Life is Short But Wide by J. California Cooper
By Phyllis Rhodes • Apr 16th, 2009 • Category: Book Review 2009 •
Email This Post
• 
Print This Post
Author J. California Cooper takes us to Wideland, Oklahoma to chronicle the lives, loves, and losses of two families in her latest offering entitled, Life Is Short But Wide. A 91 year-old narrates the story and immediately espouses Cooper’s signature edicts of loving life, yourself, one another, and God. The “do right,” work hard, save money, importance of education, etc. lessons are also overtly and repeatedly layered in the stories of Val and Irene, Joseph and Bertha, and their children. Their courtships and hardships are fodder for the take-away lessons of living life to the fullest and appreciating who and what one has in life.
Those familiar with Cooper’s earlier work might experience deja vu with this new release. The characters evoke familiar auras of protagonists past; even their actions and reactions to physical, financial, and social challenges were evidenced in similar backgrounds and scenarios in The Wake of the Wind, In Search of Satisfaction, and Family. The reading experience is further diluted with some elongated passages and a tad too much repetition for this reader’s liking. Of course, this will not deter die-hard fans of the author who will want to purchase the novel to complete their collection. However, newcomers might want to consider this literary legend’s earlier works to experience her trademark bits of heart-warming anecdotes, down-to-earth wisdom, and folksy advice.
Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
CLICK HERE to order a copy of Life is Short But Wide and to vote accordingly for Phyllis’ review.
Related Posts
Phyllis Rhodes is a systems engineer with a major defense contractor and adjunct professor at two local universities in Orlando, Florida. A lifelong bibliophile, she founded the Nubian Circle Book Club in 2001 and is a freelance book reviewer for the Orlando Sentinel, APOOO Exchange Team, and Amazon.com. As a consummate fan of the arts, she supports local and national theatre, literary events, and Afrocentric festivals, exhibits, and historical tributes. When not traveling, teaching, or reading, she researches her family history and applies her talents across a host of professional organizations chartered to sustain and uplift the African American community
Email this author | All posts by Phyllis Rhodes
I really enjoyed JCC last Saturday night at Marcus Book Store. She is a great storyteller and this is why she has so many fans.
Dera Williams´s last blog post..Finally…My Favorite Books in 2008
Im in
i will be adding this to my collection of jcc
I completed this week, not the best JCC but enjoyable…I am a lifetime fan…
angelia
Angelia´s last blog post..WHO YOU LOOKING AT?
Thanks Tea,
I appreciate that…I LOVE THAT BABY…
angelia
Angelia´s last blog post..WHO YOU LOOKING AT?
I love J. California Cooper. I heard her on a radio station one time. She’s an interesting lady. She can really write.
Tea´s last blog post..White Rose by Amy Ephron
Hi Angelina,
I love that cute baby on your blog. My latest grandbaby is going on three months. Love your blog.
Tea´s last blog post..White Rose by Amy Ephron
I thoughly enjoyed “Life is Short but Wide”. All of the characters are warm and teaches us all a lesson about love, friendship, money management, and God. I especially loved Rose who in my estimation was the center of this novel. I like the life lessons that this novel teaches:
1. Think for yourself
2. Be a homeowner
3. Work on your dreams
4. Help somebody
5. God must be the pilot in your life
6. Love-love-love
7. Work hard. Save. Go to school. Learn something
8. Know God
9. Always have something that is yours