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Book Review: Sugar by Bernice McFadden & Giveaway
April 5th, 2010
Sugar by Bernice McFadden is a book I would have to say will stick with me for a long time. This book is not for the faint hearted I will say right off the bat. The best way to describe it to me is raw and blunt- it is not a book prettied up for people to read- it’s authentic. It gives us real life back in the 1950′s for the African Americans living in the deep South. To me, this is what makes this book so powerful – the gritty realness of it.
Bernice McFadden’s writing is vivid in it’s descriptions and she writes with a depth of feeling I haven’t felt from a book in a long time. Sugar is about two women: Pearl and Sugar and the ways in which lives intertwine even when you aren’t aware of it. These two women end up affecting each others lives in so many ways. As the book opens we are shocked by the brutal murder of Pearl’s daughter Jude. It will leave you feeling battered just reading about it but it has implications further on in the book. We then find ourselves whisked ahead fifteen years as these two women begin to forge the friendship that will grow between them.
Pearl, a sixty year old woman is living her life with her husband Joe. Jude was her daughter and Pearl has never gotten over the horror of the murder of her young daughter. Pearl is just a simple woman living a simple life. I was drawn to her in both her grief and in her personality in general.
Sugar is a woman who was left by her mother at a brothel – this is where she grew up. No surprise that this is the direction her life took as well – she knew no other way. She tried though, she had always wanted to be a singer but a young black girl – well, let’s just say it was assumed by many that she was anything but a singer. It broke my heart to read of Sugar’s struggles. Really she never had a chance with her upbringing and the times that this story takes place.
At first when Peal and Sugar come together there are some fireworks. Sugar has been hurt by pretty much everyone in her life; she’s not open to new friendships. Then again she’s never met someone like Pearl who just doesn’t give up. Plus there’s this one big thing – Sugar reminds Pearl of her daughter Jude. Over some time these women start to share their thoughts and feelings and in doing this, they are brought together in friendship.
It’s interesting to read just how cruel people can be. Yes Sugar was a prostitute and I can well imagine that most women wouldn’t want her around their husbands but it still hurt me to read how they treated her. I guess it’s because as a reader I had the background story on Sugar and could feel these sympathies. Pearl however saw past that. Now that’s not to say she agreed with what Sugar did but she looked past the outer shell to the vulnerable person Sugar was inside and taught her that people could love her for who she was. In turn, Sugar taught Pearl to live again; to be happy.
The novel Sugar just celebrated it’s 10th anniversary in January of this year. I am surprised that I had never heard of it before but I have to say that I feel grateful now having had the opportunity to read this novel. There is also a sequel to Sugar called This Bitter Earth which I intend to read soon. Sugar is a novel of tragedy, love, loss, forgiveness and to me, most of all, friendship. It’s well worth reading! Again, just as a note there is blunt language and graphic sexual content but I have to say at the same time, that in many ways, that’s what makes this novel real in what is the tragedy of life for some.
Be sure to check out Bernice McFadden’s website for information on all of her novels.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I’m happy to say that courtesy of the author Bernice McFadden and the publisher, I have 3 copies of Sugar to share with my readers. All you have to do…
- Leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
- Blog or Tweet this giveaway.
This giveaway is open to all! I will be drawing for the winners on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Good luck everyone!
My thanks…to me – I bought my own copy of Sugar.
Filed under 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 eBook Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge | Comments (87)
This is exactly the type of book I'd read. I didn't know about this book before your review and certainly didn't know that it is 10 years old! I want to read Sugar's story. I'm glad this is an international giveaway, so I definitely want to give it a shot. Thanks!
teh(dot)alice(at)gmail(dot)com
I hadnt heard of it at all and am so glad that you have highlighted it. Thanks for that.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
love to win this book. This is the second review I've seen on a blog and they were both complimentary.
theroundfile at live dot com
This sounds like a fantastic read. Excellent review – you really made me want to read this one!
journey through books @ gmail dot com
I am off to tweet about this one now
bookjourney
journeythroughbooks@gmail dot com
I read Glorious last week and loved it! Everyone's been telling me that I should read Sugar. It sounds like a very powerful book.
lovetoreadforfun (at)gmail (dot)com
I already have this but just wanted to chime in and say I too thought it was a very good book worth reading! I loved the relationship between the two women, and the character depictions, and the warmth and humor and optimism in the midst of the bad things that happened. Your review is lovely and I hope it convinces many people to read this book!
This sounds like a book that I would enjoy. I would love to be entered.
Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for this giveaway. This story sounds compelling and I would love to read it. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
wow, this book is 10 years old and I haven't even heard of it before. amazing…sounds like a good story. I'd be happy to read this one.
savvyverseandwit AT gmail
I'll pop this in my sidebar as usual.
Oh my goodness, I think I would LOVE this book.
Please enter me!
I am a follower.
I will post about it , hmmm, on Sat.? Just before the Read-a-thon.
forevereading at gmail dot com
Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I just obtained a copy of her new book Glorious, and would love to read Sugar as well.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/11646701201
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I'd like to be included, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com
Sounds good,count me in.info@tribute-books.com.
Please count me in. I would love to read this. Sounds very interesting to me.
I am a follower.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Stories like this are great reminders to all of us to try not to judge people – you just never know the hardships someone else has had to deal with. Great review, Dar. No need to enter me.
Sounds like a very powerful story. I've never heard of it before.
I'd love to read this.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I really enjoyed Glorious, by Bernice McFadden, so I'd love to read this one too.
sdeeth at msn dot com
Please include me in this giveaway. I have read several reviews (all positive) of this book and would enjoy a chance to read it.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
No need to enter me, as I have a copy that I will be reviewing shortly. It sounds like I am really going to love this book and I think you wrote a wonderful review on it. Glad you liked it so much, Dar!
