Far from the Tree

by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

Book Overview

Celeste English and Ronnie Frazier are sisters, but they couldn't be more different. Celeste is a doctor's wife, living a perfect and elegant life. But secretly, she is terrified: her marriage is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312202911
• ISBN13: 9780312202910
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Great Sophmore Effort

I also enjoyed this book. Celeste and Ronnie Fraiser, two sisters different as night and day, their beloved father has died and neither one can understand their mother, Della. Good storyline, and great characters make this story worthwhile and enjoyable reading. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about family misunderstandings, legacies, joy and pains and forgiveness. I hope someone can pick this book up and decide to make a movie. Read and Enjoy!

A Mother/Daughter Must Read!

This is a beautifully written story about the relationship between two sisters, Ronnie and Celeste and their relationship with their mother, Odella. The story opens immediately following the death of the father/husband Will. The central theme of the novel is how at some point in our lives, we all try to hind from the individuals to whom we are the closest and what happens when we are forced to reveal what we have tried so hard to hide. In this story, Ronnie tries to hide the fact that she is not an up and coming model/actress as she wants and leads her family to believe. Celeste, tries to hide the fact that she is not as wealthy as she wants and leads people to believe. However, the crux of the story lies with the secrets held by the mother Odella and the experiences she had while growing up in North Carloina. A trip to the attic to clean out the fathers personal belongings takes these women on a journey which is mysterious to the daughters, painful for the mother and casts the much beloved yet deceased father in somewhat of an unfavorable light at least as far as his daughters are concerned.A trip back to North Carolina causes these women to explore themselves, come face to face with the past and its demons and come out on the other side more knowledgeable and as better people. This novel is fantastic and makes you wonder what secrets our parents hold, not as parents but as people. Highly recommended.

BRAVO! BRAVO!

If I could give this book a 10 I would. This to me was better than 'Tryin to Sleep...'. I totally enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Della had a life before her daughters came into the world and she definitely wasn't finished living by any means. Ronnie and Celeste thought they had seen it all until they came to Prosper, NC. This book was like 'Soul Food' with better twists and turns and more drama. I cried and cheered at the end that the family came together. It is amazing what communication between family members can do and what harm secrets can create. I hope that every mother and daughter can read this book and get something from it. I too am beginning to realize that my mother and grandmother were women on their own at one time and it is nice thing to know my mother as a woman and not just "Mommy". So, if you are looking for a soul searching book, I highly recommend Far From the Tree. As Virginia and Donna say, we never really fall that Far From the Tree. Enjoy.

Awesome!

I was so excited when I walked into the bookstore and saw these authors had a new book. I ran right up to the counter to purchase it. I was not disappointed. The relationship between the two sisters is so real until you have to pull back and make sure they're not talking about somebody you know. The secrets that Odella keep are so tragic it's a wonder she didn't lose her mind. I thought this was a wonderfully written and well-thought out second endeavor from DeBerry and Grant. Much better than the first (and it was good!). The events roll along at a nice pace- just fast enough to keep you turning, but slow enough that you understand. I eagerly await their next effort. They have won a fan for life.

Great Read

I finished this book in one evening. It is funny, sassy, and straight forward. The story revolves around four generations of women who have been living lives as if it were a one way window. They allow themselves to see out but do not allow for self reflection or for others to see them. This is an honest look at the dynamics of mothers, daughters, and sisters when they are all adults and the blinders come off. One of the great aspects of the book is the chapter titles. They keep you reading. My favorite is chapter 15 '...the fan was on, they just weren't sure when the shit would hit.' Ms. Deberry and Ms. Grant have a great ability to take you to school without you knowing that you were even in class. Ladies please keep up the good work. Do yourself a favor and read this book.