Finding Dignity

by J. Marie Darden

J. Marie Darden delivers the sequel to Enemy Fields with this powerful coming-of-age novel about identity and finding peace by finding yourself.

Dignity Jackson is having an identity crisis. She is a child of interracial parents, and the ambiguity of her ancestry is confusing her more than ever. Since her mother has abandoned Dignity at age three, and since her father has died before she is born, Dignity has been raised by her...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159309051X
• ISBN13: 9781593090517
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

This is J. Marie Darden's best yet!

J. Marie Darden's FINDING DIGNITY is a delightful study of life's penchant for dealing you a hand and daring you to play the cards distributed under a canopy seemingly with no shelter to that of the protagonist, Dignity Jackson. You see, Dignity suffers from low self-esteem and an identity crisis where race is all apparent, and devoid of reasonable substance. The story starts moderately and builds momentum as the author uses deft contrast and change of scenery to give readers reminiscing time changes to reflect past and present analogy. But no one explained to Dignity that race matters are important in understanding who she is and why it has affected her so early in life. She finds out that being a child of interracial parentage does not come with automatic answers, like why did her mother abandon her, and why wasn't her father around when she needed him most. Aunt Lette and Uncle Sam wasn't any help being that their version of doting love only made her feel at times disproportionate and unbalanced. Would college help her out of her malaise? She accepts a scholarship to Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland only to find that her identity is still in doubt, and the feeling of incompleteness wouldn't go away. She dated her Italian boyfriend without finding a true bond; found issue with friends Stacy and Khalil attributing to the situation coming to a head when they demand she seek help. The turning point of the story shifts for surer footing as Dignity ventures for firm roots and a sense of heritage. There, she uncovers many truths, and it's this revelation where self-worth manifests itself into pride and dignity. This coming of age story, I'm sure would readily be the type of read embraceable to those who might identify with character studies to allow the past to paint a different hue for the future. The author did a magnificent job of building enough dramatic intrigue for the crescendo not to be less fulfilling in lieu of keeping readers wondering how she would rectify her problems. I loved this book for reasons that may give credence to finding solace in knowing that everyone belongs to some pattern making the fabric of our existence just that meaningful when we can identify who we are, and why things are not always how they seem on the surface. Thank you Ms Darden for making that ever so clear. I recommend this book wholeheartedly, and don't apologize for rating it 5 out of 5 stars!

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - Dignified

FINDING DIGNITY is the coming of age story of Dignity Jackson who struggles with her identity being the child of interracial parents. Although raised in a loving home by her great aunt and uncle, Dignity feels displaced by not being with her mother and not knowing her father. Having no knowledge of her roots causes an internal struggle with who she really is. Attending historically black Morgan State University, Dignity hopes to find herself and find her place in life. However, the issues that plagued her before are still evident in college. Not to mention she is dating Salmon who happens to be Italian and white. When her internal peace begins to affect her relationship with Salmon, Dignity returns to her Kentucky home. Hoping to run away from her unrest and internal fight with herself, it is there that Dignity reconnects with her family and finds the answers about where she comes from and who she really is. This was a beautiful work of fiction that captured my attention immediately and would not let me go until the very last page. The author skillfully uses flashbacks to tell the story and the changing of time periods was actually seamless and worked well for this particular novel. J. Marie Darden's prose and descriptions were lovely and placed the reader in the time period and place as the narrative unfolded. The pacing just helped to invoke the desired depth of emotions for the well-developed and realistic characters. The revelations for the main characters were quite emotional and touching. I can honestly say the author was able to garner laughter, tears and thoughtful understanding from me. The message of realizing that no matter what your history may be, you chose the dignity of your life, was absolutely poignant. Although FINDING DIGNITY is the sequel to Enemy Fields I can attest it can stand alone. This was a deftly written, emotion invoking and recommended read. Reviewed by Cashana Seals of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Excellent Read!

the book had a lot of twists and turn and surprises, but it was better than the first one and i liked that one to. it was easy to like dignity and to want her and her boyfriend to stick thingss out. i liked the characters and the plot. excellent beach book!

fabulous character study

Dignity Jackson, the daughter of biracial parents, struggles with just who she is. Her father died before she was born and her mother deserted her when she was three years old. Her Aunt Lette and Uncle Sam raised Dignity in a strict home, but showered her with love as if she was their offspring. Now eighteen, Dignity accepts a scholarship to attend Morgan State University, but still struggles with her identity. Her feelings of inadequacy and not belonging anywhere or with anyone alienate her caring Italian boyfriend Sal and anger her best friends Stacy and Khalil. The trio intervenes demanding she get herself together; she agrees and begins a quest into the south to find her roots and ultimately accepting herself with pride and dignity. This is a terrific coming of age tale of a teen who in spite of love showered on her from her adopted parents and friends feels lost and unwanted. J. Marie Darden paints her portrait of her lead protagonist with a dignity even as the confused teen still hurts fifteen years later from the maternal abandonment. Dignity's quest for a sense of self-worth by seeking out her roots until she finds something much greater make for a fabulous character study of a person on a journey to find her soul. Harriet Klausner

Simply Remarkable

J Marie Darden has done it again!! Along with her first book, this one has originality, great characters, and an excellent story line. The author portrays the characters in her book so well I forget that it is fictional. This book will definitely keep you entertained.