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10th out of 112 books
—
87 voters
This Bitter Earth (Sugar Lacey #2)
by
Bernice L. McFadden (Goodreads Author)
In This Bitter Earth, Sugar Lacey is on her way out of Bigelow, Arkansas, where she’d come to break with the past. With her worn leopard-print suitcase and her head held high, she walks past the prying eyes of its small-minded, cruel-hearted townsfolk, praying for the strength to keep going. She doesn’t stop until she arrives at her childhood home in Short Junction. Here s...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
December 31st 2002
by Plume
(first published 2002)
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My journey with Sugar Lacey has come to an end. Bernice McFadden is a great writer.
When I finished Sugar almost a year ago, I wanted to know how she was, and what happened to her after she left Arkansas and where she would end up, if she would be okay. Although it took me forever to get This Bitter Earth to find out, and even longer to finish the story, I'm so glad I did. The characters in these books are so interesting. And the story is sprinkled with ghosts and prophetic dreams and signs and n...more
When I finished Sugar almost a year ago, I wanted to know how she was, and what happened to her after she left Arkansas and where she would end up, if she would be okay. Although it took me forever to get This Bitter Earth to find out, and even longer to finish the story, I'm so glad I did. The characters in these books are so interesting. And the story is sprinkled with ghosts and prophetic dreams and signs and n...more
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I am loving Bernice McFadden's storytelling. I think I'm going to read everything she's ever written!
All I can say is that this book had me gasping all the way til the end. I can't describe how much I enjoyed this book. Of course we know that Sugar ended with Sugar Lacey leaving Bigelow, AR wounded mentally and physically. This book picks her up walking back to the home she was raised in with the Lacey sisters.
At the Lacey home Sugar finally gets the answers she have been looking for all her life. When all the Lacey sisters die she retraces her steps back to Mary's house in St. Louis. In Sugar...more
At the Lacey home Sugar finally gets the answers she have been looking for all her life. When all the Lacey sisters die she retraces her steps back to Mary's house in St. Louis. In Sugar...more
Nicely ties major lingering questions from Sugar. Some character & situation ties are a bit too convenient (but hey this IS a fiction sequel & those can be more difficult to write than the first book).
Surprisingly, I disliked Sugar at times due to her insistence that others reveal the secrets she doesn't know about her life yet she cowardly/selfishly/protectively (?) hides secrets about others' lives.
Enjoyed McFadden's ability to give each character a distinct voice. A character's thoug...more
Surprisingly, I disliked Sugar at times due to her insistence that others reveal the secrets she doesn't know about her life yet she cowardly/selfishly/protectively (?) hides secrets about others' lives.
Enjoyed McFadden's ability to give each character a distinct voice. A character's thoug...more
2 Thumbs up!!! The Sugar Series is the best. I have all both books and have read them several times.
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I didn't really connect with this book as much as I did with "Sugar." The story line felt rushed in a way. I also found the style of the book to feel different than the first book. I read these books consecutively, and was bothered at how much more I connected with the first book than with the second. I hope that, if there are more books to come in the Sugar series, McFadden is able to bring back the voice of Sugar that I felt was just missing in the second book. I also thought that This Bitter...more
Finished "This Bitter Earth" by Bernice L. McFadden. Lappy did it. Fortunately, it's not a murder mystery, so I'm not giving anything away with that statement. This book was indeed about a bitter existence. I recall one moment of joy, one or two really tense moments, and a whole lot of sadness and the general dealing with life's problems. This is the second in the series, something I seem to have a tendency to do to myself (I haven't read the first). Do I have the will to go back to the first in...more
After reading Bernice L. McFadden's first acclaimed novel entitled 'Sugar', I was looking forward to read 'This Bitter Earth', which is a continuation of her first book. I pleasantly enjoyed this book. I thought it was beautifully written, and provided fans of the main character Sugar Lacey with a brilliant novel that takes place about 10 years after the time period in which 'Sugar' was written. McFadden, once again, provides the reader with an impressive story including the great characters of...more
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A MUST Read
"In This Bitter Earth, Sugar Lacey is on her way out of Bigelow, Arkansas, where she’d come to break with the past. With her worn leopard-print suitcase and her head held high, she walks past the prying eyes of its small-minded, cruel-hearted townsfolk, praying for the strength to keep going. She doesn’t stop until she arrives at her childhood home in Short Junction. Here she learns the truth about her parentage: a terrible tale of unrequited love, of one man’s enduring hatred, and of...more
"In This Bitter Earth, Sugar Lacey is on her way out of Bigelow, Arkansas, where she’d come to break with the past. With her worn leopard-print suitcase and her head held high, she walks past the prying eyes of its small-minded, cruel-hearted townsfolk, praying for the strength to keep going. She doesn’t stop until she arrives at her childhood home in Short Junction. Here she learns the truth about her parentage: a terrible tale of unrequited love, of one man’s enduring hatred, and of...more
It took me some time to come out of Bigelow once I reached the last page. The questions that I was left with after reading Sugar were all answered in the book. I love the writing style and the vivid characters. I also love to piece together who's who & and who related to one another. Awesome read. I'm not sure how I missed these books years ago but my glad I was introduced to this town and its people. All of this author's books that I've read so far are excellent and definitely re-readable.
