Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: Paperback, 400pp
ISBN-13: 9780451233387
ISBN: 0451233387
(Received for an honest review from Berkley NAL)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound
Cheryl Robinson on the WEB: website, facebook
Excerpt from Remember Me
Book Trailer:
Synopsis:
What happens when the loyalty that defines the friendship of two women is tested? For Mia and Danielle, finding the answer takes a lifetime...
Mia Marks was an independent black girl from inner-city Detroit with an eye for the hottest fashion and a penchant for the good life. Danielle King was a soft-spoken suburban white girl with artistic ambitions. When they met at an all girls Catholic high school, neither expected to form a deep bond that transcended race and background and lasted for years. And neither could have anticipated the one indiscretion that destroyed their friendship.
Twenty years later, Danielle is a successful novelist living in Miami. Mia is a school-teacher in Detroit. But they're still on common ground. Both are unhappily married and raising teenage daughters, and both are far too proud to make the first move to reconnect - until tragedy brings them back together in the most unexpected way.
Now they must confront the past, discover its untold truths, and learn to survive the increasing complexities of their lives and of a friendship destined to endure.
Thoughts:
Cheryl Robinson takes up the challenge of interracial relationships in her latest book, Remember Me. This is the story of two girls, one black, one white, who forge a friendship in the turbulent environment of the 1970's. Robinson's ability to show readers the bonds of friendship and how it can be tested by circumstance, outside influences and tragedy will draw the reader in and give them an experience they won't soon forget.
Mia Marks was one of the few black students in an all girl Catholic high school. Danielle King was the suburban white girl who stood up for her against a racially bias teacher. The girls form a strong friendship that lasts into their college years before a series of bad choices breaks it a part. Now twenty years later they are about to be reunited in one tragic night that ends them up at a hospital and puts them once again in each others path. Both women have successful careers and beautiful daughters, but their marriages are less than happy. Can they put the past behind them and build a future that includes each other? Or do some hurts just go too deep?
Cheryl Robinson has created a story that explores the bonds of friendships between women. Danielle and Mia come from very different backgrounds and I was initially impressed that Danielle would take that step to make Mia a part of her everyday life. This was the 70's, it wasn't exactly accepted by many for two girls of separate race to be acquaintances, let alone friends. These were turbulent times and I applaud the author for going there. These two characters were exceptional young women, it takes courage to stand up for someone no matter what the circumstances are and I think that was the catalyst for these two characters, the thing that helped form that bond.
I think the bond really endured even though it was latent for awhile. When Danielle and Mia closed themselves off to each other over a man, I was a little surprised. At first I was thinking, how could they let a guy come between them, but as I continued to read I think I began to understand that they still loved each other, they were just too proud to be the bigger woman, so to speak. But when they are finally reunited it's easy to see that the friendship was still there it was just waiting for them to remember it.
I did have a little trouble with the point of view on this one. Not only goes the POV shift between both main characters, it also switches between time periods, from past to present and in-between. That was a little confusing. I had a hard time distinguishing who was talking and whether it was the 70's or now. But usually after a sentence or two I picked it back up and was able to go on. I did like the fact that the author incorporates pop culture references into her writing. She mentions not only facebook, but texting and other current details in her descriptions of the present. It helped me grasp where we were in the story a little better.
I tend to like books that explore the friendships of women and I particularly liked this one because both women are given a second chance to make this friendship work. They can either choose to let their differences hold them back or forge a future that includes each other and I was really happy with the choice the author allowed them to make. I would like to have found out more about their daughters and their present family lives though. I think the secondary characters could have been a little more fleshed out than they were, but that certainly didn't detract from the story itself.
I recommend this one to readers of chick lit, and women's fiction. I think it will appeal to readers who have strong friendships and those who are seeking them. There is nothing better than having that girlfriend you can go to in your time of need or just when you need a little pick me up. I think the author illustrates how strong these bonds can be whether the are forged through tragedy or joy. I liked this one a lot and I think you will too!
