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Waiting to Exhale

(Waiting To Exhale #1)

Terry McMillan (Goodreads Author)

3.98 · Rating details · 15,094 ratings · 546 reviews

Robin Stokes is a successful insurance professional recovering from a deadend love affair. They say love is a two-way street. But I don't believe it, because the one I've been on for the last two years was a dirt road. After months of depression, shopping, and dating all the wrong men, she's getting by with a little help from her friends - and still determined to fine the ...more

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Paperback, 400 pages

Published November 27th 2001 by Washington Square Press (first published May 28th 1992)

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Average rating 3.98 ·

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· 15,094 ratings · 546 reviews

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Mar 24, 2018 Adam Brigue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Love this book so much. Bernadine made me laugh like crazy!!! Definitely read this book it will make your year!!!

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Jan 14, 2019 etherealfire rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Read this in the early/mid-nineties before the movie came out (which I also really liked and cemented my devoted fangirling of Angela Bassett).

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Aug 08, 2007 Linda rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

This is a case where I actually thought the movie was better than the book. The scene where Angela Bassett's character torches her philandering husband's vehicle with all his worldly goods inside was worth the price of admission. ...more

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Jan 06, 2009 Nardsbaby Reader rated it really liked it · review of another edition

That’s What Friends Are For

I originally read WAITING TO EXHALE in the 90s when I was a teenager. A group of us decided to reread the story to see if it would have the same impact on as mature women. I have never reread a book before. I was under the impression that doing so the story wouldn’t be as interesting and predictable. As key parts of the story, the line up from the movie played out, I could actually hear Whitney Houston, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine and Angela Bassett’s voices.

Savanna ...more

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Feb 24, 2008 Tracey L.H. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who wants to feel a Black woman's pain

I read this book in high school and I was disgusted! Then in African American Lit class for my junior year, we watched the movie, and I still hated it!

But it wasn't until I went to college that the book and its' leading ladies reverberated with my soul and outlook on men, life, and love!

One of my friends, who is Hispanic, said the book was stupid! And I and every other black woman looked at her and said she was crazy as hell! And I vehemently told her she'll NEVER experience what Black women fee ...more

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Aug 30, 2018 BAM Endlessly Booked rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: african-american-interest, audiobooks, library, chick-lit

Audio # 147

Fantastic novel about empowering women who aren’t perfect but can learn from their mistakes. I loved being given a peek into their minds and listening to them make their decisions. I’d probably make the same ones.

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Jan 30, 2014 Damara rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Not exactly sure why I read this. I suppose it was entertaining enough, but the writing was atrocious. The dialogue seemed wooden and disjointed (not to mention unnecessarily vulgar at times), but maybe since I was born in '86 I can't properly understand the plight of thirty something black women in the early '90s. Either way it was a quick read. I didn't hate it, but I also was disappointed by the lack of resolution at the end. I may have been better off just watching the movie, lol ...more

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Aug 01, 2019 Renée | Book Girl Magic rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I’ve always been a huge fan of the movie. In fact, it’s probably one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time! I came into this book a little skeptical. Not because I thought the book would be bad....but I prefer having my books spoiler free, meaning not having watched the movie first.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It got more into depth with the characters I loved so much and really painted a brighter picture for me. I loved how raw these ladies were. Cursing, wild sexcapades and just being the ...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: chick-lit, contemporary, fiction, novels, romance, ultimate-reading-list

This is the tale of four black women who are friends in early 1990s Phoenix, Arizona. I can't say I found any of the woman all that likable; they're so whiny and man-hungry. We first meet Savannah, never married and without children at thirty-six. She's affluent, doing well in her career in public relations, but tired of being single and of the faults of "buppie" (young black urban professional) males. She tells us, "I worry about if and when I'll ever find the right man, if I'll ever be able to ...more

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Dec 30, 2009 Sarah rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book has so many early 90s moments that I was often laughing as the characters listen to Paula Abdul in their Nissans while committing various fashion and hair crimes. No suede dress or fuschia lipstick is left undescribed.

