A Day Late and a Dollar Short

by Terry McMillan

Book Overview

"Without question, this is McMillan's best. A glorious novel....A moving tapestry of familial love and redemption."--The Washington Post With her hallmark exuberance and a cast of characters so sassy,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670896764
• ISBN13: 9780670896769
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful read from start to finish

I've been a Terry McMilian fan since Disappearing Acts. Her books capture our hopes, fears, desires and thoughts good and bad!. This books was amazing, I laughed, cried and reflected on my own family and kids. I can't wait to read the latest release. Thank you Terry, you did that!

The Price Family Saga!

Terry is back and gosh did she meet my expectations! A Day Late and A Dollar Short (DLDS) is a tale about family secrets, tragedies and triumphs. Go with McMillian to Las Vegas and uncover the story of Viola and Cecil Price and their four adult children. Viola is the matriarch and the central character of the storyline, however the story is told in the first person voice of each of the six main characters. McMillian hits close to home for many with this storyline which provides a very believable and realistic look at families. While the Prices happen to be African American, actually their situations and exploits are colorblind and could easily represent any family. DLDS touches on issues of sibling rivalry, adultery, unplanned pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, rape, incest, and homosexuality. Dysfunctionality abounds and no matter what the gender of the character or whether the character is a major or minor player they are all flawed for the most part (except for maybe Ms. Loretta). As I read DLDS I encountered love and hate, joy and sorrow, happiness and anger. There were some LOL scenes, some scenes which made me grit my teeth and other scenes which made me shake my head and say..."uumph, uumph, uumph". DLDS is an excellent book that's well written and includes in-depth character development along with unexpected plot twist and turns. Terry is back and she's on her game! Pick up DLDS today and get to know the Price Family...hey you might even meet some family members along the way or better yet you might come face to face with yourself. ...

TOUCHING AND VERY WELL WRITTEN

I loved this novel. Although I speak with my parents and sister quite frequently, it made me stop, pick up the phone, call them and tell them that I love them. This book makes you stop and think about those things that are truly important in life. I have read all of Ms. McMillan's novels and this is a much different novel than her others.This story is about the Price family which consists of 3 daughters, a son, mother and father. Viola Price has spent her life raising her children to be the best they can be. Although each one of her children has their own particular issues, as a mother, she recognizes each ones special talents but more importantly, their special needs. As any mother, she worries about her grown children and hopes the best for them.The novel opens with Viola in the ICU unit of the hospital after she has suffered an asthma attack. Her thoughts about her family and estranged husband provide the backdrop for the rest of the novel. As she approaches her 55th birthday, she vows not to allow her children to worry her into the grave and also vows to live her life and do the things that make her happy. To that end, she does make some changes in her life.The story also focuses on her relationship with her children and their relationship with each other. Each child is different, each with his/her own dreams and needs. Lewis, the only boy is intellectually the smartest but is having difficulty finding his way. Paris, the oldest has everything money can by but has a void in her heart. Janelle, the follower, comes to a point where she is called upon to protect herself, stand up for herself and take some measure of control concerning those things which happen in her world. Finally, the most troubled of characters but most like her mother is Charlotte who is struggling to find her own special place within the family.In the end, Ms. McMillan does an excellant job of making us all realize that we need to take the time and focus on what is really important so that we are not "A Day Late and a Dollar Short". Fantastic novel.

The real Ms. Millian is back!

I loved it! I loved it! I loved it! I never, ever write reviews about anything, but I received this book as a Christmas gift and I screamed the moment I opened it. From page 1, I was hooked. The characters, the family, the whole concept of lineage, it's here in a nutshell. I loved each character's perspective on life. And you know everyone in this book, if she was your girlfriend in high school or your the hoochie you hated next door! To be honest I wasn't too happy with her last book and being an avid reader I opened the pages hesistantly hoping this wasn't written with a movie in mind. I was pleased. Additionally, I haven't been reading much fiction since I had been feeling that the new themes (man stealing, etc.) weren't appealing to me. She's back ya'll and she's in full swing. Thank the Lord, because I had been missing what good fiction was really all about.

Don't be late or short!

All I want to know is when was Terry peeping in my family's window! I recognized every character in the book as someone I know (I won't tell you which one was me). The only one missing was my Cousin "Pookie and Dem". (smile) As usual the book is an easy read in everyday language. You start reading and you're absolutely absorbed into the story. It will make you laugh, scream, throw the book across the room, and cry. This was right on time. And as far as the other review on Terry being prejudice....there are no white men in this story, so what is that fool talking about?

A heartwarming slice of life

A Day Late and A Dollar Short is the type of book that makes you feel so many different things: proud, because you're happy that Terry McMillan is so adept at 'telling it like it is', telling 'our' stories, and making our story everyone else's too; sad, because when you're reading about the problems of these characters, you realize they are so much like your own; and warm, because a book like this helps steer our busy lives back to what's most important in life, such as family. While reading this novel, I laughed, shook my head, and said 'amen' quite a few times. The writing is simple, very detailed but in a good kind of way, and it feels so 'right now' even though the setting of the story takes place in the mid-90's. Everything about it is appealing, from the wide range of characters (lots of kids, adults, and some seniors), to the moving way the writer takes you inside the lives of these people. By the time you finish reading, you may feel like these people actually exist, and in a way I guess they really do. An excellent and highly recommended read.