Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do: A Novel
by Pearl Cleage
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Book Summary Information
Author: Pearl CleageEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-02-28
ISBN: 0345456084
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: One World/Ballantine
Book Reviews of Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do: A Novel
Book Review: Imagination is Key
Summary: 4 Stars
A buddy of mine suggested that I read this book because she and I were talking about different types of guys we'd date, and she said how much she felt like she needed a man like Blue. Curiosity got the better of me, so I picked up this book, and I definitely see why she had a literary crush on this main male character. The story is about a past drug addict named Regina who has gotten her life together, gone to rehab, and is now trying to get over her ex by doing something constructive and that she enjoys: speech writing for an old friend/now enemy Beth. Considering she and Beth don't see eye to eye but she needs the money, this is a little awkward for her, and the situation gets even more uncomfortable when she is hired to go through her ex's things after he passes to make sure there is nothing to harm his reputation, courtesy of Beth (her ex's mother). She has to find a new living space, and she moves into an area of Atlanta where there is no crime, no rapes, and women (and men) can walk safely around. Yeah, sounds a little suspect, right? Well, a mysterious man named Blue is in charge of making sure the neighborhood is safe. In addition to trying to get over her untrusting views on men, her beef with Beth, and her drug habit, she's on a mission to find out how is Blue managing to keep the neighborhood safe. But in the middle of all this snooping, writing, and living, she finds out her aunt's prediction about a past life may just be on the money.
Cons: The whole idea of reincarnation is always a stretch for me. I can't say I don't believe it, but I can't say I do, and once the conversation went into emperors, kings, and queens, my eyes started clouding over. That chapter was too far-fetched for me to get into.
I also found that extremely important conversations were glossed over when I really wanted to read them (ex. Regina knowing so much about Peachy's wife but there was never a conversation with Peachy about it nor did it seem realistic that Blue would tell her this stuff seeing as how he barely knew her in this life himself; Regina confiding in Blue about her drug addiction; no face-to-face contact with the king EVER). I got the feeling that the author wanted us to stay focused on the relationship between Blue and Regina and not get distracted by the political/social issues in the town, at least not the ones that didn't concern Beth or her son.
Pros: I loved every single thing about Blue--charismatic as he wanted to be. I could imagine how he looked, smelled, talked, walked, and I thought he was one great character. I liked Regina's down-to-Earth personality, and the conversation between the two, as well as all others, was realistic. The author made me do some research on some oldies when Peachy and Blue sang at the beach because I'd never heard "The Party" before. But what really got me about this story were the underlying themes written in conversation.
My favorite quote:
"You know what's funny about black women?" Blue asked gently.
"What's that?"
"They're the only women in the world that you have to talk into letting you protect them."
Those lines sparked some interesting conversation with a co-worker, and I ended up blogging on that topic. This was a really good read, and I enjoyed it. I'll definitely have to check out some more work from her.
Summary of Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do: A Novel
With the unique blend of truth and humor that made her first novel, What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day . . ., a huge bestseller, Pearl Cleage returns with an extraordinary novel that is rich in character, steeped in sisterhood, and bursting with unexpected love . . . and maybe just a little magic.Depending on the time of day, Regina Burns is a woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown or an overdue breakthrough. One shattered heart and six months of rehab have left her wary and shell-shocked?especially with the prospect of taking a temporary consulting job in Atlanta, a move that would allow Regina to rescue the family home that she borrowed against when she was ?a stomp down dope fiend.? Her stone-faced banker has grudgingly agreed to give her sixty days to settle her debts or lose the house.
Returning to Atlanta is a big risk. Last time Regina was there, she lost track of who she was and what she wanted. There?s a lot of emotional baggage with her new employer, Beth Davis. Can she really forgive Beth for breaking up her wedding plans on New Year?s Eve because she just didn?t think Regina was good enough to marry her son?
Meanwhile, Regina?s visionary Aunt Abbie has told her to be on the lookout for a handsome stranger with ?the ocean in his eyes? who has a bone to pick and a promise to keep. Then a blue-eyed brother appears on the streets of Afro-Atlanta wearing a black cashmere overcoat, flashing a dazzling smile, and lending a helping hand when Regina needs it most. But between falling for Blue Hamilton and dealing with Beth, secrets will emerge that will threaten to send her life twisting in surprising new directions.
Like a conversation with a good friend, Some Things I Never Thought I?d Do shares hope, love, and laugher. As always, it is Pearl Cleage?s unforgettable characters and her gift for dialogue that will earn this provocative new novel a place in the hearts of her growing family of readers.
From the Hardcover edition.
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