The detailed episodes of lousy sex that the main characters endure with every possible kind of loser are funny and icky. Also the constant swearing and foul-mouthedness is great. This book has a light-heartedness that is endearing. Things are bought and used for pleasure; ...more

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Dec 30, 2014 Rena rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: back-in-the-day, dt

More like 4.5 stars

Waiting to Exhale is one of those books I should have read years ago. Literally every woman and her mama have become familiar with the lives of Savannah, Bernadine, Robin and Gloria, and I did also, but through the movie version (which I love). But now that I've finally read the book, I can say it lives up to the phenomenon it once was back in the early 1990s. Of course, it's much more fleshed out in the book, and I can see how Terry McMillan stirred so many black women and ho ...more

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May 20, 2011 Cyndy Aleo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: women-s-fiction, favorites, diverse

Before the pap that was How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Terry McMillan wrote the brilliant Waiting to Exhale, a story of four female friends and their triumphs and failures in their relationships with men.

::: The New Musketeers :::

As the novel opens, Savannah has just quit her job to move to a new job in Phoenix, where her friend Bernadine lives, in hopes of furthering her career and moving from public relations to television producing. Bernadine herself has just found out that her husband has n Before the pap that was How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Terry McMillan wrote the brilliant Waiting to Exhale, a story of four female friends and their triumphs and failures in their relationships with men.

::: The New Musketeers :::

As the novel opens, Savannah has just quit her job to move to a new job in Phoenix, where her friend Bernadine lives, in hopes of furthering her career and moving from public relations to television producing. Bernadine herself has just found out that her husband has not only been having an affair, but is leaving her for a white woman. Bernadine's other two friends, Gloria and Robin, aren't faring much better; Gloria is struggling with her teenage son, Tarik, and Robin is up to her eyeballs in debt and involved with a philandering loser who uses her for money, Russell.

Not one of the four seems to be able to find a good man. Savannah is too picky; Gloria is too wrapped up in her hair salon and raising her son on her own; Robin picks all the wrong men; and Bernadine finds that she has given her all to a man for eleven years and lost her own identity in the process. Savannah's move to Phoenix seems to coincide with changes in all their lives, as Bernadine finds a life outside her husband (after a scene made famous in the movie where she dumps her husband's designer suits in his BMW and sets the whole thing on fire), Gloria begins to let go of her son, Robin realizes that she doesn't always need a man to be with her, and that it's better to be alone than with the wrong man just to be with someone, and Savannah learns to let go and open up a little bit.

::: All For One and One For All :::

Throughout all the ups and downs with men, some serious and some downright comical, what comes through is how important friendship between women can be, both when life is going well and when it's not. Each one of the women has something to learn from the others, be it a willingness to loosen up a little, or a need to become more responsible. Throughout it all, the friends are able to accept each other as they are, even when they disagree with life choices. All three friends know that Robin's boyfriend Russell is a no-account loser, but accept that she needs to realize that on her own, even as they vent about him to each other.

McMillan's writing makes the women's relationships as well as their experiences tangible. Every woman can relate to Savannah's horror at finding herself stuck with a clingy man who was introduced by friends, and every woman will sigh when Bernadine meets James, who may well be the perfect man aside from his wife. While the focus is on four African-American women, the friendships and experiences with men are something that any woman can relate to, even if some of the characterizations of the men they meet border on stereotype. Their relationships with men don't define their lives; they merely reflect them. This book is a must-read.

This review previously published at Epinions: http://www.epinions.com/review/Waitin... ...more

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Nov 28, 2013 Danita Brown rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of my favorite books by her.

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Jun 09, 2014 Black Carrie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cherry-s-favorites

the movie & the book were great ! I read this book in High School =)(= & i SEEN THE MOVIE BEFORE THAT. THE MOVIE DID THE BOOK & movie are sightly different but the movie still does the book JUSTICE & THEN SOME.

I CAN SEE MYSELF AS A ROBIN ( minus the naive parts ) hopeful for love then as Bernadine if it all crashes down :).

I think all the women deserved what they needed & learned what they were suppose to learn ; especially your girl Bernie she's the real winner with a good heart through and th ...more

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Aug 18, 2018 Sian Lile-Pastore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I love how nineties this is! I WANT to hear about people dancing to Caribbean Queen, Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul!! McMillan draws such great characters too - and has such a lovely, real storytelling style - I was surprised about how salty the language was! And I loved it! It made me laugh.

it is light - think sex and the city before sex and the city even existed - and its mainly about getting a guy (which got a little tiresome after a while) but under the lightness there's grit and steel! of co ...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Dee's Reading Zone rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: spunky, time-will-tell, read-it-again, emotional-read, attraction-grows, go-to-author, emotional-baggage

Reread- July 25, 2019

Still a favorite~

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Oct 05, 2018 Tamara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great quick read!

