Category: Historical Fiction Publisher: Your Time Publishing, LLC
ISBN-10: 0984423303
Type: Fiction
Pages: 342
Copyright: July
ISBN-13: 9780984423309
The story takes place in and around the city of New Orleans. It has a heartbreaking beginning; a young child is snatched away from her family and given to a teenage boy as a gift. She lives under slave like conditions. When she becomes a teenager she is brutally beaten then forced out into a world she has no concept of. She finds a secluded little house in the woods, where she gives birth to her daughter, Lillian, when the baby starts talking; she names her mother, Mema. After living there for over four years, Mema becomes fearful that someone would steal her baby and use her, as a gift, so she moves to the city of New Orleans. Mema’s earlier suffering brought about many types of mental issues, and unfortunately her daughter had to endure her mother’s erratic behavior. Because of her appearance Lillian had issues of her own. Lillian makes it through puberty and meets the man of her dreams. She finds herself showing some of Mema’s mental behavior toward the people she loves. With the help of time, and an old friend, she finally faces her demons, forcing the mental anguish out of her family’s future, giving them the opportunity to do great things.
Excerpt
One day I was sitting on the porch trying to figure out what I was going to do that day when some kids from the neighborhood asked me if I wanted to go to the canal with them. I jumped up, I didn’t give it a second thought, but I should have, when we got to the canal everyone placed their nets into the water and sat back and waited. They were laughing and talking but not about me this time, I even joined in on a story or two, I was so excited, I thought they had finally seen past my differences. Before I could enjoy that thought, someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me backward, I was kicking and screaming for them to let me go, I could feel them rubbing something in my hair. I heard everyone laughing, and when they let go I put my hands to my head and felt the mud that was all over my face and in my hair. I remember running home and praying that no one else saw me, as I ran through the house I passed a mirror, I stopped and went back to look at myself, for the first time I could see the difference. Now I knew why they laughed, I said “I sure am ugly,” then I ran into the backyard and got the hose to rinse my hair, whenever I saw those kids after that I understood why they laughed.
Professional Reviews
Librarian, Linda Gielec
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Paulette’s amazing book, Her Story: Revelations. Paulette’s writing effortlessly flowed from the pages of her novel and painted so captivating a picture of the novel, that I felt I was in the midst of the story with every page turned. I couldn’t put the book down! Set in New Orleans, through several generations of one tumultuous family’s lineage, Her Story leads the reader into the delicate depths of the lasting effects that domestic abuse can inflict on even the strongest of characters. Despite the many struggles and hardships depicted in this book, this is above all else, a beautiful story of self discovery, struggle and survival. It teaches the lesson that, against all odds, one can overcome the many difficult obstacles of life and live a full and joyous life.”
AAMBC Reviewer name: Natasha R. Hines
Paulette Jones has a knack for storytelling dialogue. Generational hatred affects the lives of Mema, Lillian, Gail, and Nicole in HerStory: Revelation. Years after slavery, Mema is forced to become a four-year old sex slave to pay off her father’s death. Her tumultuous childhook caused her to feel abandoned and melancholy, emothons that she carried with her for the rest of her life and passed on to her daughter, Lillian, Gail, Lillian’s half-sister, is also tormented by the need of belonging. Her internal struggles led to infidelity, instability, and nearly caused her daughter Nicole to commit suicide.
This is not a story of depression and defeat, however, HerStory is a tale of triumph, perseverance, and tenacity. Gail and Lillian improved width a little assistance from Mrs. Florence. Lillian was able to break the traumatic cycle of hatred. She had two successful marriages and gave birth to tree intelligent, productive children. Gail took control of her life and returned to her husband and daughter.
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