About book Ain't Gonna Be The Same Fool Twice (2007)
In April Sinclair's spectacular sequel to Coffee Will Make You Black, marks the return of down-to-earth Jean Stevenson now a college graduate struggling to maintain her identity with the ever changing society in 1970s San Francisco. Apparently, I read this book out of order. I borrowed this copy from my mother's best friend who claimed she didn't have Coffee Will Make You Black which is a real bummer considering this was a strong effort from Ms. Sinclair. I was more than disappointed with I Left my Back Door Open (check out my review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) but because April Sinclair came so highly recommended as an author I should read, i decided to give it another shot. I mean don't all novelists have a bad apple in a bunch once in a while? And boy am I glad I read this. However, there's a reason as to why this book earned four and not five stars. Read the list of advantages and disadvantages below:Advantages:-Sinclair addresses controversial issues African-American men and women ignore like sexual orientation, racism, sexism and having the ability to be open-minded. I for one found this refreshing as I'm tired of reading books where a black person is blaming the 'Man' for their issues and unfortunate circumstances.-A vivid portrait of the 1970s. The references to sex, drugs, Woodstock, hair care products, gay and lesbian bars, disco music, cheap prices on housing (those characters would die if they could see the prices of single family homes) and clothing forced me to envision myself in that decade.-Sinclair's indirect advice on how one shouldn't be blinded by the world, hence the title "Ain't Gonna Be the Same Fool Twice" helped me to relate context clues to society in 2015.Disadvantages:-Although infrequent, I felt the mention of Grandma's passing was unnecessary as was the skiing, relationship with Cynthia and the demise of the relationship with Traci considering how the book abruptly ended. I guess I was expecting a sequel to this one and yet it's been almost two decades since this book's publication so I can only assume it's safe to say this is the final book in the series.-A little cliché when you think about the plot: Black girl from the South Side goes to college to be the first one to graduate in her family (Strike 1) and then graduates, she moves to California (Strike 2-why does it always have to be California?) where she becomes involved in drugs and sex and the like which was introduced to her by a girlfriend (Strike 3). And that's how the book goes.-Took a while to get into. Story didn't pick up until fifth chapter. Maybe I'm being a little generous with the four stars because maybe it deserves three but in all actuality the book held my attention, I didn't have to re-read passages and Sinclair's writing style contrasted my own which I found unique. Definitely one for the shelf!
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