Playing My Mother's Blues

by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Book Overview

In her triumphant new novel, bestselling author Valerie Wilson Wesley, one of the most respected and acclaimed voices in contemporary African American fiction, poignantly examines the stubborn bonds of family, passion, and a past that insists on repeating itself. Dani Carter was seven years old -- her sister, Rose, seventeen -- when their beautiful, impetuous mother, Maria, walked out of their lives, abandoning her husband and family for a love affair...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060188820
• ISBN13: 9780060188825
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great book!

I liked the entire book. I hardly put it down and finished it faster than any other book I had read in a while. I had never read anything from this author before. I quickly ran out and picked up another one of her books. Great job.

Mariah by any other name

As a believer in what `goes around comes around', I found the story of mother and daughters very interesting. The ending did surprise me a bit, with the reasoning behind the actions of the mother, although the story does drive you to want to know - since you know there is a reason for their mysterious actions. Mariah (Maria) was a very interesting character. It was as if she had come to peace with the mistakes she made, yet she was determined to find out if others had forgiven her. I so enjoyed the way she allowed her honest and pure motherly love come out when reuniting with her daughters - her unashamed and open-armed way of welcoming them back to her life, not really caring what they felt about her, because she knew what she felt about them. Listening to Ms. Westly reading from the book gave me a deeper, richer insight to what Mariah (Maria) felt about her life. It's very enlightening when a reader can hear the story from the author herself. Rose, to me, was laden with guilt...so much that forgiveness was marred. I think she should have been more open to her mother. Dani was just young and the irony of her life is what made the story so deep to me, the fact that despite her ignorance she acted similarly to her mother. Lucille, I admired. She was loyal to her brother yet, open to hear the truth. Reading this book is highly recommended. It's a quick read that feels like a personal journal. It reads like non-fiction as it's realistic with a strong narrative. I enjoy Ms. Westly's book very much no matter the genre she writes in, from mystery to romance she's extremely talented and her stories touch the human in all of us ... right in the eye.

Powerful Family Drama

This powerful new novel by Valerie offers an examination of family torn apart. The Mother, Maria, leaves the man she married too young and never loved leaving behind her daughters, Dani, who was seven and Rose at seventeen, for another man she does love. An unforgiving man heads this family as the Father, and he has nothing but hatred for Maria. Her new romance ends tragically and she fears she is forever lost to the daughters she loves. Without understanding and forgiveness will the sins of the Mother (and the Father) forever cause a deep unhappiness in the lives of the girls? Dani is married with a son and Rose, who never marries and agrees with her father about the evil person her Mother was, go on with their lives but can they ever really find true happiness and peace? The story is superbly told with flashbacks which dramatically allow the readers to gain insight about what really happened to Maria one night that permanently changed her life. Wonderfully written, you will not want to put it down!

Outstanding Novel

The author gets right in there and tells the story; a good one at that. This book is a fast paced book; never a dull moment

Reunited

Valerie Wilson Wesley is best known for the Tamara Hayle mysteries, but do not be fooled, she is also a powerful contemporary fiction writer. In Playing My Mother's Blues, Valerie Wilson Wesley delves into the life of sisters Dani and Rose, and their mother Maria who now calls herself Mariah. Mariah married too young to a man much older than she. When Durrell Alexander comes along, his sweet-talking and tender lovemaking makes Mariah feel young again. Things are going well, until Mariah shoots him to death and goes to jail for twenty years. While reading the paper, she discovers that her ex- husband Hilton Dells has died. His death brings back memories of her daughters that she has not seen in twenty years. On the surface, it appears that her daughters are doing well. Dani is married, has a young child and is a successful woman in her own right. Rose, though not married is a successful educator. What Mariah does not know is what lies beneath the smiles. Dani, unhappy in her marriage has found happiness elsewhere, and is mimicking her mother's actions. Rose, happy with the secret rendezvous with her married lover, has discovered a lump in her (...). The funeral of Hilton Dells brings them face to face for the first time in two decades. When Dani's problem becomes evident and she flees the memorial service, Mariah follows her and takes her to her apartment to console her. Soon after, an angry Rose shows up at the apartment and all three women come to terms with the feelings of anger, abandonment and sorrow. I enjoyed how this story was told over the course of three days, the flashbacks and memories made me feel as if I was following the family from beginning to end. Flashing back in time, then fast forwarding to the present made each character complete and the story more dynamic. The transitions from past to present were smooth. I also enjoyed Wilson-Wesley's lyrical writing style. This is a book I highly recommend for your reading pleasure. Jeanette APOOO BookClub