Walking The Line

By Althea Christina Hughes

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965568229
• ISBN13: 9780965568227
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: ERL Publishing
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Sorority Adventure

Walking The Line by Althea Christina Hughes was truly a wonderful book to read. When I saw the book, the title alone caught my attention. I was totally impressed by Ms. Hughes' story line of college life and sororities. It actually brought back memories of my long forgotten college days.What I enjoyed most about the book is how easily you could identify with the characters and their quest for belonging. Reading this book brought smiles, laughs, vindication, and finally tears.Ms. Hughes' novel portrays a typical college senior who has waited until her senior year to pledge her mother's sorority with little, if any, enthusiasm. Her family are dedicated Rho Kappa Delta Sorors, with a family legacy and tradition that insist all female members become RKD sorors.Charisma, who prefers being called Charis, is a 4.0 senior pondering with the decision, after graduation, to either go to law school and become a lawyer like her father, or become a playwright, which iswhat she truly wants to do. Kyra, president of the sorority, who hates Charis and knows of her family's legacy, coerces her into pledging the Rho Kappa Delta. She's manipulative, conniving, controlling and Charis' worse nightmare. Kyra is also the person Charis' former boyfriend was secretly seeing while being with her, which hurt Charis very much. Randall, Charis' former boyfriend, is a playa, who does not realize he's being played also, until it's too late.The story revolves around walking the line which is pledging and hazing. Although hazing has become illegal, RDK feels it's still necessary to truly weed out those who are not strong and true RKD material. So they secretly continue to haze.The novel is about Charis' struggle along with others, walking the line and the hazing they must endure. She also has to struggle with her parents' issues which includes her father, a successful attorney, who leaves his law practice to open a bookstore which causes a separation with Charis' mother, who enjoys the elite lifestyle, but has a secret of her own.Charis' classmates are a unique cast of characters that will make you laugh, say what, shake your head, and cheer on. Sean, studying to become a doctor of natural medicine, admires and loves Charis, and will patiently wait for her to reciprocate those same feelings. Briana, Charis' roommate, who plans to become a world class journalist, makes it her business to collect the "dirt" on everyone on campus and even goes to the point of keeping files. LaTasha, who takes hazing to the max, has among other things, shoplifting issues. Angela just wants to belong and become a RKD. Desiree, Angela's roommate, is a wannabe RKD and soon makes waves when she is not invited to walk the line. Terrene, also a wannabe RKD and not invited, has socializing issues causing people to dislike her, which is her way of getting the attention she longs for. The finale will make you truly understand the turmoil of belonging and being a part of an elite sorority with devastating

Engaging and Insightful

In "Walking the Line", Hughes explores the attractions of sororities and the motivations behind the unabated determination of the young women seeking to belong to a particularly coveted sorority. The influence of family and friends, the quest for status, power, prestige, and acceptance play no minor roles in their motivations for pledging. Examined also is the illegal, yet continued, practice of hazing purported to build sisterhood and comaraderie even as it calls into question group trust and the intentions of those who haze pledgees."Walking the Line" marks Hughes' debut into the world of published fiction. College students will likely identify with the lead character's escapades and her introspective assessment of the really important things in her life as she completes her senior year of college. The book may also influence potential candidates for sororities and fraternities to evaluate more seriously their reasons for pledging, and to weigh in counterbalance the less noble characteristics to the merits of some Greek organizations.Against the backdrop of academics, social and personal relationships, and the dynamics of campus life, "Walking the Line" captures the liveliness of the college environment and the subtle nuances that define diverse interactions of students who hold opposing views of the benefits, purpose, and even relevance of pledging. The book sends an unnobtrusively powerful message. Add "Walking the Line" to your "must read" list!

I'm Addicted

This story is a must read whether you are Greek, Non-Greek, College bound or a dropout. Ms. Hughes has successfully captured the essence of college life. That essence boils down to one thing: CHOICES. Anyone who has lived can relate to and learn from this novel. It teaches the female about determination and not exepting less than your worth. It shows the male how to be a male. It also purports that its cool to not conform.What set this novel apart from others in the genre was the "writing within the writing". Ms. Hughes was able to pull this off as if there were actually two authors on this one book.

Daring and Captivating

As a member of a black Greek letter organization, I could well relate to so many of the issues so thoughtfully brought up in this book. A must read for anyone interested in a new viewpoint on the college experience. She daringly approaches issues considered taboo, and gives a realistic interpretation of characters, faced with the issues of the story. Hard to put down! And no, you can't have my copy, get your own!

An excellent book!

I really liked this book. It was quite captivating. Anyone who has lived on a college campus can identify with the main character of this novel. I recommend that everyone read it. I also strongly suggest that it is read by anyone "Coming of Age"; a "must read" for those persons who will be attending college. The author brings each character "alive" through her sense of humor and descriptive language. Sit back, relax, and enjoy