Big Girls Don't Cry (Paperback)

by Connie Briscoe (Author) "NAOMI'S HEART felt like it was doing the twist when she realized Nancy was about to sneak into the haunted house..." (more)
Key Phrases: Professor Hill, Atlanta Tech, Naomi Jefferson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
One black woman's journey to fulfillment is the subject of Briscoe's new novel. As in Sisters and Lovers, social issues play a large role in her heroine's story. In Washington, D.C., in the early 1960s, Naomi Jefferson agonizes over middle-class teenage concerns until her older brother, Joshua, a college student agitated about racism, dies under suspicious circumstances. A few years later, after some romantic disappointments and rough times in college in Atlanta, a chastened Naomi returns to her parents' home and finds work in a city councilman's office, where dim prospects for advancement?and an unhappy, drug-addled relationship?drive her back to school. Eventually, she joins a large consulting firm and gets engaged to architect Marshall Underwood. Then her plans are disrupted not only by the denial of a promotion but also by the sudden appearance of an unruly teenager claiming to be Joshua's son. Other complications ensue, but a happy ending for Naomi is never in doubt. Briscoe's pacing is brisk, and the plot touches on a range of key social issues: civil rights, affirmative action and intragroup prejudice. Although the dialogue is sometimes self-conscious, and Briscoe lacks Terry McMillan's brash zest, her empathetic portrait of a modern woman wrestling with issues of love, work and family obligations should add to her popularity as a chronicler of contemporary African American life. $150,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
When we meet Naomi, she is a typical 11-year-old with her head buried in a Nancy Drew mystery. But this is no fairy tale. Naomi grows up at a time when blacks are still turned away from fine restaurants and Martin Luther King is alive. Journalist Briscoe (Sisters and Lovers, LJ 4/1/94) skillfully tells the convincing and passionate story of Naomi's life with her parents, who are mildly concerned with Civil Rights issues, and her brother, Joshua, who becomes a rights activist at college. Naomi is still a teenager when King is murdered, and when Joshua dies in a car accident on his way to a Civil Rights rally, and her life is changed forever. Naomi is determined to follow in Joshua's footsteps but is disillusioned with her white-dominated college and further loses her grip on life when a major romance sours. As a dropout, she comes close to drug addiction, but Briscoe doesn't bring doom. Eventually, Naomi returns to college. Readers, especially women, will nod in recognition as brilliant and successful analyst Naomi tires of kicking against the glass ceiling, leaves her job, and starts her own business. This believable and wonderfully written novel is highly recommended for all fiction collections.?Corinne Nelson, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345413628
• ISBN-13: 978-0345413628
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,248,096 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Every Young Woman, June 22, 2000

By	"savvyblackreader" (USA) - See all my reviews

Connie Briscoe's BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY is a well-written novel that captures the readers soul. The novel spans the life of Naomi Jefferson, a young girl who lives through some of the most exciting times in our nation's history. She lives through the Civil Rights Movement, the seventies, the birth of the computer age and into our modern times. Along with the killings of several of our nation's best leaders, Naomi's brother, Josh, who had so much going for him, is killed in a tragic car accident---or at least that's what the police report claimed.

Evil roots of over-exposure to racism are what motivate Naomi into becoming a successful woman in all aspects. She matures during the computer age and goes against all odds career-wise, romance-wise, family-wise and most importantly she invests in herself and becomes more that she was ever expected to be.

Connie Briscoe brings real-world experiences and historical references to this novel and the outcoming result is a shining work of literary greatness!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love and purpose............................................, April 16, 2005

By	Nardsbaby "Connoisseur of the written word... (Westside Chi-town, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.

"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.

This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.

In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.

As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?

Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!, March 17, 2003

By	Y. Stewart... (Edmond, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Girls Don't Cry (One World Fawcett Gold Medal Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Briscoe has done a wonderful job in "Big Girls Don't Cry". This book will capture your attention, heart and soul. Naomi became my sister instantly as I related to her character. I could not put this book down and as a former television addict, that means alot!