Breaking Ice is a collection of short stories from well know authors some more so than others, but all the stories were worth the read

Short stories are my favorite literary genre and these are excellent! The many, varied female voices - in particular - are eye-opening and engrossing; the subjects are pertinent and realistic. The lives, thoughts, moods, and experiences of people of color are portrayed with finesse and great literary skill. This book introduced me to many new writers who surely deserve to be read. I would highly recommend this book to the study of African-American Literature in universities world-wide.

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. IT HAD ME READING EVERY NITE. I LOVE THE STORY OF AISHA AND RASID. ALSO, THE STORY ABOUT A WOMAN CATCHING HER HUSBAND HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A YOUNG AND MORE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. I FEEL SOME OF THE STORIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN LONGER. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD SHORT STORIES IN THE BOOK

As a reader, I think that Terry McMillan is one of the best authors there is. I have read all her books, and I really enjoyed each and everyone of them. I recommend for anyone to try and read her books. There Great.

When my English teacher told us that the class had to read a book and present an oral summary in class, I was a little apprehensive because I only read when I have to. So, for the literary-challenged she brought in some of her favorite books, one of which was Disappearing Acts. I started reading the book in class, and I couldn't put it down!! That afternoon I went straight to the bookstore and bought it and finished it that night. McMillian really has a talent of grasping the true characters, reaching into their souls, and telling the reader Franklin and Zora's story of dating, love, careers, and sex!! McMillian definately has the power of empathization down to a skill!! A must-buy-tear-jerker!!!

Disappearing Acts examines the up and downs of a relationship and believe me Franklin and Zora had their fair share of problems. Franklin despite of what he took Zora through really was a good man he just had some issues. I don't think Terry can top this one.

An incredible book about an incredible flight.It is difficult to know which is the more interesting -- the historical part of the book about the original Smith brothers flight, or Peter McMillan's account of his modern day recreation of the same flight.As an aviation buff I loved the detail of how the airplane was built (using the original plans) and tested and then the day-by-day chronicle of the flight. The chapter about the crash in Indonesia (by uncanny coincidence in virtually the same place as the Smith brothers 75 years before) is a great read. Highly recommended.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short is reminiscent of Mama and Dissappearing Acts. Both of those books were stories told with lots of love, compassion, empathy, and honesty. Terry has infused these same qualities in this book, and I for one am glad to see that she is finding herself again. 'Stella' was a narcissistic tribute to herself that wasn't the greatest read for me. Waiting to Exhale was fun but didn't nearly approach the high quality of storytelling that Terry is so capable of. I was dissappointed with the mostly ineffectual male characters in this book, and it was a culture shock for me (yes, I am African American) when I opened the book to the mother, Viola, speaking with such poor grammar, and cursing too, but I quickly adjusted. I like the messages about family and that we all have problems, but they don't have to have their way with us. Terry also understands that although we spend a great deal of our young adult lives trying to run away from our families, that most of us begin the journey back to them at just around the same age as Paris, Janelle, Charlotte, and Lewis. I feel sorry for the families that don't have a Viola to help them find the way home.

When, many years ago, I raved about the first audio book I had listened to, my sister-in-law, a librarian, haughtily informed me that "Books are meant to be read, not listened to".

I knew nothing about Terry McMillan when I picked up the unabridged audio version of this book, not even that she was a black author. I needed a book for a long drive that turned out not to be long enough. We started listening in Savannah, and by the time we reached southern Florida, were thoroughly absorbed by the lives of the Price family, but only part way through the book. We finished it in rental cars along the coast of Portugal, and from Marseilles through Provence to Avignon, where the car rental and the book ended at the same time. Along the way we laughed and cried at Viola and her extended family.

The many reviews posted have already described the book and its complex structure. The five * raters have it right - it doesn't matter if you are white or black, or even if the characters are, their experiences cross color lines, and everyone should be able to identify with the characters Ms. McMillan has created.

I love to read, but have always had trouble reading dialect. The superb cast chosen for the unabridged audio version make this book come alive in a way that I believe makes it an even better "hear" than I am sure it must be as a "read". Since each chapter was written in the voice of one of the characters, the audio format is especially suitable. The subtleties of dialect, and differing degrees of sophistication between the characters are brought out by hearing them speak. If my sister-in-law was truly correct about books being made to be read and not listened to, this audio might well be the exception that proves her rule.

Beginning with "Mama" ( 1987) and on through "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (1996), few have plumbed the richness of contemporary African-American experience as ably as Terry McMillan. She has done it with grace, humor, style, truth, and an exacting ear for dialogue.

Those with ears to hear will listen and re-listen to this superb rendering of her latest tale, which unflinchingly deals with many of the ills that beset us - sorrow, unfaithfulness, addiction, self-deception, untruthfulness, anger. Yet, over and above all of these tribulations, Ms. McMillan shows us the astounding power of resiliency and love.