An absolute horror show of a sequel. Not sure if this second part of the Sugar saga was simply the victim of bad editing, but it was trite, contrived, sickeningly sappy and even grammatically incorrect at times. Honestly, it reads like a pulp romance novel-Ick. Having read it on the heels of Sugar, which was phenomenal, I just can't believe it's as awful as it is.. It's as though it was written by someone else. Had to force myself to finish the last 50 pages. It was that bad.
This was an enjoyable read. I finished in three days because the suspense was killing me; the words slipped off the page like a poem. That helped too. There were ghosts, magic, dreams and symbols that were mesmerizing and confusing in a good way. More than likely because it is a sequel and 'Sugar' couldn't be found when I went to pick them both up at the library. I am definitely going to make a point of getting my hands on it though. McFadden is a fantastic writer. Anyway, I learned that peace d...more
Most excellently written. This book was an awesome conclusion to Sugar. As I said in my previous review, we need more authors like Bernice L. McFadden. There are many twists and turns in this book and the reader is able to visualize the joys, hurts, and pains in the lives of the characters in the book over the decades.
The book was very good, although I was a little upset at how it ended. I was so glad Lappy got what he had coming to him, but Mrs.McFadden failed to tell us what happened to Joe and Pearl. Did Seth really go back to New York ?, Did JJ fall for Mercy? And of course what happened to Ms. Sugar Lacy?
Bernice L. McFadden is a storyteller's storyteller. I envisioned Sugar's beginnings and all those involved in her journey, being told on someone front porch in Arkansas. I'm looking forward to reading more of this writer's work.
Incredible follow up to the story of Sugar Lacey. Characters are deepened, only a couple of details from the first book were missed. Plot won't let you put this book down, and neither will the writing.
Did not know there was a book two! Man, I really dug into this when I got it. Nice to see an explanation of all she had to deal with and how it shaped her, and how everything came together at the end.
I was completely engrossed from beginning to end. The first novel "Sugar" was good, but the depth of character and backstory given in this book kept me turning the pages.
This is a great book.. The character Suger Lacy is controversial yet understandable. There is hope in this story.
Outstanding Sequel to "Sugar"!
I was not one bit disappointed with this much anticipated sequel to McFadden's, "Sugar". Her writing style can best be described as "simply poetic".
I loved how the fate of each character was intertwined with the fate of another. I loved how instead of merely giving a glimpse of background into one character or the other, McFadden has each character "tell their story" - giving the reader intimate insight into the feelings, thoughts, and lives of the character.
Stan...more
I was not one bit disappointed with this much anticipated sequel to McFadden's, "Sugar". Her writing style can best be described as "simply poetic".
I loved how the fate of each character was intertwined with the fate of another. I loved how instead of merely giving a glimpse of background into one character or the other, McFadden has each character "tell their story" - giving the reader intimate insight into the feelings, thoughts, and lives of the character.
Stan...more
This book is the sequel to Sugar. I love this book. This is a great read. I def recommend both books
Thank you for this sequel, I think I would've gone mad if you hadn't finished the tale of this family.
Sep 20, 2012
Misericordia
marked it as to-read
The blurb feels biografical to me, too close to home. Will definitely have to give this book a try!
I think revenge is sweet, although The book Sugar didn't seem like it was missing anything "This bitter earth" surely filled in a lot . I loved both books and the author is a skilled writer. The story line is never dull full of what's happening next this was an great read.
Again, the author writes clearly and without reservation in this sequel to "Sugar".....
This novel was a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful story. She walks in the shoes of every character with such honesty and authenticity...it's superb. You find out Sugar's past, present and future in this book. It really pulled the pieces together from "Sugar".
Bernice McFadden has the ability to tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you dreaming about the story. Sugar, Jude, Joe, Pearl, and Lappy are unforgetable characters and will stay with you long after you've...more
Bernice McFadden has the ability to tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you dreaming about the story. Sugar, Jude, Joe, Pearl, and Lappy are unforgetable characters and will stay with you long after you've...more
Loved it, no questions left unanswered! Tied up in a bow!
I couldn't stop reading. I was too enthralled by the story.
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Welcome,
I am a national bestselling, award winning Brooklyn born and bred author who writes to breathe life back into memory.
Peace & Light,
Bernice L. McFadden
More about Bernice L. McFadden...
I am a national bestselling, award winning Brooklyn born and bred author who writes to breathe life back into memory.
Peace & Light,
Bernice L. McFadden
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