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Search - What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day
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Book Description:
In a remarkable debut novel that sizzles with sensuality, crackles with life-affirming energy and moves the reader to laughter and tears, author Pearl Cleage creates a world rich in character, human drama, and deep, compassionate understanding. After a decade of luxe living in Atlanta, Ava Johnson has returned to tiny Idlewild, Michigan -- her fabulous career and power plans smashed to bits on one dark truth: Ava has tested positive for HIV. Bur rather than a sorrowful end, her homecoming is a new beginning. Because, in the ten-plus years since she left, all the problems of the big city have invaded the sleepy community of her childhood. Because dear friends and family sorely need her help in the face of impending trouble and tragedy and Ava cannot turn her back on them. And because, most importantly, Ava Johnson is inexplicably and undeniably falling in love.
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged)
Top Member Reviews
Melody L. (
11 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ava Johnson finds out that she is HIV Positive. She goes back home to be with her sister and get her head together before she moves on to San Francisco. Life takes several unexpected turns and leads Ava down a different road.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story. Sometimes funny, sometimes maddening--just like life.
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a wonderful book. I was laughing, crying, getting mad and feeling that sometimes, as the characters in this author's first novel does, you have to put aside your worries, and look at all the wonders that are so close, you know you're learning a life lesson. All my favorite characters in this novel are victims, who refuse to stay victims, because they're too involved helping others. I didn't understand the title at first, but it really fits the story. Cleage puts real life on paper!
Kathy A. (
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a great story of family and friends dealing with trouble and tragedy. A terrific quick read.
Melva S. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This story discusses a lot of real-life topics - AIDS, teen pregnancy, drug use - all of which occur in the suburbs in Michigan. I liked this book because it tackled all of these issues head-on. A lot of "coming homing" books are all about how home is where you are safe and where you belong; this book doesn't buy into that myth. It shows how the issues that we associate with "the city" are just as prevalent in "the country," and that the people who deal with them are just like everyone else in the suburbs.
It was a really quick read, and it's got everything - a little humor, a little romance, a little actions, etc.
Maureen C. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
When I first started this book, I did not expect to enjoy it. It came highly recommended to me, but I just didn't think I would be totally absorbed into it. After the first 50 pages, I was hooked! Sometimes it takes me at least that amount of paper and print to make a decision about a book...I am so glad that I gave this book time to grab me into its spell! It is a beautiful story! Very well written and very emotionally touching! Thank you, Pearl Cleage for the gift of this wonderful manuscript. It is a tale of love and positive energy in even the most negative of situations. It is a story of love and hope.
Andy R. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Listening to it in my car while I drive to work. This turned out to be a pretty good story. It gave me a new perspective on people living with HIV.
The writer has a wonderful grasp of dialogue and narration. It all sounded so natural, like the narrator was a believable person. The story, however, seems to come across as a made for tv movie, but, overall, it entertains.
Amy H. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
For years I've wanted to read this book. It's one of those that I'd pick up and read the back cover and then change my mind at the last minute. I loved this book. It is witty, sweet, and realistic. A great fast read. :-)
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This story of two sisters and their struggles and victories is a touching and honest one. It is a fairly easy read and flowed smoothly.
Terry A. from WASH BORO, PA wrote on 3/31/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the best books I've read in a while! Very real, timely, and with a measure of hope thrown in amidst the tragedy. It was hard to put down and I hated to see it end.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A beautiful rendition about heartache, and courage,and the ability to start life anew after the tradgedy of AIDS.
Rate These Member Reviews
This is such a good book. WOW!!! It grabs you and doesn't let go. It's a love story, a life story, a dealing with life story and it approaches you from the gut. Every woman should read this book!
just wonderful - wonderfully written - expressed well / true to life / I was full of tears in parts / full of anger in others / and ready to do bodily harm in a couple more pages! WQNDERFUL!!! Will request / read others by this same author!
Very Good read. About a woman coming to grips with AIDS , family & love. Very good, fast read.
Laurie S. from BROOKLYN, NY wrote on 1/9/2008...I really liked this book. It was very uplifting.
LYNN K. (I requested this book because I have read and enjoyed many of the other books that were selected for Oprah's Book Club. I could not get into this one and did not even finish it. It's about a woman who returns home after finding out that she's HIV positive.
I really enjoyed this book. Some of the events that occur in the book are maddening and you think that if it happened to you, you just couldn't stand it. But then you keep reading to find out how the people in the story face it and you think, I want to know these people. These are people who survive and take action in situations I am not sure I could deal with. An easy read but one that stays with you and makes you think.
I liked this book. Like the most of the books from Oprah's Book Club.
A fun read and a different perspective.
Muffie G. from LINCOLN CITY, OR wrote on 11/8/2006...I liked this book for the characters, and the narration.