His Insignificant Other

Blessings on Karen Siplin. Yesterday I had jury duty and her first novel, His Insignificant Other, saved my sanity. I loved this book even more than Such a Girl - which I also greatly admired - and I hope that all those who only read the second will go back and read the first. From start to finish, this is a smart, entertaining, provocative, never-drops-the-ball-once kind of read featuring a complex heroine who is neither sinner nor saint but just a confused human being like everyone else I know.

I read the book about the girl who worked at the hotel as an operator and I really enjoyed that one. There aren't too many African-American writers who can catch on to authentic dialogue, humor, sarcasm, and diversity all in one novel. Where some specialize in one, they also completely fail in another. It was interesting to see Siplin pretty much ignore the race identity factor in the book, which was almost a relief because many times, it's not necessary to bash it in the ground (read: Omar Tyree). She knows how to set up a sex scene without giving me entirely too many graphic, vulgar details (read: Eric Jerome Dickey and Zane). She also knows how to add humor and sarcasm in the same crisp fashion as Lynn Messina. The operator book was good, but it slowed down in the middle. This book was a great read all the way through. I love the ending. Phenomenal. Even when the main character was dead wrong in some parts, along with other characters, Siplin has a way of making you forget that "fill-in-the-blank" is wrong and we should be mad at them. Her characters are colorful, grip the page, and make me appreciate an easy, enjoyable read. I will definitely buy all of her books.

I really enjoyed this book becuase it was real life. I could relate to all of the relationships between the friends in the book. It contained many life lessons for things that many of us go through each day. This book was enjoyable to read and I could not put it down.

I read Ms. Siplin's first chapter on her website and was so wrapped up in her main character, that I immediately received the book to read, and I'm so glad I did. I read it in one sitting, and it is already up on my fave list of 2002.In His Insignificant Other, we have Casey Beck, a 29-year-old sister who lives in Brooklyn, New York. As the novel opens, Casey has been celibate for several months, blocking the loving from her boyfriend, a man who confessed of having a one night stand with his ex -- the beautiful Mali -- a month into their relationship. Casey is finally about to release her celibacy-induced build up on her anniversary when the most surprising thing happens. Mali returns...and she needs a place to stay. Casey, not wanting to lead the ex to her man, agrees to let her stay with her, and thus begins the bedhopping, dramaful, reflective, hilarious, yet serious novel that Siplin has penned.I fell in love with the main character, Casey. Her narration of the story was real to me; I saw this sister, I felt for her, and I understood her confusion of the situation she was dealing with. The friendship between Casey and her best friend, Ariadne, was a great one, and believe me when I say there is enough drama and sexcapades in this novel to keep you flipping the pages with fervor, trying to figure out what happens, who ends up with who, and who will finally get his or her life in order.For a debut novel, I am truly impressed with Ms. Siplin's writing style, dialogue and narrative in His Insignificant Other.I definitely will be on the lookout for future works!Shon Bacon

His Insignificant Other opens with the return of an EX, who comes back to town to win back her old boyfriend...Casey's current boyfriend. The book is told from Casey's point of view and it portrays all the missteps people make when feeling insecure and neurotic. Throughout, Casey is guided by Ariadne (my favorite character in the book), who acts as the voice of reason with subtle humor, and sometimes not so subtle. I get her humor, and found myself laughing out loud. I was looking to be entertained and hands down, this book delivered.