What You Owe Me

by Bebe Moore Campbell

Book Overview

"A multigenerational saga . . . about forgiveness and redemption. Lavish and funny and perfect."-- The Los Angeles Times Sweeping across fifty years of family, friendship, betrayal and reconciliation,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399147845
• ISBN13: 9780399147845
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 533 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

ABSOLUTELY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What You Owe Me opens p with Hosanna Clark, Gilda Rosenstein. Gilda opens the door to somthing special for both of them With Gilda's knowledge of cosmetics and Hosanna's energy they start of producing lotion for black women. Gilda and hossana become partners, they become friends as well. As time goes by they are doing well but Gilda somehow disappear and take all the assetes that they made. Hossannafeels betrayed and finacially ruined. Hosanna's tries to persue her dream alone but we all know that back in the 1940's no AA could not start there own business and succed, years latershe pass away and her small business dies with her. Hosanna leaves behind two daughter Vonetta and Matrice. Matriece is smart and determined as her mother Matriece starts recognize that white firms are competeing not only for black concumers but also for black professional talent.Matriece decides to take a mission to collect her mother debt.Bebe Moore Campbell takes us on a trip down the road in the 1940's this was and excellent book this story as many characters but all storied have a closure it was just a excellent read . if you have not picked up a cop of What You Owe Me. what are you waiting for? Peace Love and Blessings goes out to Bebe Moore Campbell

A Great Novel With a Great Lesson

This novel was a bit lengthy, but don?t let it dissuade you from reading it. It was a very enjoyable read spanning three generations and fifty years. In the early part of the novel, the two primary characters, Hosanna Clark and Gilda Rosenstein, one black, one Jewish form a friendship and business only to end in Gilda betraying Hosanna. The remainder of the story includes an interesting cast of characters who are largely members and friends of both families including one of Hosanna?s daughters (Matriece ?Triesey? Carter) who learn of Gilda?s perfidy from their mother and feels obligated to right the wrongs done to her mother. The plot thickens as the history, hidden agendas, and background of the characters are revealed. Without revealing too much?there were lessons to be learned in the lives of these characters?the pain of vengeance, peace of atonement, and the power of forgiveness. Campbell crossed race and socio-economic lines to bring life to a great novel.Although some parts were slow and in this reader?s opinion I think it could have been shortened, this was a true page-turner, especially in the last 1/3 of the book. You'll leave with a message that we all need to consider...

Engrossing, page turner

It's very rare that I call a book a page turner, but this was one of those books that was impossible to put down. From the very first chapter where the ghost of Hosanna Clark begins her narrative and the vivid images Ms Campbell draws with each character, I am sorry that the book had to end.This is the story of two women, (one black, one white) who meet when they are working as maids in a hotel. The black woman, Hosanna, who is transplanted from Texas befriends Gilda, a Holocaust survivor and together the two of them feed off each other's strength and draw the best out of each other . They soon use that strength to begin a cosmetic company marketing to black women.But Gilda skips out on Hosanna and all Hosanna can do is funnel her anger and hate for Gilda into her own company and pass on her grudge to her daughter Matriece.What follows is a book that forces all of the characters to confront their choices in life, and makes everyone examine what a grudge can do to the soul, how secrets can devour your life, and how the act of forgiveness can be cleansing.I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to laugh, cry, and feel inspired all at the same time.

Rich In African American History and Awesomely Told!

Bebe Moore Campbell continues to prove that she is a gifted storyteller and her latest novel, What You Owe Me lived up to this reader's expectations! Initially, one might be daunted by the thickness of the book...but make no mistake by delay reading this book...cause it is truly a page turner...in fact the writing was so compelling that I tried to read this book in one sitting and almost succeeded. The story is well-crafted with a good storyline; realistic and dimensional characters; vivid imagery and shocking plot twists and turns. In spite of better race relationships today, it is still often surprising to hear of an African American and a Caucasian being good friends more or less business partners. So, of course, this was even more surprising and suspicious when Hosanna Clark(an African-American woman) and Gilda Rosenstein(a Jewish woman) decided to embark on a friendship and business venture in the 1940s. As many would predict, the business would take off and be successful, however, Gilda would disappear along with the assets. Hosanna would be doubly betrayed: financially ruined and emotionally bereft. Although, Hosanna would make a go at it as a solo entrepreneur, she would never achieve the fame or status that she deserved and years later, when she passes away, her small cosmetic company dies with her. But Hosanna leaves behind a daughter, Matriece, who is determined to right the wrongs suffered by her mother by taking on a mission to collect her mother's debt. What You Owe Me is a story that spans 50 years and introduces one to the lives of Gilda and Hosanna as well as their offsprings. While the story is primarily about Gilda, Hosanna and Matriece...their stories are intertwined with a host of secondary characters in the book as well as the subplots involving these secondary characters. Campbell exposes us to the themes of friendship, education, absentee parents, interracial relationships, parent/child relationships...but resounding throughout all of the themes and relationships is "what you owe me". In the end, Campbell shows that understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and reconciliation are necessary in order to come to terms regarding troubles of the past and to heal from the wounds of yesterday.Pick up What You Owe Me by Bebe Moore Campbell today! This is an engrossing and emotionally rich story that you will want to read and experience for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed in this stellar novel from Bebe Moore Campbell.

Classic Revenge

When you look at this book you may gawk at the length but as you read you will forget about the size and be mesmerized by the story. What You Owe Me is the story of Hosanna Clark and Gilda Rosenstein. One black, one Jewish, both determined to become successful businesswomen at the end of World War II. Hosanna has the desire while Gilda has the formulas to form a cosmetic company.Fast forward to Matriece "Triesey" Carter, she is the daughter of Hosanna. Matriece makes it her personal mission to avenge what she believes is Gilda's betrayal of her mother. This is done at the expense of her relationships with others.There are many other characters with their own stories. Campbell weaves this tale so that everything and everyone's story has closure and just maybe a little too "happily ever after". You have Vonette, Matriece's sister, and her Mexican brood who was not interested in Hosanna's dreams. Uncle Tuney, Hosanna's brother, and his decades-long litigation against a Texas magnate to regain his family's land. Blair, Matriece's friend from the old neighborhood who "made it". Mooney, Hosanna's financial "backer". The Montgomery family, a rhythm and blues star, Gilda's children and a host of other characters. There is more to say about the characters and their stories but to do that would give the story away and this is must read from a fabulous author. I enjoyed how the book opened and ended with the voice of Hosanna. She boldly claims "closure is what I'm seeking. Death ain't nothing but another opportunity." What You Owe Me should appeal to all because demonstrated are relationships across racial and economic lines and also some classism within a class. Campbell demonstrates that money can not buy happiness and love but love of family, despite material wealth, can bring so much joy.This is an excellent selection for any reading group, as it would provide a lively and lengthy discussion. This is a moving account of betrayal, love and healing.