Hunger

by Erica Simone Turnipseed

Book Overview

In Erica Simone Turnipseed's captivating follow-up to A Love Noire , heartache fans the flames of lust when freethinking Noire and Innocent, her urbane African ex, reunite. Noire and Innocent are both having a thirtysomething crisis. His former identity as a successful investment banker and eligible bachelor has disappeared. A beleaguered graduate student, she's got no money, no man, and no Ph.D., yet. A year of predoctoral research in Haiti leaves...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060797312
• ISBN13: 9780060797317
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Page turner, can't put down

I read A Love Noire years ago when it was first published. It was an okay read, but I was disappointed because I wanted Noire and Innocent to live "happily ever after" Well, I'm reading Hunger now and I literally can't put it down. It's better than A Love Noire, though I can't put my finger on why I think so. I hope the author is working on her next novel.

Who Are You and What Does it Mean to Be You?

Erica Simone Turnipseed proves the sophomore flop did not befall her. Her acclaimed debut, A Love Noire, three years ago is complimented by her admirable follow-up, Hunger:A Novel, a heartfelt story with many of the same elements of global sensibilities, the Black Diaspora, a cosmopolitan flair and intriguing writing. Many of the same characters return and others enter to make this a satisfying novel. So why rehash characters that you may have thought settled things in the first novel? That is the question I asked myself when I heard there was a "sequel." Rewind back to the year 2001 and the month of September and all the emotions and angst that brings upon all of us; more so to those who lived in New York City at the time. Noire and Innocent run into each other one year before 9/11 at JFK Airport; she on her way to Haiti for a fellowship appointment and he, with his mother, on their way to France. When they see each other again, it is at the funeral service for a mutual friend; a victim of the attack on the Twin Towers. In that year's time, Noire has been involved with Peter, a journalist from Port-au-Prince and Innocent has visited his home, Cote d'Ivore in Africa where he has a fling with Chi Chi. Both Noire and Innocent are floundering, with scattered emotions and feelings of being on hold; in suspense, so when they reunite it is a superficial coupling, riding on emotions brought by the 9/11 tragedy. Then news Innocent receives from home is life-altering and everything comes to a head. Has everyone gone crazy as a result of 9/11? That is how it appears to Noire. Her parents have made a declaration that throws Noire into a tailspin. She questions her being a true friend when she feels awkward consoling a widow of the tragedy. When her mentor is killed in a plane crash, she feels her life has spun out of control. Meanwhile Innocent is trying to cope with his new status, struggling with what it means to be a man in his father's eyes and begins to question the meaning of home. Suddenly no one is immune, not from their innermost emotions, not from the constant suspicions at airports, not even from death. A world tragedy resonates inward as people try to come to grips with the frailty of splintered lives. On opposite ends of the world, Noire and Innocent are better able to analyze their respective situations. This novel dealt more so with the internal effects of the couple, their families and loved ones. The cast of supporting characters both complimented and enhanced the story as we got a peek into their lives and their interactions with the protagonists. This is a must-read for those who have read ALN. I use "sequel" sparingly as the author informed APOOO BookClub that the publishers' phrase is "series". I think Noire and Innocent's story is finally finished and was done in a grand fashion. Dera R. Williams APOOOO BookClub www.apooo.org

Excellent!

Just as she did in "A Love Noire," Erica Simone Turnipseed has written a novel that is smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking. However, Turnipseed has upped the ante with "Hunger," showing remarkable growth as a writer in the three years since her debut. This growth is reflected in the development of the characters and the growth that they experience in their own lives (though not always willingly) as they grapple with major life issues, including the personal and global impact of 9/11. This time, the stakes are higher for everyone and Ms. Turnipseed deftly shows that she is up to the challenge. Also, a note to the fellas: Do not deprive yourself by assuming that this book is not for you. One of the things I most appreciate about "A Love Noire" and "Hunger" is that, unlike many other books, the men are fully developed characters - not caricatures - whose perspectives are given equal weight, care and respect. Take it from me, every guy should buy a copy and read it with his significant other (or someone you want to be significant). Trust me, you'll be glad you did. I'm looking forward to Erica Simone Turnipseed's next book, as I have a feeling the best is yet to come!

Hunger

"Do not deny that you must buy". Run do not walk (metaphorically speaking, as you are online now) to purchase this book. Turnipseed's much anticipated follow up to her blockbuster debut novel, A Love Noire is just what the MD ordered. Passionate, resolute, and as attentive to accuracy in her research detail as she is to her characters continued development, Turnipseed has turned out another winner. Buy. This. Book. Now.

She's a Complicated Woman..and no one understands her but her....

SELF. THIS IS A FABOULOUS BOOK. An exercise is self-reflection and reminder that "RIGHT" doesn't always come in the package that we expect it. I read A Love Noire probably two years ago and at the time the author told me she was writing a sequel. It was worth the wait. If you haven't met Noire Demain, translation, BLACK TOMORROW, it's OK. You'll love her when you do. This book is a delightful course in AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, SOCIOLOGY, THEOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, ECONOMICS, ANTHROPOLOGY, WORLD HISTORY AND CULTURAL STUDIES. You meet all of them in some way through the course of the book and its delightful characters. It's a smart novel, that any woman will appreciate who has had to grappel with the question of LOVE, SECURITY, INDEPENDENCE, SUCCESS, AMBITION, FRIENDSHIP, LOSS and FUTURE. Any brother will appreciate it as well because guess what Innocent Pokou has to deal with those same questions too. The author is masterful in how she explains the DIASPORA in a modern context through the lineage of the elders and the watchful eyes of their children as they pay attention. GREAT JOB ERICA! GO BUY THIS BOOK.