Who Does She Think She Is?

by Benilde Little

Book Overview

Who Does She Think She Is? is a richly evocative multigenerational story of three irrepressible women from the bestselling author of Good Hair and The Itch. Aisha Branch is in the midst of planning... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684854821
• ISBN13: 9780684854823
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Tidy Fairy Tale

I must admit, in the beginning of this story, I didn't like the main character (Aisha) for obvious reasons. I suppose that's what makes the author a good writer. But as things unfolded, I had to give Aisha props for knowing what she didn't want & going after what she did want (money being no replacement for happiness). It was nice to see the mother (Camille) find her inner beauty thru developing a loving relationship with her deceased ex's 'hippie' mother (Abby); and finally it was nice for grandmother (Geneva) to finally loosen up & give everyone a break. The fairy tale came together in a neat package by the end of the book that left a smile on my face being the hopeless romantic that I am!

There is no doubt... she is a diva!

This is a well-written story about three generations of women who will make you angry, laugh, cry and cheer! Each woman has her own STRONG voice. Aisha is the third-generation woman who follows her heart - when she's gotta have it, she's gonna get it. At first, she comes across as your typical brat. Eventually, she understand and love her as her story and family history unfold. In addition to the lessons she learns from her free-spirit mother, Camille, Aisha teaches her Mom a thing or two about living. Even Grandmother Geneva, who shares wisdom with Camille and Aisha, proves that it's never to late to teach an old dog new tricks. The primary lesson learned by all is unconditional love and acceptance. The story is a pageturner filled with drama, laughter and romance.

MY BOYEE MILES IS BACK!!!!

No writer seems to capture the ways and mores of the so-called "talented tenth" like Benilde Little. In her latest offering, she tells of three generations of African American women in one family and their relationship to one another, which of course has some major drama! The family dynamics she illustrates in this book are very true-to-life. And leave it to my boy Miles to get all up in the mix again! Much props to Ms. Little for her Miles Browning character, one of the most fascinating Black male characters in all of today's African American fiction. Interesting how Miles has somehow managed to get himself romantically involved with one of the main characters in at least three of Ms. Little's books....that's my boyeeeee!!! Miles may be a dog, but he's a good dog! The brother is a very successful and charismatic Wall Street pro who has his head on straight, and likes to kick it with attractive, intelligent, and accomplished African American women. No "babymama" drama or O.J. Simpson syndrome with this dude! Although all of Ms. Little's books center around and are aimed at African American women, I congratulate her on creating a Black male character that tha' "fellaz" can relate to and enjoy!

I Am My Mother and Grandmother's Child

Aisha Branch McCovney is the offshoot, snooty, designer wearing daughter of Camille and the granddaughter of Geneva. Unlike her mother, the afro-centric social worker and her deeply racist grandmother, Aisha has forged a lifestyle her behind cannot cash. In Benilde Little's latest installment, Who Does She Think She Is, we meet these three generations of women and learn about their take on life and the opposite sex. Aisha is involved in an interracial relationship and is in the midst of planning her wedding to Will. Will is from old money, both on his maternal and paternal sides. Their relationship seems on the up and up until Aisha meets Miles, a friend and business associate of Will's father, and all bets are off. As Aisha grapples with her insecurities about life, love and not knowing her biological father, everyone else has an opinion. What is different is no one verbalizes his or her thoughts with the exception of Aisha's girlfriend. Set in New York City and Newark, New Jersey, in alternating chapters we listen to the history and current situation of each woman. Camille was an unmarried teenage mother much to her mother's dismay but somehow redeemed herself by marrying a successful lawyer. Geneva tells the story of attending Hampton Institute and primed to marry the right man, that is until she meets, falls in love and marries a jazz musician. The secondary characters are ripe with their own stories and they each connect to Aisha, Camille and Geneva. Some scenes may appear difficult to comprehend or unrealistic, but redeem themselves as the story picks up the pace for a satisfying conclusion. The story opens with thoughts of Miss Mabel, Geneva's housekeeper, and what her take may be on Aisha's impeding marriage. As the book closes, we once again get a taste of Ms. Mabel; delicate words but so true to form for all of the women of the Branch family. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves APOOO BookClub

Sophisticated & insightful

Three generations of women are the centerpiece of Who Does She Think She Is - a novel that examines the quest for fulfillment. Twenty-six year old Aisha Branch is engaged to a wealthy white man. Camille, her mother, has fairly strong feelings regarding the engagement. And Geneva, the matriarch of the family, is good for some old-fashioned wisdom which she carefully imparts to her granddaughter. For the mercurial Camille, questions arise about a father she's never known, and a love that she wishes she could have, and she isn't referring to her current husband-to-be. So when she's introduced to another captivating man, the life that she's known comes to a gridlock. And through many conversations with her mother, her grandmother, and good but flaky girlfriend Cedra, Aisha braves much self-exploration to show herself who she is, and who she is not. Written with a sophisticated style that tenderly and honestly explores women's issues, Benilde Little has penned another moving and insightful novel about how to trust your instincts even when your life is filled with uncertainty.