"The air cools to crisp, carries sound farther. Last pears ripen and fall, ferment on the ground; the aroma of their wine mixes with the punge...
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reviews
Oct 22, 2009
Mocha Girl
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October Suite is a coming-of-age story about a young woman who struggles to deal with her family and relationship issues. Lillian "October" Brown and her sister, Vergie, are sheltered orphans raised by their two aunts because their father murdered their mother in their presence. The novel begins when October leaves home in 1950 for the first time to begin her life as an educator. Her naivety gets her into "trouble" and she returns home to give birth to her son by a married ma
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Jul 16, 2009
Beth
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I loved this book! it is all about family relationships told through the experiences of two black sisters who are orphaned when their father murders their mother and is sent to prison. There is a lot of flashbacks, but it is well done and easy to follow--at least after I realized that sometimes you are listening to Carrie, their mother and sometime to the Aunts who raised them. I listened , which I felt added a lot because of the dialects being so well performed. Perhaps in print, there are i
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Apr 09, 2008
Courtney
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October Suite is a beautifully written novel about a young woman who finds love, looses it, gives a part of that love away and struggles to get it back. Maxine Clair tells a story that will inspire readers to appreciate all the challenges life throws at you and learn to live with what you've got while fighting for what you believe is right. October Suite made me laugh, cry, and angry at the ways people of color were treated in the 1950s and the fight against discrimination that still remains tod
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Aug 16, 2010
Rita
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This mid-century, mid-western saga was quite a good read. October Brown was a young woman faced with a life altering decision. It was clear that she was not yet ready to take on the responsibility of a child. Giving up that child was the best decision for the time period. The story kept me interested til the very end.
May 10, 2009
Michelle
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A lovely novel. I have no idea where or why I picked this up but it was very well written, gripping, and different read.
Oct 24, 2007
Margarita
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This was a wonderful and heartbreaking story of family loyalty and hardship. It was emotional without being sappy. It was one of those "quiet" books that will stay with you for a long time. I highly recommend, and since I agree with the reviewers who said it started out slowly - stick with it... it's well worth it.
Sep 13, 2008
Z.
rated it:
Well written.
The relationship that developed with ... the name slips me. The brother of Cora's husband -- was an obvious ending which that irritated me a bit. I kept wondering when it was about to happen.
The relationship that developed with ... the name slips me. The brother of Cora's husband -- was an obvious ending which that irritated me a bit. I kept wondering when it was about to happen.
Oct 07, 2007
Rebekka
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Note to the protagonist: If you give your baby away and then later decide that you want him back, you won't get sympathy from me. Think through the consequences beforehand. And don't be loose with the handyman.
Aug 01, 2008
Katie
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Great story about the hardships of an African-American teacher in the '50s. The main character has several ups and downs that take her through a life journey and lead her to a happy place. Great read.
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