Sugar

Rating:
Summary: Suberb & Fabulous
Review: "Sugar" by Bernice L. McFadden is this author's debut novel and what a striking launch for her writing career. A friend recommended this book and she said it was the best book she's read in over two years and this women ain't never told a lie! Ms. McFadden tells the story of Sugar with boldness and passion. I was amazed at how the story began to unfold connecting the two-neighboring towns with the secret of Sugar's heritage. The past and the present connected smoothly by using the memories of the characters as they reflected on past events. I certainly would not want to reveal the plot of the story and ruin the book for those who have not read it so I will simply say I strongly urge everyone to "buy the book". It's worth every cent. I will say that this novel has earned a place on my "FKS" (Forever Keep Shelf). I'm so glad I purchased the hard copy. Bravo Ms. McFadden, I cannot wait to read your follow-up novel. I give "Sugar" two thumbs up, a flute of sparkling apple cider, jumbo fried shrimp with a loaded baked potato and a cherry jubilee!

Rating:
Summary: A delightfully haunting tale!
Review: "Sugar" felt like a rare find, a precious jewel, and discovering long buried treasure. It's story was sad but captivating, it's characters so alive, I could smell the sweat from their bodies, hear the beat of the jukebox and sense their pain as if it was my own. Sugar the main character, just won't go away, won't leave my mind and I can't help but wonder what's become of her. (A sequel would be nice). This is one book I didn't want to end (and it's been a very long time since I felt this way.) I can't wait to read the next Bernice McFadden book. Kudos to the author, I hope to follow in your footsteps one day.

Rating:
Summary: Shocking
Review: A story of death and refining the lost of a loved one. McFadden writes with such crisp prose and draws you into the characters. A recommended read.

Also recommended reading is LUST OF THE FLESH, a pageturning, fast pace family/church drama. It is one of the best books I've read in a long time that will have you with you mouth opened. Excellent writing and storytelling. Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A well written debut novel!
Review: Being a girl raised in the South, and one who was born at the end of the 1950s, I must admit that Bernice McFadden's depiction of southern black life in her debut novel, SUGAR, is SURREAL. I have read a lot of compelling novels to date. But, I cannot recall reading one that held me spellbound by its vivid setting, characters, and language laced with southern idioms the way this novel did.

My first reaction while reading this book was a combination of shock and horror. The shock was due to the announcement that Pearl Taylor's fifteen-year-old daughter Jude was dead. The horror came when I learned that her killer cut away her womanhood with a knife and left it lying beside her body along the road. Jude's death hits this small black community hard because even though they suspect someone white did it, they feel there is nothing they can do about it. Therefore, it is not surprising that Pearl emotionally shut downs and withdraws from everyone including her sons and her beloved husband, Joe. Even though she physically moves about the community and continues to work faithfully in the church, she is numb to everything and everyone that is until . . . Sugar Lacey moves to town.

When Sugar, a young brazen prostitute, moves next door to Pearl and Joe at 10 Grove Street, life for this town and for the Taylors changes forever. Sugar's reception into the community was not a warm one. The women know right away what she is and hates her. The men are the biggest hypocrites of all. By day, they are content to show their disapproval of her like the women, but by night they visit her in hopes of sampling her sexual talents. The only person who does not approve of the town's treatment of Sugar is Pearl. Therefore, it will be Pearl's willing acceptance and genuine kindness that will forge a deep bond of sisterhood and true friendship between these two very different women. Because of Sugar, Pearl comes alive and begins to experience a passion for her husband that she lost after Jude's death. Because of the Taylors, Sugar begins to realize there is hope of finding true love and acceptance in her life. But, in spite of all the changes that occurs for Sugar and the Taylors, the threat of what happened to Jude comes back and strips away any peace and happiness they desire to find. To read SUGAR is to experience moments of awe, laughter, anger, shame, and pain. This is truly the best book I've read in a very long time!

