Enemy Fields

By J. Marie Darden

Book Overview

Against the backdrop of Kentucky in the 1970s--and against all odds--a black woman and a white man find a love that transcends race, class, and condemnation.

J. Marie Darden's magnificent love story is set in 1971--a time of war not just in Vietnam or the streets of Washington, but also in Bourbon County, Kentucky. When the Mandarenes, a wealthy white family, move into the deserted mansion across the field behind her house, Sister takes a job with them. She soon finds herself in the middle of a drama that will change the racial balance of her town by falling in love with Evian, the youngest son in the Mandarene family.

In haunting prose and beautiful images, Enemy Fields is a moving story full of insight into human hearts caught in the crossfire of one of the most volatile and violent periods of American history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593090234
• ISBN13: 9781593090234
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Amazing

From Mecca Book Club, Richmond, VA J. Marie Darden's inaugural novel is a love story based on a forbidden relationship born in the south. Sister, a home-grown Kentucky girl whose worldly experiences reach only as far as her immediate family and best friend Pammie, indulges in simple pleasures such as cooking and singing. Opposite her world and the woodsy field that compliments it, is a vacant home that is soon occupied by a white family; the Mandarenes- a mother, grandfather Norman and accidental love interest, Evian. Once Sister is employed as the Mandarenes' housekeeper, her world- at first reluctantly- expands to accommodate all things Evian. Through this relationship, Sister learns strength, individuality and perseverance during a time where outside forces sought to paralyze her being and efforts. Darden's tale of innocent, bi-racial love is engaging, intriguing and cleverly written. Reviewed by Latryce Noel, Mecca Book Club, Richmond, VA

a keeper!

Enemy Fields, the cleverly titled and wonderfully written novel by J.Marie Darden, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the forbidden interracial romance of Sister and Evian. Everything about this novel appealed to me. The unsophisticated vernacular of Sister, a poor black teenage girl hired to work for Evian's family spoke to me in her own voice. Through Darden's cleverly penned words, I felt Sister's every emotion. Enemy Field's is a bittersweet and believable book that thankfully avoids the clichés surrounding interracial love and instead, focuses on the mechanics of a romance that had the power to tear a town apart. Finally...a book that actually reads like a true story. This is definitely a keeper! [...]

Wonderfully Refreshing Read

This was a truly good and refreshing novel. Set in Kentucky in a relatively poor black community, white folks move in to a deserted mansion. Surprised because in that time white people chose to live with their own, Sissy uses this opportunity to get her self a job cleaning the house. She befriends Evian the young white son who suffers from cancer when she discovers his love for music and he hear her beautiful voice. Friendship turns to love in this moving tale that has me crying at the end. This is a wonderful novel and was beautifully written. I felt so touched; I did not want to read the excerpt of her next book until I had it in my hands. Great job Jo!

A captivating page turner!

J. Marie Darden has a beautiful writing style. I finished the book three days ago and I still have wonderfully vivid pictures of the locations and the characters. "Enemy Fields" really brought out a wide range of strong emotions in me, from sadness and horror, to laughing out loud and tears of joy. I would occasionally read something that made me feel like I was in on a private joke, meant only for myself and the author. It was an indescribable connection that I can't say I've ever had with other writers. I'm eagerly waiting to read the sequel.

Must Read

This book is absolutely one of the best I have ever read. The characters remind you of close friends or even relatives. The author draws you into the story right from the beginning of the book. It's definitley a must read. I plan to give the book to all of my aunts for Christmas. Great book for a book club as well. Can't wait for the sequel.