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Read to be Enlightened |
Donations > Contact > readers/writers Welcome 2 Jr. Top Notch Writers We Read So You Succeed...Author of the Month Ida Mae By Delores Thornton Pgs. 346 Historical/ Fiction ISBN#0-9656584-9-x Main Characters: Ida Mae, Maxey Lee, Arbuckle, Winnie, Wilbert, Theodore and Milan Rating: ********of 9 Who would read it? Ages 16 and up This was a very good book by a very good author. Ida Mae is a Sunday type book because it is long and you need time and quietness to chill and read. It is a sad and touching story about a woman that went through many trials and tribulations in her life but she survived. Some of the stuff was crazy but she remained strong and got through the obstacles that were put in her way. Ida Mae is a black female from Georgia who goes through so many experiences such as rape as a teenager and losing her daughter and husband that she remains a strong character who wears many hats like being a mother of two children, a loving wife and granddaughter that has seen many deaths in her family which could have broken her but she kept strong. Ida Mae helps you to appreciate the good that happens in your life and the people that you care about in your life. What I appreciated about Ida Mae was how the book covered her life from her very young to an old death. The author made her feel like a relative that you see get older and older. There were no gaps. There were happy moments in the book to take off some of the sadness that at times is a little overwhelming, but the happy moments made you see Ida Mae for the girl that she was and the woman that she became. Some of those happy moments were when she won the poetry contest, met her extended family and got married. Ida Mae is a work of art to me but the only thing that I didn’t like was the sadness of it all. There were so many deaths that she experienced in her life that every time she turned around someone was dying and she had to deal with it. I think that the author was trying to display her strength through it all, but it got depressing. I’m not into mushy, but for those who are this book is a must read and for those who aren’t the book is still worth reading as a change from your everyday routine. Ida Mae was suspenseful and dramatic like a movie…. Hey, it definitely has a chance as a movie. GOOD WORK D. THORNTON!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Babe By Delores Thorton Pgs. 146 ISBN#0-9656584-5-7 Novel/Fiction Main Characters: Babe, Dr. Walker, Vivian, Dorian and Aloyishus Rating ******** out of 9 Stars Who would read it? Males and Females for Ages 16 and up NO PROFANITY Babe was a book with a Monday feel because you could complete it in the beginning of a busy weekday and still get a lot out of it. It was a good read that kept my interest without wasting time to get to the point. It also was full of mystery to keep you turning the pages. As I continued to read I kept asking, “What happened to Babe?” The author made sure that you knew a lot about each character because she switched from character to character sharing their interesting lives and giving you an idea as to why they were together. Babe is an 82-year-old woman who is having nightmares and really bad headaches. The nightmares have her waking up screaming after she dreams of being a child that sees a headless man on a train that makes her cling to her mother. With Babe’s daughter’s advice, she decides to see a doctor about her problem in order to get rid of the headaches and bad dreams. The doctor that she sees is Dr. Walker who is a group therapist who has helped many patients but is having trouble with one patient in particular—his brother who is constantly starting fires. Dr. Walker has Babe sit in the groups along with Aloyishus a man battling the bottle and the breakup of he and his fiancée, Vivian, an author who is afraid of the highway and is still hurting over a failed relationship, and Dorian who is has a gambling problem and is stressed out from work. Dr. Walker is trying to help Babe dig deep into her past in order to discover who the headless man is and why he appears in her dreams. All of the main characters held their own weight in the story and if it was written just about Babe, I am not sure that it would have been such a great story. I liked the book because there was no profanity and Babe kept my interest by the mystery and action of it all. Once you find out the reason of her dreams you will be relieved and drawn to the story as if there is a part two. The message that the author was giving was that there is a solution to your problems and it is up to you to discover it and fix it. This is what every character did and it leaves you with a feeling of hope and eager to know what is next for these people. Hopefully, there will be a part two. Again, Delores Thorton did an excellent job in her construction and I look forward to reading more of her works. S. Elitou ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^JTNW: What/Who motivated become a writer and why? DT: I started writing as a means of therapy after my dad died in 1982. I didn't think about it again until 1988 