Breathing Room

by Patricia Elam

Book Overview

In her dazzling debut novel, award-winning author Patricia Elam takes us into the lives of two completely different women whose friendship has helped them weather just about everything. But now... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671028421
• ISBN13: 9780671028428
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

More Like 4.5 stars but Definitely Mesmerizing, Captivating!

Breathing Room,Patricia's Elam's debut novel delves into family & secrets, friendship & strife, redemption & forgiveness, tragic & hope.Breathing Room is an emotionally rich and powerfully written story about two middle-age, middle income, professional women coming to terms with self and struggling with the consequences of their actions. Norma & Moxie have been friends since college and have always been there for one another no matter the circumstances. Although parenthood, marriage and professional careers might sometimes be more than they can bare, their love and respect for each other has always weathered the storm, until Norma decides to stray and embark on an illicit path. Moxie, full of self-pride and self-righteousness can't seem to control her judgement or impression of others when they dare to be different from her. As a result, she finds herself at odds with best friend, Norma, as well as, her teenage daughter, Zadi. Breathing Room is a story that grows on you quickly as you experience the sub-plots and twist and turns. The beginning was a little slow until I reached a comfort zone with Ms. Elam's writing style; however, the more I read the more engrossed and caught up I became. I liked that Breathing Room captured the essence of so many middle-aged, middle-income, professional women who're striving to do it all but sometimes fall short. One of Ms. Elam's greatest strength and sometimes weakness was the character development; at times I did not feel the main characters were created equally. While Moxie often got on my nerves, as I thought she took everything to the extreme, I felt like I personally knew her and that she was a sista I could kick it with. On the other hand, after I finished the book, I didn't quite feel that I really knew who Norma was. I knew her professionally and I knew her as a wife...sort of...but I didn't understand her feelings as a mother. I didn't really know much about her earlier background or her emotional makeup. I really wanted to know more about her childhood. I wanted to know what made her tick. Instead, I walked away slightly disappointed and not completely satisfied. Now the character who really captured my heart...and I felt should have been a main character...was Moxie's daughter, Zadi. I loved living vicariously through her via her sistagirl diary.Breathing Room sometimes appears to be hard to follow and unfocused, however, real life is often like this and Ms. Elam's does an outstanding job of capturing what women in this target segment (i.e. the mature AA female) often go through. The storyline is a refreshing change of pace and will capture your attention. I finished the book in one sitting and felt like I had lost my best friends when I got to the end. Breathing Room made me think and wonder what I would do if I were in Moxie, Norma or Zadi's shoes. I felt Breathing Room...I lived Breathing Room...and I felt like I had lost my best friends when I got to the end. I really e

An Outstanding Debut

Patricia Elam's debut novel is an outstanding read. The story is of two friends Moxie and Norma who have been friends since their college days. When Norma reveals a secret to Moxie it truly puts their friendship to the test. The secret puts a wedge between their friendship and nearly stops them from communicating. Will they get their friendship back on track? You will have to read the book to find out.I enjoyed the realism of the story that Patricia Elam tells. This is truly a story of friendship and letting go of the past. I look forward to more from Patricia Elam and wish her continued success and blessings. Peace.

A powerful Must Read for 2001

Have you ever just held on to the last page of a book cause you did not want it to end. Well when you pick up your copy of Breathing Room, you will feel this way. In the debut novel by Patricia Elam, she explores not only the importance of friendship, but unresolved grief and coming of age.Her writing is lyrical and flows very smoothly throughout the book. She is descriptive enough for you to feel a part of the story. You will meet Moxie, the very afro-centric probation officer. Norma the photographer who is having problems in her marriage. Then there is Zadi, Moxie's teenage daughter. You get to see her coming of age in her journal. These 3 women make for very interesting reading. You will not want to put this book down!!

10 stars if it were possible

Patricia Elam's debut is a lyrical work of art, a beautiful song that carries you straight to the very end. The story is told through the eyes of Norma a professional photographer who has committed the worse possible crime as far as her best friend Moxie is concerned. Moxie has her own set of woes as a Probation officer and single mother of Zadie, a spirited smart teenager who challenges all that her mother has taught her in one fell swoop by dating the wrong type of boy and straightening her beautiful natural hair just to be accepted. The tumultuous relationships are intertwined by love, expectations, disappointment and loss. Not one beat is missed. Anyone who enjoys deeply written stories about love and friendship will enjoy this one wrapped in a warm blanket and a cup of steaming java.

Powerful and stunning debut

Breathing Room by Patricia Elam explores the friendship between two women and how they cope with the tumultuous challenges in their lives. The prose here is refreshing, lyrical, and resonates with warm, candidness, and wisdom. You will be moved by the vibrancy of the characters, especially the teenaged daughter Zadi whose voice springs from the pages of this unforgettable debut. If you're into comparisons, think Terry McMillan combined with Patty Rice and you've got yourself an engaging and realistic read that chronicles the complex lives of contemporary African American women.