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Apr 01, 2018 . rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This was my second time reading the book. I first read it in high school, because I'd always heard the book and movie were really good. When I read it in high school, I lowkey hated the characters. I thought they were birds, and didn't understand all the wrong choices they made in men. But I was like 15, 16 years old so I thought I'd think better of it if I read it now since I'm older. Well I'm 24, almost 25 now, and I still think they're birds and I don't understand all of the bad choices they ...more

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Aug 02, 2018 Ahraé Ogunbamiyo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Phenomenal book! I read this book thinking that it would be something that I wouldn’t understand because of adult women problems. I finished thinking about how I’m going to face things like this in the very near future! Terry McMillan does not disappoint! 10 Stars!!! Reading Getting To Happy next!

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Sep 25, 2017 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: novel, genre-contemporary

I really liked it, but the situation with the father was wrapped up and brushed off too quickly.

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Nov 30, 2017 Lillian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I love the book and the movie! I saw the movie first and I had to read the book. Great book and definitely one of my all time favorites.

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Dec 20, 2017 Sieara DeLone rated it really liked it · review of another edition

It was a bit difficult to keep up with all the different storylines, but I got it after a while. This book is a roller coaster, but it's very real to a lot of Black women. I have seen this happen to friends of my mother and my mother even. It's a story that needed to be told from this perspective. Ms.McMillan did a good job. ...more

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Jan 22, 2016 Ari rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2016

IQ "I know I'm not going to hear from him. And I hate the thought that I made a fool of myself. That I spilled my guts. Made my most intimate feelings known. How could somebody who acted so since be so insincere? How could he play with my feelings like this? I would never do this kind of shit to anybody." Savannah, 372

^Speak.On.It. It's probably just the frame of mood I'm in right now but those words perfectly capture how irritated I feel right now at placing myself in a similar situation. And t IQ "I know I'm not going to hear from him. And I hate the thought that I made a fool of myself. That I spilled my guts. Made my most intimate feelings known. How could somebody who acted so since be so insincere? How could he play with my feelings like this? I would never do this kind of shit to anybody." Savannah, 372

^Speak.On.It. It's probably just the frame of mood I'm in right now but those words perfectly capture how irritated I feel right now at placing myself in a similar situation. And there was no happy ending for either of us although of course we'll survive and move on. Just a quick digression, moving on.

I finally saw this movie last year and then a few days ago I decided to read the book since it's been in our home library for as long as I can remember. It has both a blessing and a cursing that this book is so dated. Personally I don't think it holds up well because there have been so many other books and a sprinkling of films and a plethora of articles that are easily accessible online that discuss the same things the author does in this book. However that is not the fault of the author so while I felt like it was redundant I recognize that at the time it was released, it was revolutionary. Using the characters the author is able to delve into a variety of conversation driven issues that white America was likely unaware of and confirm to Black women that they are not crazy for feeling the way they do. But the beauty of the book being so dated is also that I got a great feel for 30something 90s life, the author is incredibly descriptive of the music the women listen to, the slang they use, the popular contraceptives and the clothes they wear. It was eye opening (for example they talk about douching which every gyno now advises against) and amusing. Plus the Arizona setting puts you right in the thick of the battle to get MLK Day recognized (although I wish she had mentioned the political reasoning for why there was opposition). I also found the rumors swirling around HIV/AIDs to be chilling but enthralling, I was aware that SOME people at first had crazy paranoid reactions but McMillan manages convey the gravity of the situation as MOST people overreacted when they learned someone they knew had been diagnosed.