when I lost my sister to cancer. Again, I found that writing helped me to get through. JTNW: Is Babe or Ida Mae based on people you know? DT: My debut novel, Ida Mae, is fiction, although some of the characters are patterned after people I've known. Babe, is a fictionalized account of my mother's life. JTNW: Why did you decide to write about these characters? DT: I wrote Ida Mae to deal with an African-American female who enjoyed Country Music. Once I got into the story I found that I was covering many other topics such as, single parenting, spousal abuse and nursing home reform. My mother was so impressed with Ida Mae, that she asked me to write her story. At first I didn't want to write it, but I'm glad I did, for while writing Babe, I discovered so many things about her that I wouldn't have otherwise known. JTNW: Do you think people identify with these characters? DT: Yes! People really connect with my characters, and book clubs and readers' groups have even acted skits, based on the stories. JTNW: Did you consider teens when you wrote these books? DT: Actually, my target audience was African-American women, 35 - 55 years of age, with ties to the South. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that men liked the books as well as women, and teens enjoyed them as well. JTNW: What is the message that you wanted your readers to embrace? DT: I currently have three works of fiction, Ida Mae, Babe, and Anybody Seen Junebug? With all three, I hope readers understand the importance of loving and caring for one another. I'd also like readers to know that mental illnesses are very real. Oftentimes members of our community don't seek help with their problems. My books are really the triumph of the human spirit, as there are many obstacles to overcome in each one. JTNW: Would you suggest that teens read the book as well as elders why? DT: My books make excellent choices for all ages, for they contain NO graphic sex, and each work offers a glimpse of the history of African-Americans. High School teachers have assigned my books for classroom projects and book reports, and my first two works are required reading at Martin University, here in Indianapolis. Ida Mae and Babe have also proven to be hits with white readers. JTNW: How long did it take you to write both books? DT: It took one year to write Ida Mae, and about 10 months to write Babe. I could have written Babe in a few months, but I was so busy touring the country promoting Ida Mae. JTNW: Tell us more about your other books and the purpose behind the characters? DT: In addition to the three titles mentioned above, I have an inspirational nonfiction titled, Divine Appointment: A Caregiver's Guide, which deals with support for caregiver's and also with end-of-life concerns. JTNW: How did you feel when the books were published? DT: I was elated the day my books arrived from the printer. I don't think there's a way to describe the feeling, though I'd equate it to the birth of my children. JTNW: When you first released the books, what was the peoples' response? DT: Initially, people were very happy for me, and my family did all they could to help me market and promote. Of course, the haters surfaced later. JTNW: Both books were good but do people like one more than another? DT: A lot of people like Ida Mae better than my other works. Of course that's all right with me, as most first novels really reveal the author's heart and soul! JTNW: What is it like to be a published author? DT: I really like the idea of being a published author, and people respect the fact that I've left my mark. I think the greatest feeling is going into a bookstore and seeing my books on the shelf. JTNW: What is your goal for 2005? DT: I plan to publish my next novel, Airing Dirty Linen. And, I hope to revise my play, Silent Saviour. JTNW: What Advice do you have for young adults who want to write? DT: Read! Read! Read! By doing so, you will be aware of different styles, and genres. JTNW: You have a great cover for both books, who was the creator? DT: The cover for Ida Mae was designed by professional artist, Juanita Cole-Howard, and the cover of Babe is really a picture of my girlfriend, standing beside another friend's classic Ford. JTNW:What was your favorite book when you were a teen and why? DT: The Holy Bible in general, the book of Romans in particular. I've always been a spritual person, and there has never been a book more important to me. JTNW: Where can people meet you? DT: I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, but I plan to travel the country again in 2005. People can visit my calendar for my upcoming appearances. And, people can listen in to my radio shows, "Around2It" and "BookNook." JTNW: Do you have a website? DT: I have several, here are three: www.margueritepress.com, www.deloresthornton.com, or www.margueritepresspromo.com. JTNW: What are the last few words that you would like to leave with those that read this interview? DT: I'd just like to say that I'm extremely proud of the youth here at Jr. Top Notch. It is comforting to know that our youngsters have chosen to be a blessing to the literary community. I certainly wish you all the best! |
