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Despite being born to a broken-hearted mother and a faithless father, Campbell still believes in the power of love…if she can ever find it. Living in the same neighborhood, but unknown to Campbell until a chance meeting brings them together, is Donovan, the “little man” of a shattered home—a family torn apart by anger and bitterness. In the face of these daunting obstacles, Donovan dreams of someday marrying, raising a family, and playing for the NBA. But, deep inside Campbell and Donovan live the histories that have shaped their lives. What they discover—together and apart—forms the basis of this compelling, sensual, and surprising novel.
Campbell writes in her journal, "Ain't no man ever going to make me cry." Her mother, Millie, does little but clean house obsessively and mutter about her husband Fred's cheating. Luscious, a 400-pound neighbor woman, who's got nothing better to do than warm the vandalized benches around the Brookline housing projects, says it's a crying shame, but Millie married Fred just because she was afraid of becoming a spinster, cuddling cats in her lap 'stead of babies. Campbell doesn't know what to do but watch her mother weep and keep on bringing those little yellow pills (Valium) she takes every day. A move to a Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone that the family buys holds an unpleasant surprise: a creepy tenant. This peppermint-sucking public masturbator is Clyde Walker, and just the way he looks at her makes Campbell nervous. But he promptly moves on, to everyone's relief, replaced by flamboyantly gay Clarence Simon and his lover Awed Johnson: an abusive bisexual who cheats right and left on swishy, pathetic Clarence, whom Campbell likes-one more reason for her not to trust nobody. An abrupt segue leads to Luscious's childhood memories of rape and abuse by a fat pimp, and, moving right along, there's also Solomon, son of Grammy, a witchy old lady. Sickly and spoiled, Solomon grows up to father Donovan, Campbell's eventual love interest. Sensually loving romps start turning into a relationship-but, hey, looks like Donovan has a commitment problem, when he ditches her at the airport before their flight to the Caribbean. Not even his ever-loving Grammy, who still cleans his apartment, knows the truth: Thatas a boy Donovan was repeatedly molested by Grammy's boarder, Clyde Walker, the peppermint sucker. Campbell writes poems about her broken heart.
Sordid and incoherent, from a talented writer who's done much better. (Warning: fairly graphic descriptions of adult-child sex.)
CreativeGifts
Posted August 13, 2011
I was so mad at the author when I finished the book. If I had paid attention to the prologue I would have been prepared. Great Great story very well told. It gets you so involved you will understand why love affairs just dont work out some times
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Posted June 24, 2008
I was pretty upset about the ending, but the novel was good. Two lovers in two different worlds,handling the past and moving on.
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Posted September 3, 2007
I fell in love with Ms. McFadden when I first read Sugar. I then went out and bought every book I could find by her. I liked Loving Donovan - the ending was without answers, just like Campbell felt? and left me wanting more - like Campbell? Perhaps a sequel is in the future? Thank Ms. McFadden.
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Posted January 28, 2007
OKAY.....this book waas real interesting in the beginning you explainging how both of their lives were messed up growing up basically stting the story now that was going on for ever then like the last fifty pages is when they finally meet you rushed it along.......then the ending oh jezzzzus the ending SUCKED butt you did all that explaing in the beginning then at the end when your rooting for them you dont explain anything or what happened with vacation you just ended it with nonsense...for you to leave it like that im assuming you have a sequel but if you dont then damn dont write anymore books.
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Posted March 31, 2005
To begin this is my first time reading one of Bernice McFaddens and I enjoyed the way she made you want to get to know the donovan and campbell and there family and friends in the beginning. But the end upset me she left the characters hanging and did not like that. Over all it was a good book it just did not end right at all. I felt like she ran out of ideas for campbell and donovans chanracters. Question What happen to Donovan ?
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Posted December 7, 2004
The beginning is real good, the middle is okay, the ending sucks. There should be a sequel because the ending kind of leaves you hanging.
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Posted November 19, 2004
i'm a big big fan of bernice mcfadden she stole my heart in sugar and again in loving donovan. this book brought back old memories of my past relationship
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Posted June 27, 2004
Sweaty palms. Furtive glances. The skip a heart makes when we find ourselves physically attracted to a potential romantic partner. We become a slave to our phones. Develop a one track mind and enjoy cozy dinners discovering the essence of our newly beloved. Long, probing conversations. Tentative initial kisses. Smoldering passions hidden under the cover of nonchalance. Soft touches that sends chills racing throughout our bodies. These are the emotions that we die for when our flesh feasts upon the object of our unbridled affection. Ahh, the joys of romance. Time spent getting to know one another. This is the subject of 'Loving Donovan', by Bernice McFadden. Written in three short stories, Ms. McFadden shows us the participants before they meet. Her: Campbell, a young girl experiencing the relationships in her midst. Her mother's total dependence on a wayward husband. Her aunt's mastery over the men that she allows into her life. The emotional pain of the couple that lives above them. Campbell's own tribulations with the men in her life. Now a grown woman, Campbell's been living under a simple journal entry she wrote in days past. Ain't no man ever going to make me cry, make me talk to the walls and wail out to the Lord. Ain't no man ever going to break my heart. Him: Donovan. Beautiful. Sensitive, raised by a manipulative, domineering, and cruel maternal grandmother. Hidden secrets. Beautiful on the outside, Donovan is chock full of unresolved conflicts on the inside. Them: Boy meets girl. Girl loves boy. Both must deal with their expectations, motivations, and reasons for coming together. Peeking under the cover of who we become, Bernice McFadden takes relationships to a higher level. We are the sum of our experiences and it is these thoughts, ideas, and underlying emotions that play a large part in who we are in our intimate relationships. 'Loving Donovan' presents boy-meets-girl in an extraordinary fashion. Relationships don't begin when we first meet. They begin with the relationship we have with ourselves. -Rosalind Stormer, author of 'Healing the Breach', Flavah Reviewer
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Posted July 13, 2004
I enjoy Ms. Mcfadden's work, she is truly a gifted story teller. Loving donnovan was yet another literary piece that explored the pains of the innocent, the unnecessary suffering inflected on the unsuspecting, by those who you feel should be your protectors. The story was a gripping depliction of lives not completely fullfilled because of the darkness that lurks in the shadows of their being. Campbell and Donnavan were two wounded spirts robbed of so many joyous experiences because of the circumstances inwhich they were made to endure. They were robbed of their childhoods, the happiness that they should have experienced, but will never be able to enjoy. The story was heart wrenching from beginning to end. You were made to think what more! The imagery with the penguins was a great depliction of what each character so desperately sort. The ending was not what I would have expected, yet it still left you with that warm sort of feeling.
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Posted January 7, 2004
I enjoyed the book
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Posted November 14, 2003
I really enjoyed this book. Ms. McFadden makes you think, sometimes hard about difficult situations. I was a little disappointed with the ending, and I would have enjoyed learning more about Luscious, but hey, maybe there will be a sequel. Definitely worth reading
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Posted September 28, 2003
I loved the way this book connected in a funny peculiar way from the blue open toe clogs(Daisy), to the little girl singing 'over the rainbow' (campbell), to the two men conversing in the bar over the crazed woman. (pat)
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Posted September 27, 2003
BEST BOOK OF 2003. WELL WRITTEN , UNPREDICTABLE, EMOTIONALLY COMPLEX, AND SKILLFULLY PACKED WITH SURPRISING DEATILS THAT WILL HAVE YOU THINKING AFTER THE STORY IS READ.
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Posted August 5, 2003
what i enjoyed about this book was the reality of it all. Like other books @ least it wasn't predictable. I was disappointed w/a portion of the book, enjoyed the book. it just goes to show u the power of love. I am sure we all have been there a time or two. great book must read!!!!!
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Posted June 3, 2003
Loving Donovan by Bernice L. Mc Fadden brings us the story of two thirty something lovers, Campbell and Donovan. The book first gives us a family history of each lover. They are both searching for love but in the end they allow their family histories to condemn their six-month relationship. Campbell¿s brief relationship with Donavan resembles her mother's relationship with her unfaithful father. Campbell expects more from the relationship than Donovan is willing to give her. Donovan finds it difficult to continue with the relationship when he discovers that Campbell makes more money than him.
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Posted May 5, 2003
It began a little slow, but then all of a sudden I was swept up in a wonderful trance. I found myself waiting for my next break to read it. It is one of the few pieces of literature I have ever spoken back at! I yelled at Grammy, wanted to kill Clyde and even thought about getting a penguin charm (you have to read it for yourself to understand). I am looking forward to any story which could continue the lives of Campbell and Donovan (together or apart). Ms. McFadden has a new fan for life and I'm buying all of your other works TODAY!!!
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Posted February 2, 2003
Ms. McFadden has done it again! Her vivid writing and well thought characters speak to you as you read this cleverly written tale of love found, challenged, and questioned. This is another one you cannot put down. I had the pleasure of attending Bernice's booksigning on January 27 and I have the book finished already! Bernice, thank you for warming up a cold NYC night with laughter and love....continued success and much love! Trevor
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Posted February 11, 2003
It is this reviewer's opinion that Bernice McFadden's latest novel, Loving Donovan, is another hit! She cleverly and thoughtfully reveals the stories of Campbell, Donovan, and their relationship. The "Her", "Him", and "Them" chapters are told in true McFadden fashion. She takes us back to the beginning - rewinding time and starting with the very young Campbell and Donovan and slowly moving them into adulthood. Through carefully placed flashbacks, we transcend generations and meet Campbell and Donovan's grandparents and parents in their younger state of being. We experience their pain, joy, shame, and fears. We learn their most scandalous and guarded secrets and begin to understand all the complexities and dynamics that shape their thoughts and actions. We clearly see the cycle of desolation that ultimately molds and influences Campbell and Donovan. The families are dysfunctional, the homes are broken, no one is perfect, but they are doing the best they can given the circumstances. McFadden gives us just enough to understand Campbell's quest for love and to empathize with the troubled, delicate psyche of Donovan. Will Donovan and Campbell overcome the personal baggage to embrace love? Can they supercede their haunting, painful pasts for a promising future together? Read to find the answers. It is the beauty of McFadden's words, pacing, and storytelling style that keeps the reader mesmerized throughout the book. This reviewer finished the book in one sitting. Her writing style is simplistic, precise, and rhythmic which makes it so easy to visualize images, hear the voices, and feel the emotions. Loving Donovan will not disappoint McFadden fans...I loved it and cannot wait to see what she presents next. Reviewed by Phyllis APOOO Bookclub, Nubian Circle Book Club
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Overview
Despite being born to a broken-hearted mother and a faithless father, Campbell still believes in the power of love…if she can ever find it. Living in the same neighborhood, but unknown to Campbell until a chance meeting brings them together, is Donovan, the “little man” of a shattered home—a family torn apart by anger and bitterness. In the face of these daunting obstacles, Donovan dreams of someday marrying, raising a family, and playing for the NBA. But, deep inside Campbell and Donovan live the histories that ...