Rhythms

by Donna Hill

It all began in 1927, in the small town of Rudell, Mississippi, after the sudden and tragic death of Cora Harvey's parents. She has nothing left except her burning desire to become a singer. But her dream will never come true in Rudell, especially if she marries the man she adores, Dr. David Mackey. So when she sets out for Chicago, everyone in the close knit community, including David believes that the next time they see Cora, her name will be in lights. However, it's not long before Cora finds herself back in Rudell and back in David's arms harboring a secret she dare not reveal. . .A secret that will cause her daughter, Emma to flee Rudell with no intention of ever looking back. And even when Emma finds the perfect man and happiness at last, she is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her family's shameful past at bay. Then the dream that began with Cora comes full circle with her beloved granddaughter Parris whose melodic voice fills the dimly lit nightclubs of New York City. Yet, when tragedy strikes, opening a door to the past, Parris discovers the hidden truths that have ripped the family apart---but which may ultimately bind them together at last.

From the dusty roads of the Delta to the pulsing metropolis of New York City, Rhythms is a rich, unforgettable tale about loss and healing, redemption and love.

Genres: African American, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nicolette Listenbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost don't have any words. I am thankful to have found this book and to have read the lovely writings of Donna. I will forever hold the lessons and stories in this book close to my heart.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay well cant lie this wasn't the easiest to read but I am glad I stuck with it as it follows three generations of women in the early 1900s in small town Rudell Mississippi heavily dependent on the Black church and their strong sense of community which was enviable as in this small town for better or worse everyone knew everyone and helped out whenever they could..The story begins with preacher's daughter beloved Cora with her shy lovable ways and powerful singing voice with dreams that stretched beyond her small town and into her fantasy of singing for the world. Despite her family's insistence that the world is too much for her and she is safe and loved at home and gathering all her pride and her heart as she prepared to leave her family and boyfriend/fiancé she heads to Chicago to start a new life and also changing her future, her daughter Emma and granddaughter Parris's life forever..I admit I was pleasantly surprised by the twist this book had and with the tragic and seemingly doomed love story within the pages and am glad I stuck with it though I didn't find Cora's beginning story the most interesting, actually my favorite story was Emma's however she also had the shortest tale and I could see and would read a spinoff novel just on her as Parris's story was kinda all over the place...Overall I did enjoy this book for what it was and it is a genre I seldom read about the old desegregated South with its rules and the Southern women that held it down and had to meekly but strongly manage not only their households but their White employers as well with their every move scrutinized and degraded simply because they were colored women..that was a powerful story and as its Black History month and I am trying to read more educational and insightful reads this was a good one...P.S. Don't worry I will still read all the trashy, silly, dramatic reads that catch my eye too LOL :)

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows what people would do for there dreams and not to forget them.This book was sad at times and very emotional.There are many messages this book brings to me and makes me think about.
1)Never forget who you love
2)Always forgive others
3)Don't take what you have for granted
4)Don't give up on your dreams
and many others.This book is worth reading and I'm sure you will be enlightened from its contents.
#Religious#1920#African American

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at Barnes and Noble about 5 yrs ago, not knowing who this writer was and never reading this type of book before, and i was pleasantly surprised to learn that I liked history- albeit harsh histrory- mixed in with my fiction. I keep this on my book shelf to show that I do have good taste in reading

[she.likes.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the historical content in this book... from Jim Crow to Blues and Jazz. I loved the characters in this book they were full of depth.

[Michelle Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is clearly one of my favorite DOnna Hill books.

[Karen Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story following three generations of women who are struggling to find their identity and discover love.

[Shujuan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read both: Rhythms and then What Mother Never Told Me. Characters tend to hang around you for a couple of days.....lol

[Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you have closed the covers. A powerful story.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about three generations of women- Cora, her daughter Emma and her grand daughter Parris in Rudell, Mississippi.
Cora was a sharecropper's daughter turned preacherman who worshipped in the Baptist Church.
Cora parents Pearl and Joshua Harvey house was burned by The Knight Rider also known as the KKK..It took a while before she pulled her self together, but when she did she left and went to Chicago but it was not what she expected and she ended up having to come back home but Dr. David Mackey ask to married her and 6 months later she had a baby. Cora was keeping a secret.
I can go on and on about this book. It's very good cause I started reading and put it down and started reading something else. But then I went back to it and I am glad I did.

[Jujubereadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read! I came to this book as I was interested in reading more about Black people who passed and discovered what was essentially a love story, many love stories really. We follow three generations of women (Cora, Emma and Parris) and see their experiences in the segregated South and the Great Migration. Each woman was so intriguing in their own ways. It's a story about choices, the consequences of those choices, and second chances. I think this would do well as a limited series. Hopeful that a talented person will discover this and bring it to TV. I think it would do really well.

[Jacqueline B Blackwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption

This novel was so incredibly compelling! I enjoyed all the twists and turns, the many stories of the complex characters. It was truly an exciting narrative. I couldn't wait to see what happens next.

If you want to read how a simple life life can turn into adventures you'll never forget, read this novel.

[Nadine Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of three generations of women, one family, each searching for identity, trying to fulfill dream. Cora, Emma and Parris.
Reread. First in May 2005.

[Mic C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, great generational story, too bad this author seems to no longer write novels like this

[Beverly Dummett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome reading experience!!!!!

[Just Read VI · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book to ever make me cry! A story of family secrets filled with twist and turns! Can't wait to read part 2!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for the 2nd book in this duology! Hill leaves you on quite the cliff hanger and i have heard great things about book 2

[Diane Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, just ordered the second book hope it is just as good!!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhythms is a story about four generations of black women beginning with Cora and her Mama. Cora is just coming of age at the beginning of the book living with her parents in a small Mississippi Delta town. Her father is a Baptist preacher and her mother is doing everything she can to raise Cora as a lady. We learn of Cora's beautiful singing voice as she sings in the church choir and we see her as she attracts the attention of the town's only black doctor. Cora has grown up wrapped in the protection of the people in the black community who live in a racially segregated town. She knows the effects of racism, but has never come in direct contact with it until her beau, David, takes her to town to see "The Jazz Singer". They stand in line for an hour only to be told there are no seats left in the black section of the theater. Her father becomes involved with the NAACP in an attempt to make life better for the people of the community, and the Klan fire-bombs his house, killing both him and his wife. After Cora recovers from such a horrific loss of her parents, she decides to go to Chicago to pursue her dream of becoming a jazz singer. As she steps on the train bound for Chicago, she sets in motion a series of events that will affect not only her, but the next two generations of women.

This book is beautifully written. The characters are fully developed and it is easy to experience empathy with them as they live through their times in life and history. The story is set during specific times in history, but it is not the central theme of the book. It merely provides a backdrop for the focus on the lives of women who struggle and survive and overcome. There are surprising twists that help keep the thread of the story interesting and the characters unpredictable.

[Dee Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would love to have the author write about Paris, since she seems to have it going on.
Many African American children, teenagers, young adults and older adults have experienced practically everything in this book and can relate to it. It’s hard to believe but back in the day times were like this and there are many of us who cannot back into our family history because of where our parents and grandparents came from, and they could not tell the true story and did not know their past. I always called it “shut mouth.” Color was a big thing too back then and you didn't know where you fit in.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of 3 women, Cora Harvey, her daughter Emma and her grand daughter, Paris. Cora leaves her home town of Ridell, MS and the man she loves, Dr. David Mackey for Chicago to be a singer. She returns with a secret that changes the lives of her family. A story of secrets and how they get uncovered. An enjoyable read.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of 3 women, Cora Harvey, her daughter Emma and her grand daughter, Paris. Cora leaves her home town of Ridell, MS and the man she loves, Dr. David Mackey for Chicago to be a singer. She returns with a secret that changes the lives of her family. A story of secrets and how they get uncovered. An enjoyable read.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this quite some time ago, just found the book in my closet. I remember it was a great story of families and how their love is enduring.

[Nicole]

This is one of my favorite books.. the storyline is beautiful.. it doesnt tell too much but doesn't leave out anything... So much to the mind, to envision both sides of the same story....

[Daphne James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Interesting read. I was not pleased with the way the book ended. Maybe there is a sequel.

[Tynece · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard for me too get into this book in the beginning but add I kept reading I really enjoyed the story.