It should be noted that I absolutely hated Robin though and was veering toward that with Gloria as well. I have no patience in real life for friends who consistently make awful boy decisions and that carries over into my reading habits apparently. I raced through her chapters because she annoyed me so much and Gloria just made me sad because she had no life. But at least Gloria's life is looking up at the end, I wish I could say the same for Robin. I hope the author exaggerated the character of Robin because I shudder to think they are women out there who are that foolish, although I didn't appreciate how her friends slut shamed her constantly (so I guess I'll give McMillan credit for making me feel an ounce of sympathy and understanding). Bernie is also frustrating at first but out of all the characters it seemed like she actually grew into her own by the end and she was the most entertaining to read about. Also this is more of my own hang up but I finished this book in an absolute panic that I won't be afford to take care of my parents and am now struggling with the urge to switch career paths. So there's that. And that there's no hope for me when I'm ready to date. But again that's personal and I tried not to let it affect my review, if anything it speaks to the strength of the author because she really managed to hit home with all the issues she brings up.

Ultimately this is an enduring tale because of the beautifully portrayed friendship and unfortunately because Black women and men still have such a long way to go and the issues of class, race and gender aren't going anywhere. Some people may be annoyed by all the 80s and 90s references but I found it enjoyable. ...more

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Mar 17, 2014 Crystal rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked this book up. I'm trying to read writing with more diverse experiences and points of view, and I have a vague memory of seeing the movie and enjoying it--mostly Angela Bassett's fiercess and that crazy scene where she destroys her husband's car.
So either my memory is faulty or the book is a lot different than the movie. Honestly, I didn't like this very much. And even though I didn't really like this book, I don't know if it's because the characte I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked this book up. I'm trying to read writing with more diverse experiences and points of view, and I have a vague memory of seeing the movie and enjoying it--mostly Angela Bassett's fiercess and that crazy scene where she destroys her husband's car.
So either my memory is faulty or the book is a lot different than the movie. Honestly, I didn't like this very much. And even though I didn't really like this book, I don't know if it's because the character are as awful as I think they are, or at least partly because of cultural differences. There was honestly only one person I liked consistently in this story--Gloria. Gloria worked hard, was a responsible parent, and cared for everyone else in her life. She was irresponsible in her eating habits, and paid the health prices for it, but she was a good person, a good mom, a good boss, and a good friend. Also, she didn't bang any married men, which puts her leagues above her other friends.
I was honestly horrified how much infidelity went on in this book, involving characters that were meant to be sympathetic. Bernadine's husband is supposed to be so horrible partly because he cheated on her for a long time and then left her for someone else. So why is it OK for Bernadine and her friends to turn around and do the same thing, often multiple times/ on an extended basis? I've escaped from a controlling, mentally abusive relationship too, and I know there's a certain feeling of wildness at first--just because you can. But just because you suddenly COULD do something doesn't mean you should or make it remotely OK. Bernadine needed to take some lessons on being there for her kids from Gloria, because frankly, through much of the book, I thought someone should call child services on her. Plus, her sexual/ romantic choices were just ick. A revolving door of lovers, some of them married, just seems nasty to me.
I actually had a difficult time getting invested in any of the relationships, because there was such a revolving door leading up to them. Multiple sex scenes with multiple lovers for each of the non-Gloria women, most of them more gross than sexy--after awhile I knew not to get my hopes up when a character was introduces. maybe it's realistic...but no thanks. Just no.
Savannah was probably the other most sympathetic character for me. (I'm not even going to talk about the selfish, immature, crazy hot mess that was Robin. Her ending? *shakes head*) But Savannah was a responsible, hardworking person and a good friend (no matter how the women all talked to each other--I assume that's just a cultural difference?). I appreciated her strength and I wanted a good ending for her. But her sexual choices weren't much better than the other three.
oh, and don't even get me started on the ridiculously dated writing. Everything had to be a current name brand--food, cigarettes, TV shows, clothing and shoe brands, cars, etc. I find that kind of writing tacky anyway, but reading it so many years after it was written, it felt even more distracting and unnecessary than usual.
By the end, due to my frustrations with most of the women's choices and my lack of investment in the male characters and their relationships, I couldn't buy into their (happy-ish) endings. The endings felt forced or cliche, somehow, and in some cases, very not deserved. Overall, a very unsatisfying read, and not an author I'd seek out again.

PS....aware that I'm speaking of a sub-culture about which I'm unfortunately not as knowledgeable as I would like to be, I'm totally willing and open to any information or explanations that could change my understanding of the book and its characters. ...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Nakia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is my third time reading this novel, but luckily so much time passed since the last time I picked this book up, it was like reading it for the first time.