Viola, a seemingly-impossible-to-capture family matriarch and the mainspring of this story, is indelibly captured by the performances of TV actress Desiree Coleman and film and TV actor M E. Willis. Ranging from razor sharp to coy to vitriolic to forgiving, their voices bring this family drama to life.

Author McMillan joins actors Alfre Woodard and Richard Allen to read the abridged version. As vibrant as her prose, Ms. McMillan's voice adds impact to these adaptations.

The first time I read the book I loved it, I couldn't put it down, I wanted them to make a movie, I, well, I was 14. The second time around at age 19 I wasn't so impressed. Reading it a second time, with a mature mind let me see things I missed the first time. Was it me or did anybody notice Franklin did all of the following things...
-Raped Zora
-Hit Zora
-Cheated on Zora
-Abandoned Zora and the baby
-Destroyed Zora's house
-Verbally abused her by calling her fat
-Lied to her about his divorce/children/lack of college degree

Yet still in the end they ended up together and we are supposed to call this a love story. Puh-lease! This is more like a tragedy.
Terry McMillan is a wonderful writer, yet still this book is sad and lacking. It's sad because she glorified the Tragedy of so many African American women. Franklin was a poor example of an African American man, Zora...she's just weak. She got pregnant out of wedlock 4 times. It needs repeating, 4 times. If Zora was a real life person my friends and I would have some 3 and 4 letter words to describe her. I'll just call her loose. If it wasn't for the plot I'd love this book because it's so realistic and Terry's Dialogue has always seemed like the voices of people I know. However, as a strong Black woman I can't support such a weak individual as Zora, had it been me I would've never let Franklin back into my life or my bed. This is a twisted story.

I recently read A Day Late and A Dollar Short, I enjoyed it so much I went and bought this one. I am so glad I did! I thought her latest one was good, but Disappearing Acts put the icing on the cake!

Terry McMillian writes and you instantly become a fly on the wall. Her writing style is so raw, honest and to-the-point! She is my favorite female author!

I am instantly became friends with Zora and Franklin as they let me take peek into their lives. Zora was a strong black woman, but when it came to Franklin she melted like butter. She stuck with him through the good times and the bad. When Franklin didn't have a pot to (go to the rest room in) in and a window to throw it out she was right there. Sometimes I couldn't understand why a beautiful, intelligent woman like Zora that had so much going for herself would want a married, alcholic and uneducated man like Franklin bringing her down. But that is how it is when love comes into the picture. Now Frankiln was a good man, but when he was down and out he brought others along with him. I didn't like the fact that when times got hard he always took it out on the one person that was sticking it out with him --his woman! Even though I loved Zora and Franklin together, I think they are better apart. Franklin has alot of growing up to do and he needs to understand life ain't always peaches and cream!

Disappearing Acts easily gets five stars and I HIGHLY recommend book lovers to read this one! I liked this one out of all of her books! Pick this one up today you'll be glad you did!

Well, i didn't like Waiting To Exhale at all (too Danielle Steelish for me), this book was truly amazing... i had my husband read several of the parts where i felt McMillan truly "got it" with male-female relationships. yes, Franklin was a loser, but do stories need to be about Prince Charmings or the girl totally being unbelievably strong and true? when it comes to love, many of us fall in love with a less than perfect person....and we stay with them. The fact, that this story dealt with this i thought made it way more plausible than some story where Zora totally got on with her life and learned to live without Franklin (perhaps, in the cliche of these type of stories, zora would have started her own female business or something...a'la First Wives Club (movie)). Zora was a real character, as was Franklin warts and all...

Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan

After having read HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK two years ago, I've been looking forward to reading another Terry McMillan novel. WAITING TO EXHALE is about four thirty-something African-American women who have one problem: MEN.

Savannah is an executive who is trying to find Mr. Right. She always seems to think she's found Mr. Right, always on the verge of finding the man of her dreams, but she always finds out in the end that the guy is just another jerk.

Gloria is a very overweight but stylish woman who owns a hair salon in Phoenix. It's THE place for black persons to get their hair and nails done, and Gloria has done pretty well for herself and her young son. The man in her past is her son's father, a man she never married, but it seems that deep down she wants more from him than just a friendship.

Bernadine WAS married to a highly successful businessman, until he decides to take off with his young white bookkeeper and leave Bernadine with the house, the expensive car, and the kids.

And Robin is this highly intelligent woman that keeps attracting losers. Unfortunately for Robin, she has no idea they're losers. She seems to be totally blind to that fact.

There's a lot of humor and fun in WAITING TO EXHALE. As each woman deals with her own man problems, their friendships keep each either from going insane. I loved watching Bernadine as she set fire to her husband's BMW. I crossed my fingers each time Savannah met yet another eligible bachelor. I prayed that Gloria would find someone to share her life with. And I wanted to smack Robin around a bit, every time she went back to her loser boyfriend Russell.

I enjoyed this book a lot and had a good time with it. What I enjoyed about it the most were the characters: Terry McMillan writes characters that are so vivid in my mind that they jump off the page and become real. Even her most shy and most insecure characters seem to have such depth to them. I feel that she's got a gift that not all writers seem to share, and that is to make the reader want to know her characters, and if not that, at least we have a good idea what her characters are all about.

Funny, witty novel about four women in Phoenix: Savannah is the unmarried buppie in search of Mr. Right at age 36; Robin is the ditzy bimbo who can't shake her trifiling lover Russell; Gloria is the overweight owner of a hair salon who hopes to find true love, and Bernadine is the mother of two kids and is reeling from being dumped by her husband for a younger white woman. This novel has been often imitated, but never duplicated. Many authors have tried (and failed) to top Terry McMillan's insightful novel, and they all come up short. If you've seen the movie, then you need to do yourself justice by reading this novel which goes into far greater detail than the movie ever did. It will broaden your understanding of relationships, regardless of your race, gender, or sexual orientation. And contrary to conventional opinion, this is NOT a male-bashing novel but rather a bold statement that the Sisters out there are mad as hell and are not gonna take any more nonsense from the Brothers. Highly recommended.

The author Terry McMillan really let it all out when writing this book. This book was a book that I believe that every black woman can relate to. It was written with excellent taste, and the gospel truth about black men and women relationships. It was funny, it was sad, it was loving. I can actually relate to every page in this book. This book is excellent, excellent for entertainment, this book will have you talking for weeks. I read this book while riding the metro to work, and it had me laughing out so loud, people were wondering what was wrong with me. I highly recommend every woman of color to read this book. I like the book much better than the movie! Get this book, it's a book that you can not put down. I have actually read this book while having Sex!, my boyfriend was upset! It's very hard to put down, I'm telling you! GET IT! I brought the video and watch it constantly everynight!, My children come into my room, and look at the television, and see the same movie everynight, and say OH COME ON MOM NOT AGAIN! I advise you to go an get this book today, or order it on the internet, it worth every dollar. I can't wait for more of Terry's books to come out. So far, I have read all of girlfriend's books. Terry get the pencil out and start writing, I'm waiting.....friend in Bowie, Marylan

I had looked forward to reading a book by Terry McMillan because she is such an acclaimed author. I chose Mama because the synopsis sounded interesting. I wouldn't have believed it possible that someone with as much obvious writing talent as Ms. McMillan has, could create such a wealth of morally-bankrupt, patently unlikeable characters. The only person I thought was even partly decent was her oldest daughter, Freda. Mama was a heartless, vicious, opportunistic person who treated other people (including her own children) like garbage. And I'm sorry, but all these other reviewers talking about a woman trying to rise above her poverty and disenfranchisement? She spent the entire book drinking, and looking for a man that she could get to buy her things, and take over her financial responsibilities. This is someone we are supposed to be rooting for? The fact that so many readers purported to relate to Mama, and to have shared the same experiences as single parents, I think bodes for the end of the world. I was raised by a single parent who actually worked, and treated me with love and respect. I thought this book was an insult to any loving mother. I can only hope that Ms. McMillan's other books warrant the high praise they have received. This one did not.

I have enjoyed reading Terry McMillan's books from the moment I picked up "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." I love Ms. McMillians sassiness in her characters and her straight forward, in your face approach.

This book was another hit as far as I am concerned. It was another page turner that I could not put down. I may not have like the characters personally, such as Mama, she needed a swift kicked in the butt. I found her to be very selfish and cold. She whinned to much for me and I would not have given her my forwarding address if I were one of her children. She was a horrible example for her children in a lot of ways. God's hands were helping these children survive and thrive in a desolate place.

Terry, thanks for writing this story. I love your style and wish you continued success. I am looking forward to reading your next book.

Terry Mcmillan has changed my life. I was never the one to pick up a book and read it from front to back. But then I got a hold on to Terry Mcmillan's MAMA. I was 12 years old and I read it twice. I have been reading ever since. I tell every one about her. Everything I read is based on one of her books. Or should I say that I compare every book to her books. Mama was and still is the best book I have ever picked up. I love the book! I have all of her books. I can't help book read Mama more then once. It showed me how real somepeople write. That book is so raw. I would just turn page after page and not care about the time. I would get finish reading Mama in one day. It got me reading and writing more then I ever did. And oh yeah I am now 19 years old. I have read over 100 books. And I owe it all to Terry Mcmillan's MAMA. Thank You Terry Mcmillan!

