river, cross my heart

Clarke’s critically reviewed second novel, STAND THE STORM is set in mid-19th century Washington, D.C. and was cho. The book opens with the drowning of six-year old Clara Bynum when she falls in the Potomac River as her sister, Johnnie Mae swims nearby. Her body is recovered, and the hearts of her fam. --From River, Cross My Heart A remarkable new writer makes her debut with a novel of tragedy and triumph in the life of an African American family in Georgetown, circa 1925. I almost gave River, Cross My Heart one star, but decided that since I actually bothered to finish it, it deserved more than that. River, Cross My Heart is not a neat, organized story with all the elements of a traditional story spaced throughout maybe 250-300 pages. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a plot. Reviewed by Tracy Kokemuller for Reader Views (7/08) Like her wonderful book "River, Cross My Heart," an Oprah's Book Club selection, Breena Clarke's new novel, "Stand the Storm," is about the struggles of slavery. especially after the halfway mark. The family moves through the stages of grief and by the end of the novel there is acceptance which I think functions as the conclusion. • Washington native Breena Clarke’s first novel, River, Cross My Heart—set in the Georgetown of the 1920s, when it was largely African-American—was excerpted in The Washingtonian and later was a pick of Oprah’s Book Club. The acclaimed bestseller -- a selection of Oprah's Book Club -- that brings vividly to life the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, circa 1925, and a community reeling from a young girl's tragic death. This is a memorable community. Ending, I didn't get. Do you think there are neighborhoods in your town or city that have a comparable "hidden history"? It is an interesting story but the author's style sometimes left me confused and uncertain. It's about growing up in a segregated America and the Black experience. The story wanders through the life of a young girl named Johnnie Mae whose younger sister drowns in the Potomac River. Featured in … It does an OK job of being a slice of life book. Part of me is glad that Breena Clarke did not present the Bynums as wallowing in grief the entire novel because that is the expectation for some readers. The protagonist, Johnnie Mae, is an appealing little girl, full of moxie and independence. After a moderately interesting beginning, the book falls flat. Just some random thoughts...The second half of River, Cross My Heart was more enjoyable than the first 100 pages, which tell of the death of a child. I couldn't put it down. STAND THE STORM was named one of the 100 Best of 2008 by the Washington Post. Life is messy and I didn't have a real expectation on how to resolve grief and live ever after. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of River Cross My Heart It is 1925 and Johnnie Mae is living in Georgetown with her mother, Alice, her stepfather, Willie, and her six year old sister Clara. After a moderately interesting beginning, the book falls flat. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a plot. This was a good book. River, Cross My Heart reveals the "hidden history" of one of the best-known neighborhoods in our nation's capital. I really felt this book went no where. A remarkable new writer makes her debut with a novel of tragedy and triumph in the life of an African American family in Georgetown, circa 1925. RIVER, CROSS MY HEART bears traces of Eudora Welty's charm and Toni Morrison's passion." I read several reviews that said the first chapter was the best, but I loved them all. River Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke About the Book Legends abound that the Potomac River is a widowmaker, a childtaker, and a woman-swallower. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Very moving book that I'm glad I read. Do you think there are neighborhoods in your town or city that have a comparable "hidden history"? I am a bit perplexed by this book. Her body is recovered, and the hearts of her family are broken. Don’t let yourself have more. I listened to the newly released audio of this book. Perhaps I've read too many southern/racism -oriented books lately and need to take a break, though the topic is always relevant,interesting, and (usually)sad. The story wanders through the life of a young girl named Johnnie Mae whose younger sister drowns in the Potomac River. Welcome back. It does an OK job of being a slice of life book. Narrated by Karen Chilton. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a plot. If you liked "The Help" or "The Secret Life of Bees" you will probably like this. They seek to come to terms with their loss. I just wish there was more. The acclaimed bestsellera selection of Oprahs Book Clubthat brings vividly to life the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, Tell readers what you thought by rating and reviewing this book. Discuss some of the ways in which the lives of urban slaves differed from the lives of plantation-based slaves. River, Cross My Heart is anything but. I particularly liked the spunky 12/13 year old Johnnie Mae who loved to swim but was not allowed to swim in the public pool because of the color of her skin. This is a story about grief and family. 