The beginning started off sketchy. All of the characters had my side eye ready to explode, but as I delved deeper into the story, I grew closer to them, and better understood their pain and plight. I saw a lot of the old me in all of these women, which at some points made me sad, and at other points made me extremely happy that I'd learne ...more

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Nov 24, 2007 Linda rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: those in between relationships

Shelves: chick-lit

I started and finished this book on Thanksgiving day 2007. (My parents work Holidays so festivities were bleak) I think I'm going through a breakup? Dude completely stopped calling. Great book to read if you want to speed up the recovery. Reminds you some men are just pansies and you're lucky if you have good friends to take the edge off the stings.

Twas a therapeutic experience.

Funny because I watched the movie for the first time 2 years ago after a more substantial breakup and it was one of m ...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Antonina Sh added it · review of another edition

Wonderful reading - sweet and easy, but leaving a taste of solitude on the tip of your tongue. I found bits of myself here and there in every female character, as I'm sure every woman who reads it does. After all, as different as we are, most of the time it's about the same things: solitude, first moment excitement when you seem to have found The One, disappointment, passion, fireworks, bitterness.... etc.

Huge thanks to the author for leaving it without all those cheesy happily ever after ending ...more

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May 13, 2017 Kemesha Gabbidon rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book was okay for me. I enjoy McMillan's style of writing and really wanted to love the characters. I rooted for their stories but struggled to care once I realized that their lives were so focused on men with little resolution, they were desperate and needy and I couldn't identify with any of them. There is just so much more to life than men and it seemed almost that the characters didn't enjoy anything else. I will say I enjoyed the sisterhood but there is so much more for them to experie ...more

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Feb 22, 2020 Jennifer Holik rated it liked it · review of another edition

Four black women living in Phoenix in the 90s.

Savannah decides to leave Denver for Phoenix. The pretense is a new job, but it's one that forces her to take a paycut. Which is a bit crazy considering she's also supporting her mother financially. Based on what comes out about her past, I believe she is just bouncing from one city to the next hungrily searching for something to make her feel complete. I think she believes this is a man, that love will finally make her happy and feel whole. Really, Four black women living in Phoenix in the 90s.

Savannah decides to leave Denver for Phoenix. The pretense is a new job, but it's one that forces her to take a paycut. Which is a bit crazy considering she's also supporting her mother financially. Based on what comes out about her past, I believe she is just bouncing from one city to the next hungrily searching for something to make her feel complete. I think she believes this is a man, that love will finally make her happy and feel whole. Really, she desperately needs to find herself.

Bernadine is trapped in a loveless marriage with a man she doesn't much care for and knows cheats on her. Yet she's still completely blindsided when he decides to leave her. I think she believed that by letting him screw around and not questioning him about it, they had some unspoken agreement to stay together for the kids: to be a team.

Gloria has spent her life being more or less married to her son. She's trying to raise a good man all on her own, eschewing any chance at romance with anyone other than his father who doesn't want her and barely has anything to do with the boy. She also struggles with her weight and running her own salon. She needs to learn to love herself and that she's worthy of love too.

Robin is entirely too obsessed with astrology, numerology, and other mysticism rather than taking responsibility and control for her own life. She's sexually aggressive, which isn't a bad thing, but she has terrible taste in men so she's constantly bouncing between several who aren't worthy of her while pushing away the only one who is worth her time.

Another book that has me torn. I enjoyed so much about the book. I liked the stories of their lives (yes even Robin's was interesting at times even if not instantly relatable). I loved how much there was in her of depth: social issues that impact us all (aging parents, raising children, marriage), well known black issues (HIV, crack, gangs), presumably real issues for any minority living in an area where there isn't a large percentage of the population to interact and identify with (such as black people in Phoenix). I love that these friends have each other, learn from each other, and support each other. There are so many little lessons in here. But...

The lack of resolution is troubling. I get that life goes on and sometimes it's not tied up in a pretty little bow. But books, are at the very least tied up even if it's not a pretty little bow. This book feels like the author eventually just stopped writing. I don't like that. I also realize that anytime you have a book told from multiple viewpoints, there is the chance of getting confused. But 2 of the stories are told in first person and 2 are not. That is infinitely confusing, especially when there is no chapter header to tell you which lady is speaking. Sometimes it takes several pages to even get to a line of dialogue where someone calls her by her name so you can figure out which life you are reading about. I can't even use the supporting characters to figure out what is going on. Even the stuff they talk about has enough overlap that it's not readily apparent. It was just terribly taxing to keep it all straight until about 2/3 of the way through.