Remember Me is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Cheryl Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She has a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University. Cheryl currently lives in Central Florida and is working on her next novel.
What happens when the loyalty that defines the friendship of two women is tested? For Mia and Danielle, finding the answer takes a lifetime...
Mia Marks was an independent black girl from inner-city Detroit with an eye for the hottest fashion and a penchant for the good life. Danielle King was a soft-spoken suburban white girl with artistic ambitions. When they met at an all girls Catholic high school, neither expected to form a deep bond that transcended race and background and lasted for years. And neither could have anticipated the one indiscretion that destroyed their friendship.
Twenty years later, Danielle is a successful novelist living in Miami. Mia is a school-teacher in Detroit. But they're still on common ground. Both are unhappily married and raising teenage daughters, and both are far too proud to make the first move to reconnect - until tragedy brings them back together in the most unexpected way.
Now they must confront the past, discover its untold truths, and learn to survive the increasing complexities of their lives and of a friendship destined to endure.
Thoughts:
Cheryl Robinson takes up the challenge of interracial relationships in her latest book, Remember Me. This is the story of two girls, one black, one white, who forge a friendship in the turbulent environment of the 1970's. Robinson's ability to show readers the bonds of friendship and how it can be tested by circumstance, outside influences and tragedy will draw the reader in and give them an experience they won't soon forget.
Mia Marks was one of the few black students in an all girl Catholic high school. Danielle King was the suburban white girl who stood up for her against a racially bias teacher. The girls form a strong friendship that lasts into their college years before a series of bad choices breaks it a part. Now twenty years later they are about to be reunited in one tragic night that ends them up at a hospital and puts them once again in each others path. Both women have successful careers and beautiful daughters, but their marriages are less than happy. Can they put the past behind them and build a future that includes each other? Or do some hurts just go too deep?
Cheryl Robinson has created a story that explores the bonds of friendships between women. Danielle and Mia come from very different backgrounds and I was initially impressed that Danielle would take that step to make Mia a part of her everyday life. This was the 70's, it wasn't exactly accepted by many for two girls of separate race to be acquaintances, let alone friends. These were turbulent times and I applaud the author for going there. These two characters were exceptional young women, it takes courage to stand up for someone no matter what the circumstances are and I think that was the catalyst for these two characters, the thing that helped form that bond.
I think the bond really endured even though it was latent for awhile. When Danielle and Mia closed themselves off to each other over a man, I was a little surprised. At first I was thinking, how could they let a guy come between them, but as I continued to read I think I began to understand that they still loved each other, they were just too proud to be the bigger woman, so to speak. But when they are finally reunited it's easy to see that the friendship was still there it was just waiting for them to remember it.
I did have a little trouble with the point of view on this one. Not only goes the POV shift between both main characters, it also switches between time periods, from past to present and in-between. That was a little confusing. I had a hard time distinguishing who was talking and whether it was the 70's or now. But usually after a sentence or two I picked it back up and was able to go on. I did like the fact that the author incorporates pop culture references into her writing. She mentions not only facebook, but texting and other current details in her descriptions of the present. It helped me grasp where we were in the story a little better.
I tend to like books that explore the friendships of women and I particularly liked this one because both women are given a second chance to make this friendship work. They can either choose to let their differences hold them back or forge a future that includes each other and I was really happy with the choice the author allowed them to make. I would like to have found out more about their daughters and their present family lives though. I think the secondary characters could have been a little more fleshed out than they were, but that certainly didn't detract from the story itself.
I recommend this one to readers of chick lit, and women's fiction. I think it will appeal to readers who have strong friendships and those who are seeking them. There is nothing better than having that girlfriend you can go to in your time of need or just when you need a little pick me up. I think the author illustrates how strong these bonds can be whether the are forged through tragedy or joy. I liked this one a lot and I think you will too!
Remember Me is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
2 comments:
I really enjoyed this book as well. Great review!
I think this might be a book that I would like! Off to see if it is available here.
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