Resurrecting Mingus by by Jenoyne Adams
By Yasmin Coleman • Nov 17th, 2009 • Category: Book Review 2009 •
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From the 2002 Archieves
Growing Up all Mingus Browning ever wanted was to belong, to feel normal and secure in a semi-perfect family. Now all grown up as a mature adult everything appears to be okay in her professional life as a successful lawyer, however, her personal life continues to stay in a rut due to one heartbreak after another. As she sits depressed over the breakup of her last boyfriend, she receives a phone call from her oldest sister, Eva. All hell breaks loose when Mingus learns that her father has left her white mom for another woman…a black woman no less. Mingus was unprepared for the dissolution of her parents 35-year marriage or the fact that life as she knew it would be ever shattered. Mingus is torn as she struggles to do right by her mom, although she’s always been closest to her father, Carl. As Carl pulls away from Mingus the hole he digs might be too deep to ever repair and the lives he shatters will never be the same again.
Resurrecting Mingus is a well-written, candid and poignant debut novel from Jenoyne Adams. Its a tale about growing up in an interracial family. A tale of secrets, deceit, betrayal and identity issues. The Browning Family truly makes you wonder how one family can appear so normal on the outside yet be so dysfunctional on the inside. As the family is engulfed by the affects of adultery, the bond seems to ravel as we discover secrets that have been hidden for over 30 years. One of the greatest strength of Adams writing is the character development and her ability to transition seamlessly between characters as she allows them to each tell their crucial side of the story. The reader is allowed to witness up close and personal the emotional side of the Browning Family. There’s Mingus, the successful younger daughter who’s only wanted to be loved and to belong. She couldn’t understand why her mother seemed to prefer her sister Eva over her. Mingus’ mom, Ellen, struggles to understand why her marriage collapsed. Seems she was more concerned about loving her husband than she was about loving herself. Mingus’ father Carl confronts his many mistakes and owns up to a few of them. Mingus’ older sister, Eva probably the least understood member of the family. As the story climaxes and comes to an explosive ending, Eva was the person who appeared to have no redeeming qualities and an individual that you loved to hate.
Resurrecting Mingus is appropriately titled as familial and personal events force Mingus to reevaluate her relationship with her parents as well as her feelings about her biracial identity. Resurrecting Mingus is a craftily written, riveting and poignant novel. Adams gives a new and different voice to a interracial marriage and the affect that it has on kids even when they’re grown. It’s a moving and touching story that you will ponder long after you read the last chapter. Pick up this book and discover this new author today.
Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
Visit amazon to order a copy of Resurrecting Mingus.
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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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Excellent review Yasmin sis! I remember reading and enjoying this book very much when the book club selected it. I had the pleasure of meetings Adams when she was in Dallas promoting her second book, SELAH’S BED. She is indeed a solid writer I wanted to write more books than she did. But I understand that her one-woman shows . . . .which were a mixture of song, poetry and dramatic fiction was what she was really involved in. Maybe she will be compelled to write another novel in this century.
Hey Marlive…I love Adam’s writing style and wish she were pushing out more books but I understand why she isn’t…just sad that she isn’t able to do both…write and do her one-woman shows…lol.
I love Ms Adams work, Resurrecting Mingus is a fave, I recently, believe it or not read Selah’s Bed and enjoyed that one as well~ I understand her, she has to do what she is called to do~
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