And lastly, there was one major issue I had with Bernadine. There is a scene in which John has upset her yet again via Onika (their daughter). Onika is babbling on about her visit with John and the events of that visit, which upsets Bernadine. John Junior (the son) calls Onika a bitch, slaps her, and tells her to shut up because she talks too much and upset their mom. Bernadine listens on & watches all this from the secrecy of her bedroom WITH GLEE. Ok. I have an issue that she thinks this is appropriate behavior. It just seems to me that no, her son is not "on her side". Her son is exhibiting exactly the kind of behaviors that the ladies in the book complain about in the men they date. What type of man is he becoming?! And what kind of woman are you raising in your daughter by showing her that this is acceptable behavior from a man?! This scene alone significantly hurt an otherwise great book. ...more

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Apr 10, 2020 Beverlee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: rerun-rereads, quarantine-catch-me-up

I think it’s a sign of growth when you can revisit a book nearly 25 years later and it’s like reading a new book. Admission #1-pretty certain I saw the movie before I read the book. Then again I was 15. This is a book that I took at face value without really thinking about the message. Savannah, Bernadine, Gloria, and Robin are friends living in Phoenix. They are in the 35-38 age range, all are relatively successful in their chosen professions. The drama is centered around the men in their lives I think it’s a sign of growth when you can revisit a book nearly 25 years later and it’s like reading a new book. Admission #1-pretty certain I saw the movie before I read the book. Then again I was 15. This is a book that I took at face value without really thinking about the message. Savannah, Bernadine, Gloria, and Robin are friends living in Phoenix. They are in the 35-38 age range, all are relatively successful in their chosen professions. The drama is centered around the men in their lives. Bernadine is going through a divorce after eleven years of being a devoted wife. Savannah is newly moved to Phoenix and is chasing a career goal of becoming a television producer and finding Mr. Right. Gloria is the owner of a popular salon but somewhere along the way she buried her dream of happily ever after and her focus is primarily on her teenage son. Robin is the youngest of the quartet and is described as “dizzy”. She’s in an on/off relationship with Russell, a man not married to her. The other men in her life, Michael & Troy are not astrological matches, therefore they’re unsuitable.
Admission #2-the references to material things and popular culture are dated but that doesn’t change the emotions felt when reading. I so wanted everyone to find what brings them peace and fulfillment. What I don’t like or understand is the idea that life has to contain a partner to be seen as complete. It’s not real life, but these women possess so much more patience with the men in their lives than I would if I was in their shoes. Admission #3-so what’s the point of it all? Waiting to Exhale means what to who? Is it when you finally reach a desired moment in life when everything is established and moving in the direction you want and it’s time to relax and enjoy? Or does it mean taking a moment to examine what’s wrong and what’s right in one’s life and hitting a “reset” button if needed? Another way to put it, what’s more important the journey or the destination?
Other 💭
What kind of commentary is shared about relationships between Black women and men, particularly the author’s intent? My opinion is that McMillan is aiming to show that happiness will come, maybe not the way we picture it.
What about gender roles? McMillan seemingly writes Robin as having little common sense and sexually liberated. Yet Savannah & Bernadine are presented as intelligent yet they are sexually active and not necessarily in committed relationships. Gloria is the only character presented as celibate and she is the one who ends up in a lasting relationship (so close to revealing a spoiler from the sequel). Gloria is also described as being overweight and that’s supposedly a hinderance in her finding Mr. Right. Is this a back-handed way to compliment Gloria in the end or am I being too sensitive? Is this a different way of projecting patriarchal beliefs by clothing it as feminist text? Or is it feminist in presenting the many ways African American exercise agency over their sexuality?
4 stars for being honest. Honesty is not always pretty and cloaked in respectability. ...more

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Play Book Tag: Listopia Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan - 4 Stars	3	12	Sep 09, 2018 11:52AM

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About Terry McMillan

Terry McMillan

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Terry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was fourteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley and the MFA Film Program at Columbia University. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.

Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 wit ...more