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 Uptown by Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Great writing doesn’t always equate to a great story. Authors Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, no doubt, are at the top of the list when it comes to their craft. Uptown, simply fell short for me in terms of being a great story. I must say, it was refreshing to read because unlike some stories of late, it actually aroused my senses and made me realize I need to challenge my reading acumen, a little more. The book was given to me and since I had not read anything by the DeBerry/Grant team in quite a while, I was excited when I opened the envelope and saw it was their latest.
Uptown, a story about family, honor, commitment, tradition, and secrets, deals with re-gentrification in Harlem. The story centers around two estranged cousins, Dwight and Avery. Dwight heads the Dixon Group, a black-owned development firm looking to build a multi-use complex that will displace many low-income residents. It would also be the first of its kind, spear-headed by a black-owned firm. Avery, who disappeared fresh out of college to pursue a career in Foreign Affairs, and escape a traumatic incident involving Dwight, holds the key that will either open the door for the Dixon Group, or permanently lock it.
I often wonder how Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant collaborate on their stories. After reading Uptown, I think I have a good idea…or maybe not. Uptown, read as if two different people were writing the story. When the narrator focused on Dwight the story moved at a fast pace, my interest was peaked, and I felt connected to the outcome. But when the focus turned to Avery, it became bogged down with detail, and at times moved at a snails pace. A trip to the ladies room took almost three pages to describe, followed by an entire chapter that only covered a trip to the Jersey shore (the same night) and ended with breakfast and a nap. Descriptive detail only bothers me when it serves no purpose, and a lot of Avery’s story was useless information that felt like filler. Eventually I began to loathe Avery, and sympathize with Dwight who was annihilated more and more with the turn of each page.
There were moments in the story that were truly relatable, like the aftermath of an accident involving Avery’s mother. Those chapters were so well written I found myself looking for tissue. But as quickly as I would become engulfed in a part of the story, the direction would turn and my interest waned. Some would have given up on the story but I wanted to see it through to the end. Unfortunately, the ending had no aha lesson, no surprises, and nothing really that warranted my willingness to stay committed to finishing the book.
Although I wasn’t able to fall in love with Uptown, I still have much love and respect for the dynamic duo, and look forward to their future writings. All things considered, Uptown, gets a 3 star rating.
Much Love,
Tracy
Tracy L. Darity is the author of He Loves Me He Loves Me Not! and Love…Like Snow In Florida on a Hot Summer Day. She is currently working on her 3rd novel, The Red Bear Society, scheduled for release in late 2011. For more information, visit www.TracyLDarity.com.
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