BACK TO LIFE - Wendy Coakley-Thompson
Kensington/Dafina
September 2004
SYNOPSIS: BACK TO LIFE tells of a black man and a white woman who meet the same day a black teenager is killed in Brooklyn by an Italian mob. Eventually they are able to surmount the rage, hurt, and fear left by their respective divorces and allow themselves to love again.
MAINSTREAM FICTION: (4) Tricia-Ann Blades
REVIEW: Summer of 1963, masses of men and women, both black and white were privileged to hear the words; “I have a dream today, little black boys and little black girls will join hands with little white boys and little white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.” {Dr. Martin Luther King} Summer 1983, this dream was shattered when Yusef Hawkins a young black was killed by a group of Italian whites. This created a rippling effect through the lives of many living in Brooklyn and surrounding areas during this time. Woven around the events of this time, BACK TO LIFE outlines the effect that this incident had on relationships and friendships throughout this era. The story centers around two persons, born under different circumstances and living within the societal norm, who find themselves at the bottomless pit and who must now allow survival instinct to kick in and rise from the ashes like a phoenix to soar into the winds of change that await.
From the onset of the novel the stage is set; the cards are placed on the table. The two main characters, Lisa and Marc must decide if they will allow the norm to control them.
Lisa is a black graphic artist who has the desire to accomplish much with her life but who has sacrificed tremendously along the path of life. The main theme of race and its effect on relationships threatens the very bane of her existence and Lisa in her rise towards the winds of change must decide which is more important- societal norm or mores.
Marc is a prolific Italian writer who is willing to take risks even to the point of death. It is through him the reader experiences passion and pain; Ms Coakley-Thompson uses this character to show that in love there are no boundaries, boundaries of color, class or creed. This character also develops this theme of love to further introduce minor themes of rejuvenation and restoration.
The other characters of Nina and Tim, reinforce the point of no boundaries whereas in contrast the author effectively uses AJ, Jimmy and Suzanne to enforce the main theme and Barbara to show the struggle that such a relationship could encounter.
The language of the novel is compelling and emotional; colorful and provocative dialogue which promotes the explosive nature of the themes covered in the book. The historical data used to develop the storyline is weaved seamlessly into the narrative and as a result does not distract the reader from the general storyline.
A good read.
tricia@romanceincolor.com (10th September 2004)