From the 2002 Archives

Bittersweet is Freddie Lee Johnson’s debut novel and is the story of three very different brothers and their struggles with marriage, relationships and life. It’s about their love (sometimes hate) affairs with the women in their life but more importantly it’s about their love for each other and the bond that holds them together. Bittersweet is a good story. It’s a positive portrayal of African American men who’re taking care of their families as well as handling their business. You know the brothers that we rarely hear about in the news and more often than not rarely make it to the pages of contemporary fiction. But Johnson flips the script with Bittersweet.

Nathan is the oldest brother, and a minister. But first he’s a man who has to wrestle with his human side. Temptation is front and center in his life regarding one of his parishioners and he must do penance and prayer double time if he’s to remain true to his vows. Victor, the middle son, is the brother who’s lived the thug/street life; he’s so different from the other brothers that one wonders if he had the same mother and father as his siblings. While Victor is rough around the edges and at times straight up ghetto, he still loves his daughter and is far from a dead beat dad even though his ex-wife often makes it difficult for him to share in his daughter’s childhood. Clifford, the youngest brother, is a loving family man with the wife from hell. Demetria is all about her and nothing else matters except her happiness by any means necessary. If there was ever a character you loved to hate it was definitely Demetria. Can we say sista needed a serious Beatdown?

While spouses may come and sometimes leave the Matthew Brothers know there is always one women who will always be their for them. The brothers were raised by a single mother whose abiding love and constant support held them together when circumstances threatened to tear them and their lives apart.

Johnson has written a compelling and poignant novel with Bittersweet. Bittersweet is a story about black men who love their families including their spouses, children as well as their Mom. These brothers are conscientious about their responsibilities and committed to making the world a better place for their families. So when obstacles come their way they don’t run and hide but step up to the plate and handle situations like a man rather than a boy toy. Each brother faces crises and drama that make him go deep within himself to find the strength and courage to succeed in spite of the adversities that land in his path. These characters demonstrate that Good Black Men do still exist and Black Love is still alive and abounding. If we’re willing to give each other a chance there is hope that any relationship can survive. I enjoyed the positive message of Bittersweet and recommend this book to others.

Reviewed by Yasmin

APOOO BookClub

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