 December 2002
P.G. County
by Connie Briscoe
Best-selling author Connie Briscoe (Sisters and Lovers, Big Girls Don’t Cry, The Long Way Home) is back on the scene after a lengthy hiatus. We find her telling the tale of life in an affluent suburban community of five women who distinctly show differences for who they are, what class of society they belong, and how much lust, love, and dirty secrets they manage to whip up. The word drama takes on a new meaning once Barbara, Jolene, Candice, Pearl, and Lee get through their complex machinations.
Barbara is a prima donna recovering from alcoholism dealing with a rich philandering husband; Jolene is slick and conniving, intent on stealing Bradford (Barbara’s husband) and moving up the social strata. Adding to her situation is Patrick her husband who has decided that two can play that game. He has his eyes on Pearl, who is Barbara’s hairdresser and the mother of Kenyatta. Kenyatta is in love with a white girl by the name of Ashley who is the daughter of Candice. Candice on her part, is white and outspoken, but her true colors show when she tries to deal a problem too close for comfort. Last but certainly not least, is Lee an adolescent running away from life, and the uncanny ability to find trouble in the wrong places.
Having read any of Ms Briscoe’s previous novels would make you feel at home with a style reminiscent of Terry McMillan’s penchant for weaving intricate plots with subplots that keep the characters jumping. But what happens when there’s all action but no meaningful filler to flesh the story? Most of the sista girl novels of this type seem to be predictable and a sameness that hollers for a different beat, which makes you feel that you’ve been there and done that.
For pure entertainment though, and if you’re really a Briscoe fan, you’d want to read this book to the end, for it doesn’t disappoint in making it like the rest of them cut from the same mold. With the diverse characters, and the author’s skill at making five women know that they are truly different flavors, may prove to be the type of fluff par for this course. While reading the book I was waiting for any degree of separation to give it the final push over the hump to justify the hype. If the ending was more than enough to make up for all of the bickering and backstabbing in lieu of adequate pacing, perhaps we’d be privy to a much better story indicative of what I know she can write. Out of five stars, I give it 3 ½.
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