Bücher von Diane McKinney-Whetstone

From the author of Blues Dancing and Tumbling--a writer who "ought to be classified among the best of all contemporary fiction writers period" (Detroit Free Press)--comes a riveting novel about the desire for redemption and rebirthMoving across moments in time, Trading Dreams tells the story of a woman and the grandmother she is deeply connected by love and terrible pain. For years, 33-year-old Neena has waged a relentless search for Freeda, the mother who abandoned her 20 years ago. Neena supports herself by blackmailing married men, but when a stong goes wrong, she finds herself on the run, back to her younger sister, Tish, in Philadelphia. But returning brings terrible grief--and unexpected hope as Neena learns to face the past, her grandmother, and herself. A settled church lady and gifted seamstress, Nan is devoted to her granddaughter, Tish, who is soon to become a mother herself. A vibrant, passionate woman, Nan worries that in some way she caused her daughter Freeda's instability. Neena's returning holds unexpected consequences for Nan, too, and eventually she must confront her denial and fears--about the past and the future. In a style that has been characterized as "accessible Toni Morrison," and "literary Terry McMillan," Diane McKinney-Whetstone has crafted another powerful story of love, loss, community, and healing that captures what it means to be human.

A riveting tale about a back-room abortion that has devastating consequences for two teenage girls on a close knit Philadelphia block circa 1972Block parties were king in this West Philadelphia neighborhood, especially the year Cecil Street decided to have two. These energetic, sensual street celebrations serve as backdrops to the story of best friends Neet and Shay and their families. When Neet becomes pregnant by one of the corner boys, Shay arranges an abortion that goes terribly awry when Neet begins to hemorrhage. Neet is left unable to bear children and to Shay's horror slips under the spell of her mother Alberta's severe, esoteric religious beliefs. Shay is left to struggle with the grief of losing a cherished friendship, while she also bears witness to the the disintegration of her parents' marriage. The story climaxes during the second block party, during which time it is discovered that Neet and Alberta have disappeared from Cecil Street--the holy-roller mother, Alberta, having finally been set free from the shackles of her church by none other than Shay's father.