Redemption Song

This was a beautifully constructed fable/love story/inspirational/historical piece. Miss Berry really put her heart and soul into a story that will resonate with the reader for a long time. Josephine (Fina) and Ross are brought together one morning in a book store. This is just not any bookstore, but none other than Black Images, run by Miss Cosina Brown, Ms. Cozy, if you please. She is a wise soul who posseses a book, a special rare book, that promises to change these three main characters lives. Anthropolist Ross and advertising exec Fina reach for the book at the same time only to be told it isn't for sale. That settled, they sit down with Ms. Cozy and read the story written by a former slave woman. Little do they know how her story interconnects with them all. As the story weaves a heart wrenching story of the pain and hardships of slavery and its legacy from the past to the present, the three characters must examine their own lives and their future. I like the fact that the better part of this story took place in a book store. This small book packs a lot in its pages.

Books can really influence your life as this one has done its job. I was moved with tears as I read every single page of Ms. Berry's debut fiction novel. This book is more than outstanding it's like Ms Berry was given this as a message for all of us to take a look back in order to move forward. If you are looking for the type of book that will make you dig deep down into your soul and look at life different..This is a MUST READ. I can only ask that she continue with what she has started with this one because you have just tipped the ice on the message you've shared. This is one that I will always be led back to read over and over. Thanks Bertice for an awesome book and I look forward to many more like this one.

I finished reading this book yesterday and felt like I needed to tell someone, anyone about it! I 'm an avid reader, but few books have moved me like Redemption Song did. I've read the last chapter 3 times already. The book really spoke to me about what we as the black race and the human race need to do to save our own. You've gotta read it!

A friend gave me this beautiful book, which I read over the last couple of evenings. I hope potential readers don't presume that because the book is written by an African American woman the reader should also be female and black. I'm a 43-year-old white guy and I was moved, touched, delighted and inspired. I encourage others who may not fit the likely "target market" to pick up this book. You won't be sorry.

This splendid fictional debut puts two strangers at the same place, for the same purpose and puts them on the same mission-to change their lives to help the enigmatic future of African-Americans. Ross Buchanan and Josephine "Fina" Chambers fall in love as they realize their meeting was not happenstance. The two meet at the African-American bookshop Black Images and reach for the same book at the same time. Both are determined to keep the book, so the owner Miss Cozy must solve their quandary. The book is not for sale but she allows them to come everyday to read the book together. Miss Cozy participates with the couple as they all become closer, especially Ross and Fina, turning the pages of a book written by a slave woman. With each experience Ross and Fina find their own characteristics that were once confusing to them and experiences that can be compared with Iona, the slave whose gift of writing came to her when she picked up some paper and a writing utensil. Each discovers that their connection to their ancestors is the key to changing the future for the better. The lesson to be learned is that we as African-Americans must learn from our history and ancestors if we want to progress, and we must start with our seeds, our children. Also, we must learn to love and accept that we are entitled to happiness. I enjoyed this book because it challenges you to delve deep within yourself and see what has been holding you back over the years.