Seen It All and Done the Rest

December 24, 2007
This jaunty but topical coming-of-middle-age story from Cleage (Baby Brother’s Blues
) opens with an indignant argument about American culpability in the Iraq war, as African-American actress Josephine Evans—a self-proclaimed “Las Vegas of grandmothers” living and working in Amsterdam—has just been fired from a theater production, ostensibly for being too American. She returns to Atlanta to spend time with her granddaughter Zora, recently undone by her peripheral role in a splashy murder case, and to check on her family house. Josephine is hoping to keep Zora’s trust while steering her away from Zora’s father’s tragic bout with alcohol. After seeing the cracked-out wreckage of her stretch of Atlanta’s West End, Josephine also embarks on a plan with four other women to fix up her vandalized manse, a plan that includes the squatter she discovers there, Victor Causey. The plot is predictable but satisfying, and Josephine’s voice comes through movingly throughout.

February 1, 2008
Cleage's ("Baby Brother's Blues") new novel gives us yet another glimpse into Atlanta's West End community and introduces new characters and new scandals. Josephine Evans, an African American actress with a successful theater career in Amsterdam, finds her livelihood threatened when the Iraq War makes her the target of an anti-American protest. Josephine decides to travel back to Atlanta to nurture her granddaughter, Zora, who is drinking heavily since being hounded by the press for her involvement in a murder scandal. But Zora isn't Josephine's only rescue mission: the house Josephine inherited from her mother is in ruins. Cleage tackles several subjectspatriotism, legacy, crime, and urban renewalwith such style that this hodgepodge story line actually comes together smoothly. Recommended for all public libraries and African American fiction collections.Carol Johnson, Cleveland P.L.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2008
After 30 years living abroad, polishing her reputation as a world-renowned actress, Josephine Evans returns home to Atlanta. Conflict in her theater company in Amsterdam and growing anti-American sentiments are driving her return. But the pull of her granddaughter Zora, distressed by her role in a local scandal, is just as compelling. Josephine has much unfinished business, recalling her distance from her son, Zoras father, a man who eventually drank himself to death. She worries that Zora may be taking the same path to relieve her guilt and heartache. Upon returning to Atlantas West End community, Josephine runs across Abbie Browning, an old friend who has had her share of wanderlust and disappointments andlike Josephinehas managed to maintain a passion for life. Through Abbie, Josephine reconnects to West End Atlanta, and America, and relearns the meaning of family and community. Cleage revives some beloved characters as she celebrates personal evolution and the joy of true homecoming. Fans of this best-selling author will lovethis latest work.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)