I have heard great reviews for this book and would love to win a copy.
bthgordon at yahoo dot com
It is very amazing how cruel we humans can be to each other…this book sounds hard to read but one that you won't regret spending time with!
I'd love to read this!
j.t.oldfield[at]gmail.com
Please enter me!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/squiggles87/status/11664830364
xxsquigglesxx(At)gmail(Dot)com
Sugar sounds like an amazing read.
Please count me in.
fmlj94[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would like to read this book!!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
wow! what a lovely book! thanks for the giveaway
tweet: http://twitter.com/Lizzyrm/status/11669708403
Thanks!
Elizabeth R.
metalliz_gunner@hotmail.com
This is the first time I read about this book, but it seems good.
Plase enter me for this giveaway: magabygc AT gmail DOT com
I love learning about new books! And this sounds really good. Thanks!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/Entre_Libros/status/11671016111
entrelibros_blog at hotmail dot com
wow, sounds great! I'm going to pass on the giveaway- I have too many TBRs- but I'll add it to my bookmooch list, and who knows
Your review made me really want to read this book. The characters sound so interesting!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
This one sounds awesome. Please enter me for it..
I follow
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
This book has been on my to read list for a little while. I would love to win a copy. Please enter me.
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
Sounds like an interesting book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yabhoo DOT com
This sounds really interesting.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/11674789425
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com
What a great referral. Thanks for the giveaway!
sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com
I had never heard of the book before reading your review.
Thank you for opening the giveaway up to all, worldwide.
I am from South Africa and have seen and experienced many of the problems regarding black/white racism and the different experiences of people on both sides of the colour bar.
Add to this I lost my daughter to an unsolved murder when she was only 24.
I would dearly like to read this book.
Thanks.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
Again with the whole gripping, intense thing. I LOVE books in the old South that discuss slavery issues. They're some of my favorite reads. I follow, and tweeted. @herslntmusings
I'd love to enter. Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/11700617491
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I'd love a chance to read this.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
Sounds like a great book
hails_18@hotmail.com
This sounds amazing, and like you, I'd never heard of it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Interested in reading a new to me author.
Contact me at chirth7@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/Romantic73
Thank you for the Giveaway !
Posted it here:-
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/04/3-copies-of-sugar-from-peeking-between.html
IK
itzme(dot)insi(at)gmail(dot)com
Great giveaway!
Please count me in. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
I'd like to win, thanks.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/sweepstakelover/status/11718857767
annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
Sounds awesome!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
This book sounds so intense and emotional. I'd like to read it.
melacan at hotamil dto com
A book that would touch the heart and stimulate the soul… Would love to read this. Thank you!
Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
Oh Dar..I have wanted to read this one for a while. Please enter me. Your review only makes me want to read it more.
This sounds really good. =] Ah, so many books to read, so little time!
ihappydance at gmail dott com
Interesting.
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Open Books. Open minds.
Brand new book to me and it's been around 10 years? Where have I been?
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
I loved this book the first time I read it I am definitely due for a read of this and the sequel
I've been wanting to read this book for awhile. Like you, it sounds like one that would stay with me long after the last page is read. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Dar!
Please count me in for a chance to win, thanks! I'll post here.
wanda_waiting[@]hotmail[.]com
love to win this book.
I've been eyeing this one for a while. Please enter me.
nicolama at cogeco dot ca
This looks great! Please enter me!
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me to win a copy of this book
hawkes(at)citlink.net
I would love to read this book – please count me in.
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/EVA_n_essence/status/11814104809
eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com
I've heard a lot of good things about this one. Sounds emotional and powerful.
I've added the giveaway to my sidebar.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
I really want this one!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
Sounds interesting
tweeted
http://twitter.com/suzquiz/status/11852726920
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com
I heard about this book awhile ago and it sounds like a great read. Please enter me for the giveway. I follow
copperpenny12(at)hotmail(dot)com
I can't wait to read this. Thanks for the chance!
dmkayes@gmail.com
This sounds like a book I would like to read. Thanks for the chance to win it!
cherylbaryl@hotmail.com
Another great giveaway.
Please enter me, it looks like a great read!
Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com
Blog post:
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/04/3-copies-of-sugar-from-peeking-between.html
Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com
This one is going on my Wish List! Please count me in. Thanks so much!
nfmgirl AT Gmail DOT com
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-04-10-10.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the giveaway.
fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love a chance to win Sugar!
k9kutter64(at)yahoo(dot)com.
I really want to read this one! Count me in! Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
This book sounds amazing. Please count me in.
I am a follower
lisaglidewell(at)gmail(dot)com
I am surprised I hadn't heard of this book. It sounds like a good window into a time period and segment of the country's population. I would hope the publisher is considering rereleasing this book. There have been several new books out lately that it would complement.
I am a Follower.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
Enter me in giveaway.
I'm a follower.
caliblue7@gmail.com
Sign me up please-sounds wonderful
chocolateand croissants at yahoo . com
cococroissants
sugar giveaway http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-review-sugar-by-bernice-mcfadden.html
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
This sounds interesting. Would love to give it a try. Count me in, please! :0)
Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com
Hi! thanks for the contest! the cover is beautiful!
Sidebar: http://my-dreams-factory.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/giuly_24/status/12832587946
giuly_4@hotmail.com
thanks! =)
Thank you for this giveaway! I'm from Chile
- I tweeted: http://twitter.com/shinodita/statuses/12853667874
- Sidebar: http://enlibroabierto.blogspot.com
- My e-mail address: kiara.dg(at)gmail.com
(^^)/
Please enter me in this giveaway – Thanks!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
And I am a follower!