Rating: 
Summary: Good, but a little disappointing
Review: I am probably one of the biggest fans of Ms. Deberry and Ms. Grant; however, I must say I was just a little disappointed with this book. It wasn't bad but considering I've been waiting three years for their second work - it didn't live up to my expectations. Tryin to Sleep was such a page turner, it kept my full attention throughout the entire book whereas Far From the Tree was a tad bit slow. I almost had to force myself to pick it back up. I was curious to find out the mom's big secret but other than that no thrills in this book. Good book if you're looking for the slow, non eventful type of read. I still look forward to your future work!
Rating: 
Summary: Are we really who we think we are?
Review: The better question is...Are we who everyone else thinks we are? I loved the story and I loved the fact even more that each issue was either resolved or alluded that it was on the right path to be resolved. The relationship that Della had with her girls. Celeste giving Niki her blessing to live her life. Della dealing with the demons from her past and Ronnie realizing that it was time to let the truth be known.
Rating: 
Summary: Tired of all the Whining
Review: Why do AFAM books always have to whine? Why does everyone have to be so unhappy...fretting and complaining? I bought this book after hearing a co-worker sing it's praises. Far From The Tree is the second African American book that I've read and it seems that all the characters do is critique and bad mouth each other. Nothing positive seems to go on in these character's lives. The family tree is definitely rotten, growing nothing but apples with worms.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Far from the Tree at All
Review: After reading Tryin to Sleep in the Bed You Made, it seems I've been waiting forever for the release of Far from the Tree. I love the way Ms. DeBerry and Ms. Grant can weave a tale. This novel was all that I'd hoped for and more. The story of Della, Celeste, Ronnie and all those who encompassed their lives had me going through all the emotions: uncertainty, fear, joy, pain, sadness, happiness and last but not least a love that never dies. This was such a powerful, moving and just plain wonderful novel. I can't say enough good things about it because when I finished the last page I almost felt like I'd come home. The bottom line is "don't let the good stuff settle to the bottom". Although Ms. DeBerry and Ms. Grant's books are far in between they are definitely worth the wait. Go get it and enjoy!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth The Wait...
Review: My book club and I were on pins and needles in anticipation of the 2nd novel authored by DeBerry & Grant. Once it was released, and I made my purchase, I dove into it, but found myself drowning in agonzing disdain for Odella, Celeste (esp. Celeste) and Ronnie! The first chapters of the book, were too drawn out, hence 4 stars vs 5.But things began to rock & roll once the Frazier women made it to a place called HOME! As it turned out, the novel was an Njoyable read, and as indicated, was well worth the wait!
Rating:
Summary: Far From the Tree
Review: The Los Angeles Black Women's Reading Circle chose this book for the month of November. I thought it was absolutely wonderful. I loved the strong relationships between the two sisters and their mother. There were many life lessons that can be learned by reading this novel. I enjoyed how the authors intermingled the past with the present. Writing like this is the reason why I love to read.
Rating:
Summary: not far from the tree at all
Review: I loved this book, it reminded me so much of my sister and I until i could not stand it, celeste and ronnie were so real until it was pitiful, and della was a mess, she reminded me of alot of hidden thought I had and never conjured them up after the fact. I loved the first book by this duo and i was not disappointed by this one, this book will make you confess something that even you forgot existed, I laughed and cried and could not put this book down, a must read
Rating:
Summary: Telling it like it is about mothers and daughters
Review: Stories that welcome you in from the very first chapter are rare and exciting discoveries that must be savored and shared. Thusly must I praise and recommend wholeheartedly Far From the Tree, by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, best friends whose mission is to tell it like it is about mothers, daughters, girlfriends and women in general. The authors' unusual practice of tandem writing in the novel format understandably might spawn skepticism, but fear not -- the writing is seamless, the story flows like a river, and the only difference in voices is that of the characters themselves. Celeste and Ronnie are sisters who are very different: Celeste is a rigid, controlling social climber with an obsessive concern for material possessions, social position, and propriety. Ronnie is a dreamer, an aspiring (and unsuccessful) actress/model who has trouble keeping a fixed address or phone number and who lives hand to mouth. Celeste and Ronnie inherit a mysterious piece of property from their recently-deceased father, Will, which elicits rage and hostility from their mother, Della, whose childhood home it was. Despite their mother's enigmatic protestations, the sisters decide to visit the house and land, located in a miniscule North Carolina town called Prosper, with an eye towards selling it. For both sisters, the trip is also an escape. For Ronnie, it's a way to regroup and strategize about her impoverished life as a would-be actress; and for Celeste it's a hideaway from her prying, highbrow, phony friends from whom she wants to conceal the fact that her husband, Everett, is on the verge of divorcing her. When the sisters start meeting the locals of Prosper who knew Della in her youth, they begin to learn details of the life she left behind and get an inkling of the traumatic events that caused her to leave Prosper, vowing never to return. A medical emergency involving one of her daughters forces Della to come to Prosper, and the secrets about their lives that were buried by both the daughters and the mother begin to surface almost of their own volition. The revelations bring the women together, and help them resolve their difficult, argumentative relationships with each other and the other people in their lives. According to the authors' postscript, the title Far From the Tree refers to the legacy of character traits that gets handed down from mother to daughter in succeeding generations. The authors' stated intent was to highlight the importance of learning from the experiences of preceding generations, to consider your elders from the point of view of their youth. In this story the catharsis comes when Della finally shares with her daughters the truth about her past experiences, her childhood, and the decisions she made as a young woman. The authors' premise is that much of Della's daughters' turmoil in their own lives was a result of not understanding why they thought and acted the way they did, having no knowledge of the mental and emotional inheritance they received from their mother: stubbornness, secretiveness, and an unwillingness to love unconditionally. This story is for real: the dialogue is realistic, the sibling rivalry feels familiar, and the ambivalence to share grown-up feelings with a parent makes one nod with recognition. Add to that a remarkable "you are there" quality of describing scenery and the characters' actions and thoughts, and what you're presented with is a very satisfying, emotionally-gripping, valuable story that has an important message to share.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece
Review: After about a 3 year wait, the dymanic duo of DeBerry and Grant are back with their 2nd novel, Far From the Tree. A lttle different story, but well told just the same.In Far From the Tree relationships between mother and daughers and sister are explored. They also explore how secrets can haunt you, can destroy you and can come crashing down. In FFTT, Odella buries her husband, and the secrets she has comes up out of no where. When Celeste and Ronnie travel to Prosper NC to check out their inheritance, they find more than a empty house. Not only do they learn about their mother and other family members, they also learn about themselves. These findings elict changes that makes the lives of these women more enriched. Its a wonderful story that you just can't miss.
Rating:
Summary: A stellar work
Review: I loved this book. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own experiences with life, love and family. Many of us have fled past pain and sorrows, not fully understanding the ramifications of our actions. Far From The Tree is a gripping novel that shows us that our experiences clearly define our make-up. There is not only good and bad, or happy and sad: Life is a gumbo that needs to be "shaken up, so the good stuff doesn't sit at the bottom."
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