, she's got no money, no man, and no Ph.D., yet. A year of predoctoral research in Haiti leaves Noire drained. And a trip home to Côte d'Ivoire offers Innocent little more than intermittent sexual gratification. In the aftermath of 9/11, Innocent and Noire are back in New York City and find solace in each other's bed. But even that arrangement collapses under the weight of Innocent's revelation that he has unfinished business in Africa. For Innocent and Noire, patching together their unraveling lives becomes an exercise in hope and humility. With Hunger, Turnipseed lives up to the promise of A Love Noire and has matured into a writer who fearlessly explores the intersection of sex, love, identity, and loss in a cross-cultural context.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (August 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060797304
• ISBN-13: 978-0060797300
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,022,339 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good read, January 9, 2007

By	Gina Nichole "Gina Nichole" (Compton, CA USA) - See all my reviews

If you read the first story then the conclusion will keep you engaged. It's very well written. You should read both books; A Love Noire first to appreciate Hunger.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Are You and What Does it Mean to Be You?, November 6, 2006

By	Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Erica Simone Turnipseed proves the sophomore flop did not befall her. Her acclaimed debut, A Love Noire, three years ago is complimented by her admirable follow-up, Hunger:A Novel, a heartfelt story with many of the same elements of global sensibilities, the Black Diaspora, a cosmopolitan flair and intriguing writing. Many of the same characters return and others enter to make this a satisfying novel.

So why rehash characters that you may have thought settled things in the first novel? That is the question I asked myself when I heard there was a "sequel." Rewind back to the year 2001 and the month of September and all the emotions and angst that brings upon all of us; more so to those who lived in New York City at the time. Noire and Innocent run into each other one year before 9/11 at JFK Airport; she on her way to Haiti for a fellowship appointment and he, with his mother, on their way to France. When they see each other again, it is at the funeral service for a mutual friend; a victim of the attack on the Twin Towers. In that year's time, Noire has been involved with Peter, a journalist from Port-au-Prince and Innocent has visited his home, Cote d'Ivore in Africa where he has a fling with Chi Chi. Both Noire and Innocent are floundering, with scattered emotions and feelings of being on hold; in suspense, so when they reunite it is a superficial coupling, riding on emotions brought by the 9/11 tragedy. Then news Innocent receives from home is life-altering and everything comes to a head.

Has everyone gone crazy as a result of 9/11? That is how it appears to Noire. Her parents have made a declaration that throws Noire into a tailspin. She questions her being a true friend when she feels awkward consoling a widow of the tragedy. When her mentor is killed in a plane crash, she feels her life has spun out of control. Meanwhile Innocent is trying to cope with his new status, struggling with what it means to be a man in his father's eyes and begins to question the meaning of home. Suddenly no one is immune, not from their innermost emotions, not from the constant suspicions at airports, not even from death. A world tragedy resonates inward as people try to come to grips with the frailty of splintered lives. On opposite ends of the world, Noire and Innocent are better able to analyze their respective situations.

This novel dealt more so with the internal effects of the couple, their families and loved ones. The cast of supporting characters both complimented and enhanced the story as we got a peek into their lives and their interactions with the protagonists. This is a must-read for those who have read ALN. I use "sequel" sparingly as the author informed APOOO BookClub that the publishers' phrase is "series". I think Noire and Innocent's story is finally finished and was done in a grand fashion.

Dera R. Williams
APOOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, October 18, 2006

By	mrblackman "mrb" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Just as she did in "A Love Noire," Erica Simone Turnipseed has written a novel that is smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking. However, Turnipseed has upped the ante with "Hunger," showing remarkable growth as a writer in the three years since her debut. This growth is reflected in the development of the characters and the growth that they experience in their own lives (though not always willingly) as they grapple with major life issues, including the personal and global impact of 9/11. This time, the stakes are higher for everyone and Ms. Turnipseed deftly shows that she is up to the challenge.

Also, a note to the fellas: Do not deprive yourself by assuming that this book is not for you. One of the things I most appreciate about "A Love Noire" and "Hunger" is that, unlike many other books, the men are fully developed characters - not caricatures - whose perspectives are given equal weight, care and respect. Take it from me, every guy should buy a copy and read it with his significant other (or someone you want to be significant). Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

I'm looking forward to Erica Simone Turnipseed's next book, as I have a feeling the best is yet to come!