"Anybody Seen Junebug?"By Delores Thornton
Junebug is in prison. But thats not his biggest problem. For years, Junebug had to deal with five different personalities in his mind, without any professional help. Each personality is based on stories, told to Junebug, by his grandma at a early age. Although Junebug realizes that he has a mental problem, he never sought professional help. While in prison he meets John, his cell mate, who committed a crime because of a mental problem he never sought help for. Junebug and John become close friends and it's John that suggest Junebug speaks with a professional when he gets out of prison. When Junebug is released, he starts to get his life back together. He moves back to his old apartment, gets a job and starts to see a psychiatrist. All is going well until one of his personalities, Elizabeth, decides to teach Junebug a lesson which could change his life, forever.
Delores Thornton has created some memorable characters in "Anybody Seen Junebug?". I became very interested in the lives of The Davis Family and their unconditional support of Junebug. Their love and support for each other was very heart warming. I was amazed at the lengths John went through to keep the family together after their mother was killed by a drunk driver.
Also, as I was reading "Anybody Seen Junebug?", I couldn't help but analyze the judicial system. I started to think about all the black men in prison who may be dealing with the same problems Junebug and John went through. For all the crimes committed by them, who ever took the time to consider that maybe a mental problem is the basis behind it. Society will sit back and blame their family, the school system, television and rap music before they really seek to find out what may really be the problem. I wonder how many smart, loving and strong brothers are locked up right now because they were trying to deal with a mental anguish on their own.
Thornton was able to write a interesting novel without creating the stereotypical sexually charged, dramatic, back stabbing characters that seems to be popping up in other novels lately. This is a book that everyone in the family can (and should) read.
Reviewed by Joy Farrington |
