Book Review: What A Woman’s Gotta Do
by Evelyn Coleman
- Voted #87 of the Top 100 Books of the 20th Century
- 1 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club’s Reading List
Publication Date: Jan 04, 2020
List Price: $19.99
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9781982153076
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.
Read a Description of What A Woman’s Gotta Do
Book Reviewed by Thumper
Now this was a fascinating book. What A Woman’s Gotta Do is a
fascinating book that successfully weaved together the spiritual, science,
and mystery in the form of a suspense novel starring a full-blooded,
three-dimensional African-American woman. Patricia Conley is an
African-American journalist, who lives and works in Atlanta. She doesn’t
know who her parents are and was raised the foster care system. Patricia is
a smart loner who has the feeling of abandonment and a longing to have a
family. On the day that she is to be married to Kenneth Lawson, she is drawn
into a mystery. Kenneth Lawson is a no show. So starts the her journey into
finding the truth behind the disappearance of her future husband to be.
Along the way, Patricia does some self exploration, has a man, Jeffrey
Samuels, who says he loves her but who Patricia doesn’t trust, and discovers
the true meaning of family. Patricia is taken through the mill, literary.
She dives into the mythical, religion and science. This may sound like a
tall order but Coleman fills it beautifully.
This book causes me to ponder the future of mankind and the role that
science will play in it. I will not go in depth about the specifics of the
book. I want everyone to read it. Coleman does her homework. The storyline
is so plausible that at times it seemed that I was reading a true account or
more frightening, a look into the future. No joke. The science is awesome. I
found myself reaching for textbooks that I did not have. The science does
get deep. I want to say that up front. But do not let that deter anyone from
giving this book a try. Coleman does explain everything. I was never left
with a feeling of being stupid.
Coleman places spirituality along side of science. She brings in the history
of the Dogon people and the oneness that Patricia found when she
acknowledged God. Also at the center of this book is the book of Genesis and
what it actual says. Yes, Coleman will have you reaching for your bible as
well.
This
book is a marvel. One that causes me still to ask questions. Especially, my
place in the scheme of things. I can help but to think of my place with God,
in this country, or in the universe. It’s heavy, baby.
The book does all of the above and is still entertaining. Patricia is my
girl. I had a wonderful time sitting inside Patricia’s head.
I could go on and on about this book, but I won’t. I didn’t finish it until
5:24 in the AM! You will not be disappointed with this book. Coleman has
left me standing in the dust with my mouth wide open. I am simply in awe.
Ms. Coleman, welcome to my favorite author list. Not every author can be on
it. Thanks for a marvelous novel. It was a pleasure reading it. Now…I want
another!! Where is it? *S*
Editors Note:
This review refers to the
first edition of this novel (pictured above), originally published in
1998 and was one of the first reviews published by AALBC.com