Resurrecting Mingus

by Jenoyne Adams

Book Overview

This nationally bestselling coming-of-age novel tells the story of Mingus Browning and her fight to find her own identity amidst the powerful and painful questions of life that force her to confront... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684873524
• ISBN13: 9780684873527
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Compelling look at the disintegration of a family

How does a family of thirty-five years get to the point where they are slowly killing each other with lies, sibling rivalry, infidelity, hidden secrets? The Browning family is at a crossroad. After seemingly living an existence that was in truth a series of lies and mistrust, the family can no longer trust one another. Does Eva really hate her sister Mingus? Did Carl and Elaine have a marriage based on guilt and obligation? Did Mingus grow up denying a part of herself. Torn between a white mother who is has given up her past life and lived through her husband and a black father she adores, Mingus is torn apart when her beloved Daddy disappoints the family. But is Carl's betrayal a result of misplaced obligation, a man who has outgrown his wife or the result of racial awareness. Struggling for normalcy means trying to string together alot of wrongs to get right. Told in the point of view from Minugus, her father Carl, and her mother Elaine, this poignant tale will make you stop and look at interracial families in a new light. Being on display for the whole world to wonder and make judgements have caused Mingus distress in her personal life. Meeting Eric, who seems to be the man of her dreams, seems to be the medicine she needs. But this young woman needs to find happiness within herself in order to define "normalcy". One of the best books of 2001.

Arise Dear Mingus, Arise...

This was DEFINITELY one of the better reads I had this year. The writing was fresh and vibrant. The way she allowed different characters to contribute their perspective to the story was very intelligent and real. Each character brought just enough to the table to keep them relevant and prevent the story from going off course. And the relationships were dealt with in an exceptional fashion. I guess we all have issues, make different choices and live by them, and Resurrecting Mingus takes us through all of those phases during a tough set of situations in a way that makes you not want to put the book down.With the exception of page 219, I'd have to say this novel was nearly flawless. Relationships, race, sex, family, achievement are all dealt with in a thoughtful and compelling way. It was fun, deep, pleasant to read and with enough emotional demand to keep a reader involved.Can't wait to read more from Ms. Adams!

Excellent Debut Novel

Resurrecting Mingus is an amalgamation of insight, delivery, and intense emotions. Never before have I read a novel that explored multiple sides of so many unchartered issues. Adams' candor is simply intoxicating and effulgent.This novel oscillates between Mingus Browning and her family. The author conceptualizes the affect that divorce has on adults, the damages of surpressing desires, and the anguish that secrets and lies can cause. Now, one might say they've read novels with similar storylines. But, Jenoyne Adams wasn't the author. This author has a magnetic way of opening her characters' souls, exposing their fears, intentions, and inner demons. The story is not one sided at all. As readers, we receive all of the participants and affected parties' points of view.Besides the explosive characters and stellar storyline, Resurrecting Mingus is also brisk and eloquent. It's a quick, yet engulfing read. Adams is extremely voluminous providing just the right amount of lucid descriptions and toxic lyrics.This blistering novel will grab your attention and interest and hold it until your eyes reach the last page. Enjoy!

A great way to spend an afternoon...

I wonder if there are words that will illustrate the feeling I received from reading Jenonyne Adam's first book,Resurrecting Mingus. Well, I will have to try.Adam's transends you physically and mentally into lives of these characters. The primary character Mingus, is the voice of reason or the gel that holds this fragile family together, until it is broken with her father's infidelity. These elements of betrayal, rverbrate throughout the story making it a reoccuring theme. But, it is not the forbidden acts alone, that make this novel worthwhile, it's the overcoming of the antagonist that makes this a sure-fire read. Plot aside the authors writing is style is extremely fresh and honest. Her metaphors and beautiful way of unfolding the characters,events, and storyline, is her true talent.I know it is pretty early to say, but this is one of the best books I've read all year.I can't wait for her sophomore effort!!!!

Riveting!!

Resurrecting Mingus is a riveting novel!! The author unveiled topics rarely discussed in our society. I now have a more profound understanding of entrapment. I can now validate feelings from both man and woman. The heat from sibling rivalry was so thick that you could feel the tension mounting. Mingus and Eva epitomize a love-hate relationship. I appreciated author, Jenoyne Adams, for delving into the growing pains of infidelity in a marraige, life after a divorce (different perspective coming from a biracial marraige), and unexplained human emotion captured in words, captured in this novel. I was captivated by Adams' writing style, I could see each scene as it unfolded. I was so immeresed into the novel that I finished reading the book in 8 hours. I could hardly put it down, rare for me. This book is good!! As I thumb throw the pages searching for a passage to share with you, I find myself stuck. Resurrecting Mingus has something for everyone. It's moments of revelation when Adams writes: "I figured out that bitterness sits behinds eyes that can't cry." Love between woman and man: "Mingus slid herself down to the carpet, her bare chest pressed against his shirt. She touched his face like it was her first time feeling skin under her fingers. She looked into his eyes as she traced his chin, his nect, back up to his lips. She kissed herself into him..." Entrapment: (Carl) "Second time she got pregnant... I never heard it pop... made me wonder about her. She got up... straightened out her clothes, and walk herself out. Quick. Never once looked me in they eye. All night I sat up in my bunk wanting to scream. She trapped me. Pinned a hole in the condom and trapped me." (Ellie) I knew the condom was old..." You have to buy the book for the rest. Buy the book ya'll, buy the book!! The book is deep. Find your center. You will enjoy Ressurecting Mingus.To the author: Thank you! Excellent book! How can I get a schedule of readings of Mingus and book signing? Look forward to the next one!