Living on the Edge of Respectability by Suzette Harrison
By Yasmin Coleman • Feb 9th, 2010 • Category: Book Review 2002 •
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FROM THE 2002 Archives
Living on the Edge of Respectability (Living) is an engaging, entertaining and delightful story from first-time novelist, Suzette Harrison. Harrison takes us into the lives of three young professionals…Vanessa, Reina and Chris (the lone male of the threesome). Friends since college, they’ve been through many trials and tribulations, but they continue to plow forward and come to terms with some hard life truths. Each of them is currently “Living on the Edge of Respectability” as they deal with serious and sensitive issues of obesity, abandonment and secrets regarding a parent’s death. Told in alternating voices, the plot thickens and takes on surprising and sometimes shocking turns and twists as each character shares their story.
Living is a great summer/beach type read that moves quickly. From Chapter One, I was captivated and held hostage until the last page. The characters while flawed were lovable. I cried, laughed, became angry, frustrated, and was saddened by events in the characters’ lives. I felt like a family member for the few moments that I was allowed into their lives.
Living is an emotionally powerful story filled with wit, humor, candor and vivid imagery. It is a story about friendship, family and relationships between the opposite sexes. The storyline was wholesome and clean and as such a book that could be read by almost anyone without embarrassment. I recommend Living to others who are looking for an entertaining, fast-paced, summer read and one that positively reflects African American males and females. I look forward to other works from this talented author.
Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
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Yasmin Coleman is a literary publicist and promoter, book reviewer and founder of APOOO Books and BookClub. In 2000, she founded APOOO, www.apooobooks.com, an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African-American literature.
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