Rising

by Darnella Ford

Book Overview

She should have been able to trust him.... "Night sweats were my dance, especially in the Huston home. They were a continuation of the visions I had experienced in Dorchester, only here, they were... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312303068
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A Story Rarely Told, But Desperately Needing To Be Read

Darnella Ford has penned an untold story of many women's life. "Rising," is a story of the pain and hurt haunting a woman named Symone. Symone is a woman who is dealing with demons of the past haunting her: living in chaos of the projects, a mother who has gotten caught up in the street life and who is unable to give her the nurturing she needs, the horrendous tragedy of waking up to an overdosed mother at a very tender age, being bi-racial, adopted, and being molested as a child. Symone not only told her story. She allowed us to know her mother Dolores. Although Dolores did not provide Symone with a stable home-life, we were able to understand Dolores as a woman placed in chaos and desperation. We were able to travel with Symone through her present and past life with her adopted family the Hustons. We came to know each of them.Darnella has told a story which is rarely heard, but oh so desperately needs to be read. With her poetic background and great storytelling style, she allows the character to take you through her present and past life. You feel Symone's heartache; you feel her pain, confusion, rage, self-battles and battles with others, as well as her desperation. Darnella did an excellent job with her freshman novel. This was truly a very different read. The plot was very well put together. I think everything she placed into the story was needed, because in reality there are many women out here who has and is going through what all of these characters faced and dealt with. The characterization was great!!! It was very apparent Darnella did her research before penning this unbelievable novel filled with psychological and sociological scarring. If you have not purchased your copy, you need to do so today. A very sad story, but again it really needs to be read and heard. You will find yourself happy, sad, crying, angry, feeling everything each of these characters is going through. What I loved the most was she was able to show tremendous growth in the characters. But, in the end you will understand how one is able to survive the cards life has dealt him/her. ~Tonya Howard

The long journey back to innocence. A Survivor's tribute.

In "Rising" Darnella ford masterfully weaves enthralling prose, tumultuous story, and dark psychology into a most tangible piece of artwork. The 3-dimensional aspect of her tale allows the reader to not only "be" in the moment with the leading character, Symone, but also permits the reader to "feel" their way through the journey of survival alongside her as well. The more gentle reader may find this re-hashing effect to be too shocking, but victims of abuse (as well as readers who wish to learn more about the experiences of childhood trauma)will certainly find a safe haven to explore their pasts and continue the path towards healing. Although the story is entertaining in its vivid imagery, skillful detail, and sincere meaning, let us not forget the focus of the piece. It is an acknowledgement and tribute to the "survivor". An embracing of the resilient child within us all. A most memorable and engaging read.

Thought provoking,enjoyable page turner

Before reading this book I felt compelled to write Darnella Ford to tell the reason I brought her book was because we shared the same first name!!!!! I promised to comment on Rising after i read it. My name is Darnella Anderson. I am an avid reader of many books especially books by African American writers. Rising proved to be a very entertaining book. The main character Symone is born into a very miserable situation. Her herion addicted mother has put Symone though a very traumatic childhood because Symone is subjected watching her mother slowly kill herself little by little each time she shoots up, or prostiute herself to support her habit. Symone is in fact, at a preshool age, the caregiver to her mother. She if forced to watch over her mother during her withdrawal periods. She is living below proverty level,and althogh she is dealt one of the most horrific hands in her hard-knocked life, Symone still manages to find good in her pre-orphaned childhood. After her mother dies, Symone is raised by a wealthy white couple. She is now subjected to a different kind of hell. Life in the ghetto has given her strenght but it is interesting to see what unfolds for this young woman after being subjected to many years of torture from the town's richest and envious family. I can't wait for the next Darnella Ford novel and strongly feel that Rising would make an excellent "Oprah book". I urge readers to purchase this emotional, entertaining Novel.Darnella Your Book Has truly touched my heart. Darnella Anderson

A Deeper Level of Writing... a page turner!

Darnella Ford's book "Rising" was far and beyond what I thought the book could be when I bought it. It took me 4 days to read. This book was a page turner because the thoughts and storyline was believable, and it put you into the scenes and moods of the book. Darnella is a wonderful writer, I can personally relate to the emotion in this book in many different ways. I can clearly see the people, the places and actually feel like I was there. Simone was a very strong character in this book yet so volunerable. She reflected the struggle of many children today, dealing with big things as little people. With those things they become big people with even bigger problems. But "dealing with the problems" and "dealing with the issue that you have problems" are two different levels, something Darnella expressed wonderfully. I gave this book 5 stars because; one: characters, two: storyline, three: experiences, four: life lessons and five: brillant writing style. She deserves all five stars! I can't wait until "Crave" comes in 2004. This is a wonderful book to start such a bright career. It was definitely a deeper level of writing. Lastly, I sum up "Rising" in three words A PAGE TURNER. Please read!

WOW -- AMAZING STORY!!!!

Darnella Ford's story about a woman dealing with sexual abuse and other heavy issues, is outstanding. This book will have the reader's complete attention until the very last page. While dealing with very heavy subjects, Ford adds humor and wit and the reader develops a general liking of the main character, Symone. Thanks for the awesome tale, Ms. Ford, and I look forward to your next venture!