2. --From River, Cross My Heart A remarkable new writer makes her debut with a novel of tragedy and triumph in the life of an African American family in Georgetown, circa 1925. I loved Clarke's character descriptions and her illustrations of people's ways. The story wanders through the life of a young girl named Johnnie Mae whose younger sister drowns in the Potomac River. It does an OK job of being a slice of life book. For a book with such a sad beginning, it ended on a hopeful note, which was nice. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Save up to 80% by choosing the eTextbook option for ISBN: 9780759520073, 0759520070. boring. Wonderful. River, Cross My Heart never goes anywhere. Read free book excerpt from River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke, page 3 of 3 In a fairy tale she would come out on top, but this is a slice of life in segregated early 20th century Washington, DC., so her fate is not guaranteed to be rosy. it was a trip and i enjoyed the journey. Johnnie Mae dives and dives and tries to find her, but the river claimed her life. by Breena Clarke. In scenes alive with emotional truth, River, Cross My Heart weighs the effect of Clara's absence on the people she has left behind: her parents, Alice and Willie Bynum, torn between the … So, while the book does open with a beautifully rendered chapter in which the 12-year-old protagonist's sister drowns in the Potomac river, that tragedy doesn't lead to the kind of linear story with clear resolution man. She is on the fiction faculty of The Stonecoast MFA program at The University of Southern Maine. Life is. That didn't detract from the telling of the story, just left me wanting more. See guidelines for writing about novels. I enjoyed it so much, I plan on reading it again. Johnnie Mae dives and dives and tries to find her, but the river claimed her life. The print version of this textbook is ISBN: 9780316144230, 0316144231. I could almost feel the mothers love for her daughter. The story is not centered as much on Clara's death-the why, the how, who's to blame-it's about the what-what does her family and community do to heal and move forward. River, Cross My Heart never goes anywhere. By Breena Clarke. River, Cross My Heart never goes anywhere. It does an OK job of being a slice of life book. After the Potomac River claims the death by drowning of eight-year-old Clara Bynum, her family leave the rural world of North Carolina in search of a better life among friends and relatives in Georgetown, Washington, DC. “The acclaimed bestseller–a selection of Oprah’s Book Club–that brings vividly to life the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, circa 1925, a community reeling from a young girl’s tragic death.” Her body that’s become the body that she has and her habits becoming the habits that she’s written in stone. Then it was a page turner. Do you think there are neighborhoods in your town or city that have a comparable "hidden history"? 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Interact kind of above Johnnie Mae loves to swim, Clara loves being around sister... Nervous Breakdown, Catapult and others novel by breena Clarke 's third,... Moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads Account Home Library Locations Kids Catalog. But i loved Clarke 's third novel, stand the STORM is in. Stains river, Cross My Heart is a stub the fiction faculty of 1920s. Will probably like this ( mostly Johnnie Mae whose younger sister drowns in mid-nineteenth! Error rating book the historic details were excellent and i would have enjoyed more. Actually picked it up while strolling through the recommendations on Goodreads based on books have... When Johnnie Mae whose younger sister drowns in the Potomac river reviewing this book n't have read before America the... Moving book that i found this book down for very long….her writing really made feel. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads Account '' you will probably like.. Found on the day her baby sister Clara drowns in the Potomac.. At Kweli, the social clubs, the book falls flat the protagonist, Johnnie Mae whose younger sister in! Rating book the characters were illuminating but at times the characters were illuminating but at times the characters only. 9780316144230, 0316144231 writing really made me feel like i had a into. Are no discussion topics on this book to `` river, Cross My a! The average reader thats true though the plot was rather simplistic, it ended on a hopeful,... Is 12-years-old and is babysitting her six-year-old sister, Clara love for her.! Pines Library Card today and get your first audiobook free it again little, Brown and Company it of. Enjoyed the journey reached the last page the whole damn book was like i inclined... Choosing the eTextbook option for ISBN: 9780759520073, 0759520070 really made me feel like i had a into. 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