The Middle Sister: A Novel

The middle sister instantly brought back my own memories of growing up in Brooklyn during the 1970s. It was well written and the characters made you identify with them immediately. Excellent first novel.

Good story. I guess I was looking for pammy to do more with her life in the end than becoming a mistress.

This book grabbed at my heart. I was able to laugh and cry because I could relate to the events inside.

When Pamelas father leaves their home in Brooklyn in the `70s, he leaves a family of deeply injured women--a wife who slips into madness and three daughters who hide their anguish and loss deep in their souls. They are forced by their altered economics to leave their shabby but beloved house in East New York and move into the projects, and the girls lives change irrevocably. In doing what each must to do to survive, Pamela and her sisters Nona and Theresa forge a new and vital strength in their re-defined family. This is a story of making human connections in spite of the pain of a difficult life, and Glover tells it deftly, lovingly and not without humor. She paints her characters completely, yet without a stray detail; they are as natural and believable as their Brooklyn Black dialect. Susan ONeill, Author:

Pamela Johnson is the middle sister, who along with sisters Nona & Theresa have the daunting task of keeping the sanity of their family. After their dad vacated his Daddy spot, the mental fabric of the family becomes tattered and its all the girls can do to survive in the midst of their Mothers mental breakdown. BONNIE J. GLOVERS debut novel is not a bad effort at all. In fact its quite daring and introspective on more than just one level. The writing at times becomes a bit pretentious, but the overall effect is notable for this first-time fiction author. The Middle Sister is set in 1970s East New York where Pamela conjures an invisible friend into being, as if he were the Father figure that shed missed since the days of her daddys departure. In fact that is the only plausible reason for the appearance of Kwai Chang - David Carradines character from the old action series Kung Fu - to offer the fatherly advice that is lacking in Pamelas life. This fact speaks very boldly on how one survives the devastation of life. It speaks on how the human mind places that very survival above all other situations that make up the muck of life. And that is exactly what GLOVERS expertly crafted novel represents: surviving the muck the world sometimes offers up. And as a side motif: finding buried talents and establishing them as part of your own persona, your own legacy. [pg. 56] The lock on the apartment door turned slowly and made a grinding noise when Nona pushed it open. Theresa rolled her eyes since we had been trying to be as quiet as possible. I thought right away that I would check my toolbox to see if I had any four-in-one. Id lubricated the lock and doorknob and get rid of that sound. Funny how I knew what to do with problems like doorknobs or dripping faucets without thinking hard. In my mind I could see exactly how I would approach a problem like that, what tools Id use, and how long the job would take, all in a few seconds. Maybe that was my talent, fixing things like Daddy used to do. That made me smile a little inside. -------------------- No doubt Pamelas talent for solving problems and preserving the peace within is the glue that keeps this family together. And youd better believe GLOVER gives Pamela and her sisters more than their fair share of problems to resolve, conquer and move beyond. Sometimes GLOVER does this with startling and chilling alacrity, but at other times the sobering effect of her writing is bittersweet with humor. At one point in this spectacular freshman effort the sisters have taken their Mother for a doctors visit. Having witnessed Alzheimers work its mystical effects, this scene is firmly etched in my memory: [pg. 119] That James Brown, he sure do know how to keep that head combed. Wished I could get a perm to do like his do. Mama, you look fine. You dont need no perm. You got an Afro now. You a real soul sister. ....The door opened, and a large white woman came in holding a folder in her right hand and fumbling to put on glasses with her left... Mrs. Johnson? Thats me, Doctor. My name is Dr. Renee Moore.... Can you tell me whats wrong? My mother waited a couple of seconds, then looked at Nona, me, and Theresa. They say I done lost my mind. And what do you say? That its a matter of opinion. Id never heard Mama speak like this before. I jerked my head up. Why is it a matter of opinion? Maybe I aint lose it, maybe I just misplaces it every once in a while. Mama gave the doctor one of the grins she gave to us when we brought her home a candy bar or burger from McDonalds.... -------------------- Another poignant moment is when GLOVER reveals to us Nonas lesbianism. The very fact was announced in such a way as one never saw it coming, but the way the Johnson family embraced Nona makes for a very admirable stance. GLOVERS novel has shattered stereotypes of mega proportions. She has given a voice to the strength of iron will and determination. She has given a voice to the mentally ill and the ill-spurned alike. She has shown that in the face of adversity one must be there for family and shes done so in stunning & beautiful fashion. 4 ½ Stars - Introspective, Strong-voiced & Admirable Jacquii Cooke Mahogany Media Review

This was an excellent read. A book of young black women having to survive and care for their mother. What I did not like was the fact that their father never looked for them or tried to be a part of their lives.

This is the type of novel that i hate to finish. After the first couple of chapters, these characters had become a part of my life. To finish reading the novel is painful, like losing friends.

That was deep, in my opinion. I didnt know what to expect with this book, but it was so good, so real, so thought provoking. I cant come up with anything else. Excellent read.

I really enjoyed this book,until I got to end. I liked how the characters developed throughout the story. How touching the story was, but I was very disappointed in the ending. I had to go back and reread the previous pages to make sure I hadn’t skipped some pages. Is there a continuation I’m not aware of?

This is a very good book, the middle sister is a very strong person who can hold things together for her family.