Rating:
Summary: Good story
Review: I read this book maybe 2 or 3 years ago. While I cannot specifically remember everything, I do remember enjoying this story, and finishing it in less than 3 days! Ms. McFadden does an excellent job with this one. Great read, you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: JUST AN AMAZING STORY!!!
Review: In this wonderful story, Ms. McFadden takes the reader back to the small town of Bigelow, Arkansas during the 1950s. All is well in Bigelow, and everyone knows everyone else. But then a storm blows in, by the name of Sugar Lacey, and sets up house at #10 Grove Street. Everyone is curious; who is she? Where is she from? What is she doing here? Frustration and the lack of answers to these questions drives the good-hearted Pearl Taylor to Sugar's front door. But the door swings open, and Pearl finds herself confronting the tragedy that visited her family some 15 years ago. It was back then that her beloved daughter Jude was violently murdered, as a young girl. Pearl is shocked to find that the stranger from out of town looks so much like her lost daughter..and a friendship is born. Pearl's friends are shocked--how could a good Christian woman be around someone like that? Pearl tries to ignore the pleas of her friends--and the sounds of all of the men coming and going from Sugar's at all hours of the night--and befriends her anyway. But there is so much that Sugar hasn't shared--what about her family? How did she become what she is? As the story progresses, more tragedy unfolds and Pearl feels as though she must again live through the most horrific time in her life...

Ms. Mcfadden is one of the most gifted writers that I have ever had he pleasure of reading. That this is her debut novel is just impossible to believe. I enjoyed it immensely.


DYB

Rating:
Summary: very good and could have been great
Review: McFadden has a fascinating story to tell in "Sugar." At times the characters are crystal clear and the plot is riveting. She dribbles out details at a delightful pace. Best of all, it is difficult to see through to the end of the story, and this story made me want to get there.

Unfortunately, I can't read a novel without paying attention to the literary elements like imagery and character development. While the book contains more good stuff than problematic stuff, it does have a few issues that frequently jarred me out of the story's flow. Clearly, her intentions were good and right, and I usually thought that I knew where she wanted to go. However, the words - and therefore her pictures - often missed the mark.

Additionally, there are multiple occasions where the characters do or say things that are out of line with what is developed earlier in the book. The instances that I can recall, seem to happen at times where McFadden wants to move the plot more quickly or in a different direction and just doesn't take the time to do it more elegantly.

Maybe the things that I see as negative are due to this being a first novel. However, it seems to me that a good editor could have caught and helped to fix some of the difficult passages. I also think that this book could have been longer which would have given her more room to make graceful transitions and more words to develop her characters.

[McFadden is clearly very talented. She actually made me think of a Steinbeck wanna-be. She tries, in this book, to use words in a similar way, but just wasn't there yet. I'll have to check out her later writing to see if she gets there.]

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Read
Review: Ms. McFadden's writing style is rich, lyrical, and powerful, keeping you turning pages filled with characters that continue to haunt long after the last riveting page has been turned. She has skillfully woven a tale where the reader will be compelled to care for the characters. These are characters you feel you know and love. Ms. McFadden has done an excellant job in invoking compassion from her readers. I look forward to her next novel.

Rating:
Summary: Pages Readers Group Reads Sugar
Review: Pages Readers group gave Bernice McFadden's novel "Sugar" FIVE stars. SUGAR is a must read novel. Not only was the novel exceptionally written, Ms. McFadden took her reader through so many emotions then captured our hearts with the true meaning of "unconditonal love" through the lives of Pearl Taylor and Sugar Lacey.
Two women, whose lives were so opposite but so similar there was nothing left, except for them to bond and formulate a "mother-daughter" relationship in a funny, sort a way.

Sugar Lacey took Bigelow by storm, red dress and blonde wig. By storm in deed. All the men loved her; all the women hated her and wanted her gone from their little town. But Sugar wasn't leaving at least not with out taking a piece of Bigelow with her.
From the first time Pearl met Sugar there was something about her, something haunting. Sugar reminded Pearl of someone, someone from her past. Sugar reminded Pearl of her daughter; Jude, who was murdered fifteen years earlier.
Throughout all the sneers, back biting Pearl and Sugar forged ahead with their friendship, and through this relationship Pearl's life changes. Her so-called friends don't understand and her husband Joe, hardly recognize her. Pearl does her best to transform Sugar into a GOD FEARIN women but the wrath of Lappy Clayton and the women of Bigelow sent Sugar packing. But, not without giving them a piece of her mind.
Page's Readers Group enjoyed "Sugar" to the utmost and is looking forward to April's meeting to discuss Bernice McFadden's newest novel, "This Bitter Earth", the sequel to "Sugar."

Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: The story of Sugar is beautiful, tragic, happy, hopeful and sad all at the same time. Well-developed characters and wonderful writing and dialogue. The author is excellent! I highly recommend this one!