Picking Chrysanthemum

By P.L. Hampton

On the surface, Chrysanthemum Adams appears to have it all, wealth, a beautiful home and a successful husband. However, underneath the glamorous fa?ade, Chris' life is far from perfect. Her marriage... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595274501
• ISBN13: 9780595274505
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

?Know from whence you came." - James Baldwin

"Picking Chrysanthemum" is about accepting from"whence you came" and moving on. Although our historyin some part makes us who we are; however, history inno way defines who we will become or limits who weare. This is the message I believe that Mr. Hamptonconveys. Chrysanthemum "Chris" is an unhappyhousewife. She doesn't work because she doesn't haveto: her husband makes enough money for them to livecomfortably and Chris comes from a wealthy family.After 14 years of marriage, Chris discovers that sheis bored with her life and her husband, Frank. Hedoes not really communicate with her and takes her forgranted. Unfortunately, Chris' life revolves aroundher husband; just to please Frank, she has a life,life style and house that she does not want. To make matters worse, Chris is having terriblenightmares that lead to excruciating back pain. Thedoctors' cannot find any abnormalities to speak of andChris is at her wits' end. Until Beverly, Chris' bestfriend, recommends her chiropractor, Dr. Deshpande,"who has hands of gold." Chris reluctantly agrees tosee the doctor simply to get Beverly off her back. Dr.Deshpande not only heals Chris' back pain but alsoreveals to her the source of her pain and nightmares;you won't believe what he tells her and the chain ofevents that follow his revelation. I have to admit that I was disappointed to discoverthat Chris was not African-American; however, withgood reason (I can't tell or I would give away toomuch). Aside from this minor detail, there is also asupernatural aspect to this book that some may find aturn off, it depends on preference. Regardless, ifyou enjoy the supernatural and stories aboutredemption and victory then "Picking Chrysanthemum" isthe novel for you. LeannaR.E.A.L. Reviewers

Self Discovery with a Supernatural Flair

PICKING CHRYSANTHEMUM opens with stirring post Civil War scenes that take place in the late 1800's. The scenes, which relate the story of how one African American woman tries desperately to protect her son, will captivate readers and leave them breathless and emotionally spent. Then the author plunges into the present, and introduces Chrysanthemum, a white woman, in an unsatisfying marriage, who suffers from debilitating back pain with no known cause. Eventually she seeks the help of an unconventional Hindu doctor, Dr. Deshpande, to find the root of her pain and a cure. The doctor, who is a firm believer in reincarnation, presents his theory behind Chrysanthemum's pain but his theory is a little more than she is ready to handle. In the meantime, her marriage has gone from bad to worse. So when her mother asks Chrysanthemum to stand in for her at an annual Founder's Day Festival that honors her great-great Grandfather Clayton Jackson, she reluctantly agrees and looks forward to the chance to get away. During the visit, family secrets and supernatural gifts passed down through the generations are slowly revealed. As a result of the trip, Chrysanthemum begins to tap into her personal strengths and as a result many of the things that she once felt were impossible begin to become reality. As the story of Chrysanthemum unfolds, readers may find themselves scratching their heads and wondering how her story relates to the opening scenes. However, the author has a deliberate plan and slowly he weaves a tale that will connect the two seemingly unrelated stories in a creative and shocking manner. Hampton has written a novel that is filled with themes of history, secrecy, and supernatural connections to the past. The result is a story that will keep you turning pages and at times fill you with an eerie sense of terror. With so few African American novelists delving into the supernatural, the book is a breath of fresh air for readers looking for a different sort of read. In addition, to the supernatural themes, the story addresses relationship issues, and the very human theme of finding true individual happiness and peace. P.L. Hampton is definitely an author to watch and I look forward to his future literary endeavors.Reviewed by Stacey Seay of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Things are not always as they seem

By all appearances, Chrysanthemum Jackson-Adams has a charmed life. She lived in the affluent part of town, married to a wealthy businessman, the inheritor of her father's sizeable wealth, able to enjoy leisurely brunches with her best friend Beverly, what more could a girl want. Unfortunately Chris was a tormented soul. The flip side, away from the public persona, led us to a lady who was unable to bear children, unable to stop her philandering husband, unable to find relief from tremendous back pain and painfully unaware of her family tree. Chris sought relief from the torment in her life and took the advice of her best friend and confident and went to see a Hindu healer. A doctor, so gracious and kind, it was only a matter of time until he uncovered the truth, the deep down truth to unlock the torture that Chris was feeling. Even this revelation scared her more than released her. It wasn't until her mother asked her to attend "Founding Father's Day" in their hometown of Jacksonville, Georgia that Chris met with her past and relinquished its existence to her present situation and personal growth and triumph was the end result. Although difficult to comprehend at first, Chris learned far more in her short two day stay in Jacksonville than she experienced in a lifetime in Atlanta.A touching tale, Picking Chrysanthemum kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading the first chapter it was difficult to put down for I had to know how these people from the mid 1800's interacted with the present day situation. A bit predictable as I continued to read, this was a good thing. I was most intrigued with how the author tied it all together. I admit to thinking "Why is this black man, writing a story about a white woman" but as I read further it became crystal clear. The metaphors of high society in Atlanta, in contrast with rural Georgia and the perceived notion of race were wonderfully interwoven to produce a quick and inspiring read. Lets just say that you never should judge a book by its cover or a person by his/her appearance. Well down Mr. Hampton.