updated 6/11/2008

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(copied from http://www.therawreviewers.com/artman/publish/LadyBird.shtml)

Date Reviewed:  May 28, 2008

Same sad song

Honey Shaker's love of music would eventually propel her from her humble beginnings to performing on international shores.  Honey was born in a small town in Eastern, North Carolina.  All of her childhood mates already had the plans for their lives etched in stone: graduate from high school, get married and have babies.  Honey desired more out of life than that.

Luckily, she was blessed with the gift of song.  As many a talented, young person had done before her, Honey got her start singing gospel music in her local church.  She quickly outgrew this venue and began singing in local night clubs.  After leaving North Carolina, she not only lands a gig in a Washington, DC club, but she also falls in love, quickly marries and has her Passion.  Honey's chance at love is short-lived and her life tragically cut short in the aftermath, leaving Passion to be raised by Honey's mother. 

Passion is also blessed with the gift of song, but denies her gift and chooses to pursue other, more destructive ways to ease the pain and loneliness in her heart.  Her path eventually crosses with that of Frieda, a most unlikely friend and confidant.  Unfortunately, Passion's transformation, like that of Honey's, is also cut short.  Frieda is left to continue the story, but can only do so after finding herself and her purpose.

As I began reading LADY BIRD, I was heartened to see that the book was set in the county of my childhood.  I could easily relate to the scenery and environment in which Honey was raised.  Nevertheless, as the book progressed, the richness of the story began to dissipate.  Many of the characters were underdeveloped, leaving me with many unanswered questions. 

Reviewed by Hope Denise Murphy
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers