Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (Oprah's Book Club)
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside another edition of this book

What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (Oprah's Book Club) (Hardcover)

by Pearl Cleage (Author) "i'm sitting at the bar in the airport, minding my own business, trying to get psyched up for my flight, and I made the mistake..." (more)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (188 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


9 used from £1.56
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback (Reprint) £8.49 £7.69 20 used & new from £3.12
School & Library Binding 4 used & new from £34.33
Paperback (Large Print) 2 used & new from £0.60
Audio Cassette (Audiobook) Order it used

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

She's Come Undone

She's Come Undone

by Wally Lamb
4.1 out of 5 stars (299)  £5.81
Fall on Your Knees

Fall on Your Knees

by Ann-Marie MacDonald
4.5 out of 5 stars (59)  £6.85
I Know This Much is True

I Know This Much is True

by Wally Lamb
4.6 out of 5 stars (502)  £6.99
Icy Sparks (Oprah's Book Club)

Icy Sparks (Oprah's Book Club)

by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
4.2 out of 5 stars (16)  £8.39
The Book of Ruth (Oprah's Book Club)

The Book of Ruth (Oprah's Book Club)

by Jane Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars (1) 
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Hardcover: 244 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow & Company (Dec 1997)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 038097584X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0380975846
  • Product Dimensions: 22 x 14.8 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (188 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,669,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

At first glance Pearl Cleage's What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day seems pretty heavy going: HIV, suicide, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and drunk driving all figure prominently in the lives of narrator Ava Johnson and her older sister Joyce. It isn't long before crack addiction, domestic violence and unwed motherhood have joined the list--so, where's the pleasure? The answer lies in the sharp and funny attitude Cleage brings to her depiction of one African-American community in the troubled 1990s. Ava Johnson, for example, might be HIV-positive, but she's refreshingly forthright about it:
"Most of us got it from the boys. Which is, when you think about it, a pretty good argument for cutting men loose, but if I could work up a strong physical reaction to women, I would already be having sex with them. I'm not knocking it. I'm just saying I can't be a witness. Too many titties in one place to suit me."

As the trials and tribulations pile on, the experiences of Cleage's characters prove to be universal: death, love, second chances. Ava's acerbic, smart-mouthed narrative keeps the story buoyant; by the time this endearingly imperfect heroine and her cohorts have negotiated the rocky road to a happy ending, readers will be sorry to see her go, even as they wish her well. --Alix Wilber, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Product Description

Ava Johnson has had a decade of wild living in Atlanta and now she's returning to her home town of Idylwild in Michigan, her fabulous career plans in tatters. Ava is certain that Idylwild is the end of the road for her, but instead it turns out to be a new beginning. She falls for Eddie, a tough, but tai-chi-practising, Vietnam veteran; she rediscovers her relationship with her recently widowed sister Joyce; she supports the town's teenage mothers. But Ava also makes enemies. The Reverend and his formidable wife seem determined to drive her out of town. But what secrets are they hiding? Pearl Cleage's debut novel is a truly engaging, universal story, and her sparkling voice combines compassion, honesty and warm humour. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Product Description
Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
i'm sitting at the bar in the airport, minding my own business, trying to get psyched up for my flight, and I made the mistake of listening to one of those TV talk shows. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
 
pearl cleage
black fiction

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (Oprah's Book Club)
49% buy the item featured on this page:
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (Oprah's Book Club) 4.2 out of 5 stars (188)
Fall on Your Knees
15% buy
Fall on Your Knees 4.5 out of 5 stars (59)
£6.85
I Know This Much is True
13% buy
I Know This Much is True 4.6 out of 5 stars (502)
£6.99
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
12% buy
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle 3.9 out of 5 stars (67)
£5.57
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

188 Reviews
5 star:
 (97)
4 star:
 (55)
3 star:
 (15)
2 star:
 (12)
1 star:
 (9)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (188 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good!, 6 Jun 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: What Looks Like Crazy (Paperback)
This book did not really appeal to me but as it had been passed over by everyone in our book club I thought I'd give it a chance.

I was pleasantly surprised. I found the book to be a frank but gentle tale written with great charm and much humour. My only criticism (and the reason I wouldn't give it five stars)is that I felt it ended prematurely. I was just getting into this community and wanted to read so much more. Perhaps a sequel will be forthcoming!

Well done Ms Cleage, I love your style and will recommend this to my friends.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, 25 Feb 2005
This review is from: What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback)
I found this book rather disappointing particularly after reading some very promising reviews. I was expecting a read with some depth - insightful perhaps. Instead, I think I would have to place it in the 'chick lit' category. It's a great read for the beach, but when the main character's romance kicked in, I'm afraid it all got a bit much for me! The author attempts some gritty realism, but seemed to plump for hearts and flowers in the end. A good choice if you want to feel all 'lovely' afterwards, but beware if you prefer a meatier read.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Two sisters face some serious problems with humour and style, 30 Jan 2003
This review is from: What Looks Like Crazy (Paperback)
After she's diagnosed HIV positive, Ava returns to her Michigan hometown to stay with her sister. She's only passing through as her plan is to head to San Francisco. But she gets drawn into Joyce's concerns against her better judgement - a group for the young women of the town, the care of a "crack baby" whose mum is only interested in drugs. She even meets a lovely man - but how to tell him? And can she take on a new life and face her fear.

I really loved the title of this book too.

Luci

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars un-put-downable
This book is fantastic, I've just re-read it and have leant it to all my friends!
Published on 19 Feb 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sensitive story, fast-paced reading.
I started this book and couldn't put it down. The humor throughout the book was intriguing despite the medical condition of the subject. Would recommend for anyone.
Published on 7 Sep 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Pageturning, exciting and interesting
I was hooked on this book after reading the first paragraph. I can't wait for her new book!
Published on 29 Aug 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Ava could be your best friend
I love books that suck you in from the beginning.. And this one does. It is filled with believable and interesting characters, compassion, secrets and glory. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Shared it! Will re-read it!!!
This book was wonderful. It speaks to all women and especially to the human heart. You want to follow the characters forever. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the book!!
This book is very well written! The story was captivating. If you care at all about your community or fellow man you will probably enjoy the book. I loved the characters. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars I was expected something different
It was very life like, the scenarios seemed very really, wish it could have been longer.
Published on 18 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
I loved the overall theme that no matter how bad things look, love can still conquer all.
Published on 18 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars I truly enjoyed reading this book- it was great !
This book was funny,sad and filled with lives situations that people somehow find difficult to talk about. I really like this one. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Fairy Tale With A Story Book Ending
This novel had a story line that flowed nicely from page to page, a book that was extremely hard to put down. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 1999

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject













i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

Ad

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.