Waiting to Exhale

Several years before "chick lit" became fashionable, "Waiting to Exhale" was published. While the four main characters are African American, the book transcends all racial, ethnic and national boundaries. All four women share one problem universal to the entire female gender: men. Savannah is a PR executive who is moving from Denver to Phoenix to be near her best friend Bernadine. Bernadine has just been told by her wealthy husband that he is leaving her for a white woman. Gloria is the owner of an upscale hair salon for black women in Phoenix and the single mother of a teenage son. Robin is a very smart woman at her job at an insurance company and an incredibly dumb woman with men. The book narrates (two of the stories are told in the first person, two in the third) the dating trials and tribulations of these women. Any woman who has ever dated in her late 30's will recognize the cast of characters: the married men who "plan to leave their wives," the men who have no money and no credit, the commitment phobics, the men who discover they are gay...I would recommend this book to fans of women's literature: both serious and lighter. If you're a guy, you should pick this book up with caution!

Ms. McMillan has proven to the literary world that she is a talented and gifted writer. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her book when I read and insert of a chapter in Essence magazine. I knew it was going to be a good book. I found it too hard to put down. I read it everywhere I was at immersing into each character's personality and problems with men, family, and work. John was wrong for leaving Bernadine for greener pastures after she helped build his business. Robin was an ultimate dingbat for getting involved with the wrong man. Savannah was headstrong but still looking for Mr. Right and being pressured by her mother to get married. And Gloria was a spiritual and hardworking black woman making ends meet for herself and her son. In the end, the characters triumphed from their adversaries. Some of those critics were quick to put Terry in her place when this book came out but she has proven to be a great writer for the African-American female.

I think that many women have at some point been in one of the four main characters shoes. We've all been dumped for another woman. We've all made stupid decisions in relationships and we've all put ourselves in a self-defeating relationship at one point in time. I'd love to meet the woman who was born perfect - born with all the right ideas about love and relationships. Sure, I wanted to tell Robin and Savannah to stop slutting around but it didn't make me angry or annoyed with the book. I noticed that many of the other reviews expressed that they became angry with the book because of the premiscuous behavior that some of the characters were involved in. Those of us who have been lucky enough to realize that sex does not equal love should applaud Terry McMillan for showing this to other women who are behaving like Savannah and Robin. Furthermore, for those of us who have been in Bernadine's shoes I was so glad to see that there was light at the end of the tunnel - that she rediscovered herself and she rediscovered love with the RIGHT man. A worthwhile read for ALL women. No matter what race or lifestyle we lead every one of us faces similar struggles.

I am amused at the nasty one star reviewers who feel that Waiting To Exhale is ONLY about black people, a kind of press conference for inter racial subject matter. Have you ever read Moby Dick? If so, I am here to tell you that is not about whales, not really-- and it is not about White whales either. I don't have time to teach the alphabet to nasty folks but I will try: Waiting To Exhale is a NOVEL. NOVELS are not to be taken literally, they are creative expressions. I can just see the surprised look on some simple faces -- go back to your Nickelodean, don't even bother with literature, stick to HIGHLIGHT magazine, and maybe -- maybe -- Goodnight Moon. Anyway I loved it; laughed out loud even the second time through. LOVE her way with dialogue and character. McMillan is a fresh and powerful voice who has, because of her extreme success and popularity, become a sometime target for the bitter and the jealous, not to mention the feeble. Spike Lee wrote a lengthy book jacket quote for the book, in support of Ms. McMillan, addressing the Black male issue as it pertains to the book, and perhaps this should be enlightening to those who care to look further. Spike Lee is not in the habit of suffering fools or racism -- so get a clue. His support and the support of thousands of loyal fans (black, white, red, yellow and purple) should prove that McMillan is a talent -- yes indeed, there are some who know how to read, not REED.

I bought this book when the hype started, and I wanted to see what the big fuss was all about. Believe me, it was--and is---the bomb!!! Everyone knows sisters like the ones portrayed here, and had the movie ended like the book, it would've been given it the poetic justice it deserved (Whitney, as Savannah..?? PUL-EEZE!!!). It basically goes through all if the issues that Black women have today: kids, divorce, employment hassles, and looking for a good brother. Savannah ultimately got what she wanted (to be alone), Bernadine got her redemption ($ka-CHING!!$), Gloria was finally forced to prioritize (as well getting a new chance @ some booty) and Robyn finally stopped being dumber than a box of rocks. And brothers, if the truth hurts, say ouch and GET OVER IT, SHEESH!!! A great romp and fun to read!!!