Usually I enjoy a book more than the movie. In this case it was the opposite. Ms. McMillan has created a self-absorbed character who is more concerned with her own appearance (and the appearance of others) than any other quality.

It is hard to understand why Stella is so smitten with her young love interest, as their conversation seems on a level with a couple in high school. She continually demonstrates the self esteem of a high school girl as well; each time she doesn't hear from Winston for a little while she is convinced he doesn't really care for her, despite his protests to the contrary.

After reading 3/4 of this book, that centered mostly on her possessions and status symbols (hair, clothes, car, home furnishings, music, etc.), I found I had to put it down. When I began reading this book I enjoyed the run-on, stream of consciousness style of the author; but reading about Stella's self-absorbed world finally became too boring an experience to want to finish it.

I often share my books with friends, but in this case I would be embarrassed to do so.

This summer I saw "Stella.." sitting on the shelves at Wal-Mart. Being a big fan of Terry McMillan I thought I'd buy it and put it on my bookshelf. See, I'd actually read the book via the local library when it first came out and to be honest, I wasn't feeling it. Yes, admittedly it was those overrun sentences, etc. But this time around, I LOVED IT! I had to realize the book was written based on the character's thought pattern. Stella was cool. Neurotic, but interesting nonetheless. And so, this time around, I consider it one of my favorites novels. I just don't understand all the Terry McMillan bashing that's going on like she's a terrible writer to be compared with, she can't write, yada, yada, yada. What gives? Give her a break. Her success, her style has opened up the Africian-American literary world to COUNTLESS (well, maybe you can count them) new and emerging Af-Am writers. We won't name them, but they know who they are. LOL! I'm saying all this to say, don't give up McMillan; she has a lot more to say (fingers crossed). And, yes, KEEP WRITING BOOKS PLEASE. Thank you very much!

How stella got her groove back by Terry McMillian is about a fourty-two year old woman who is searching for love. She took a vacation to jamaica where see meet this guy name Winston . winston is young , but she doesn't really mind .She goes back home after a week and tells her family about her adventures. They really didn't approve about what happend down in Jamaica. The two began to fall in love and can't live with out each other. I think that the author of this book Terry McMillian that you can find love no matter the age , ethnic background, or color. the charcter Stella had to make a lot of hard choices. Her choices lead in to a great relationship where she found happiness. The charcter stella seemed like she was a very good, and real person. She acts the same way that some of family members act. I really like this book and hope to see more of her books.

Terry McMillan's name is immediately recognized in popular literature. Many fans and readers are curious about the life of this woman who created a new genre (urban romance) and opened the eyes of publishing companies that Black people do read books.
Unfortunately this "Unauthorized Biography" of the author falls very short in telling us about Ms McMillan's life and what developed her as an author.

What you get is a compilation of stories regarding Terry McMillan but nothing substantial about her life and art. In fact the vast majority of the book talks about the publishing industry, other Black authors, the latest gossip and other trite subjects that have nothing to do what so ever in dealing with the life of Terry McMillan. What is shared is information that has already been known. This biography doesn't tell us anything new. If only it would talk about Terry then it would hold your attention.

Most of Patrick's biographical information is from the books (Mamma, How Stella Got Her Grove Back,etc.) that she finds are autobiographical in nature to McMillan's life. Novels are not facts and Ms Patrick should have taken the time to do some full scale research. Her excuses about McMillan being uncooperative doesn't hold water if you are truly dedicated and serious about doing justice to a major author.

If you are looking for a definitive biography of McMillan leave this book on the shelf. If you want to be slightly entertained and not interested in the facts and development of this great writer by all means this is the book for you.

A well-deserved tribute to the lady that has indeed opened doors for many African American aspiring writers. Too bad she doesn't see the impact she's made. As another reader has said, the biography would have been much more fun had Terry been involved in its making.

The Unauthorized Biography was an interesting and entertaining book. I did however feel, it left out a lot to be said for Tery's life !

The story Dianne Patrick told was Terry's life thru her novels ! While she did get some co- operation from others and what other people have said in the past thru articles . It is clear from the begining Terry was not interested in her doing her biography !

Which is the case in most unauthorized biographies ! I will applaud Dianne Patrick in her telling of the biography . She enlightened us on a lot of the things in the industry of writing ! She gave us more than a biography . I will admit if you are interested in Terry's life as it relates to her novels you might want to buy this book in the paperback version . As stated above I enjoyed the read, it just wasn't as much of a biography as I had thought ! I wished Terry had co-operated with Dianne. I think Dianne could have done a better (great) job with the facts ! Dianne did showed us how a phenomenal author came to be thru the eyes of her novels !