Babylon Sisters: A Novel Paperback – February 28, 2006

Sometimes it feels like it is SO HARD hard to find a good black book, with writing and characters that not only entertain you, but also make you proud. Finally, I found (another) one! If you remember any of her other works, especially my favorite, WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY ON AN ORDINARY DAY, then you already no that Pearl Cleage tells a compassionate, intelligent story. BABYLON SISTERS is no exception.Babylon Sisters is the story of thirty-eight-year-old Catherine Sanderson, a strong black woman who's making a difference in this world. She's a woman who has dedicated her life to improving her community by working with immigrant women and helping them find jobs and housing in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. She has also raised a beautiful, intelligent daughter all on her own, and seventeen-year-old Phoebe Sanderson is finishing her senior year at a fancy, private boarding school and is all but headed to Smith College.But Catherine's peaceful, organized life is due for a few interruptions. In order to pay for Phoebe's expensive college tuition, Catherine takes on a job with a new client - the reknowned, eccentric black millionaire named Miss Ezola Mandeville. (Emphasis on the "Miss.") But Miss Mandeville, who runs a house-keeping business, appears to be involved through an unsavory business partner in a forced-prostitution ring with immigrant women. Catherine can't figure out exactly what they're up to, or even whether Miss Mandeville is actually knows what her partner is doing to her well-reputed business.At the same time, Phoebe has become ever more curious about the identity of her father, whom she has never met. In fact, BJ Johnson, the only man Catherine has ever loved, does not even know that he has a daughter. When BJ suddenly comes to Atlanta, Catherine is faced with the challenge of confessing to him that he has a seventeen-year-old daughter. To makes matters more complicated, BJ, a veteran newspaper reporter, knows more about Atlanta's forced-prostitution ring than he's letting on. When the savvy criminals realize that Catherine and her friends know too much, the close-knit group is faced with more than family drama. All of their lives are in danger.This novel has everything-good writing and a good story. Smart, intriguing, real characters. And it deals with real issues - poverty, the exploitation of women and children, money, power, greed, secrecy, love and trust. I love Catherine, and I especially love it that she is the kind of strong black women who really is real. She has taken care of herself and her family, and using her brains and her financial assets to do things that matter. No designer clothes or jacuzzis, but a superb education and exposure to the many different cultures of the world for herself and her daughter. And this book is about empowered women, and women empowering women, hence the title, "Babylon Sisters." (If you don't get the title now, you'll understand it better as you read the book.) This book is one of the best black fiction novels that I've read all year. Read and enjoy!

I loved this book, on many levels!I'm a white woman in the Midwest, whose reading tends towards mysteries and gory thrillers, or travel- or food-related fiction and non-fiction. I was looking for something "different" and "light" to read over Christmas, so a book by a black woman about black characters in Atlanta, dealing with "women's issues" and immigration sounded interesting. (See the editorial reviews for story line.)The mystery thread was engaging (even without anyone getting murdered!) as were the minor plot lines. I was afraid the "single-mother" and "romance" themes might be too sappy, but they weren't.The glimpse of 'black culture' was interesting and "natural". I liked the characters; you'd be lucky to have them in your circle of friends. It was refreshing to see well-educated, affluent black characters.There were references to books I've heard of but not read, so I'm now interested in seeking them out (e.g., the one that plays in role in the storyline).The author's style was so enjoyable. Her turns of phrase were pleasing and the pacing of the chapters made it hard to put down. This was a good story, well-told. I plan to read more of her books.

I gave the book 4 stars because it's not a bad book but just a good one. Not as stimulating as I would have liked but an easy read.

Thank you Pearl Cleage for allowing me to celebrate my womanhood and the men who recognize and respect US. The line "Respect the Narrative of Women's Lives!" speaks volumes to those of us who cherish our womanhood, our specialness, our place in this world as the protagonist and her circle of friends in "Babylon Sisters" do. You and Catherine challenge those who want to destroy all that is vital to us and our daughters to do the right thing for ourselves and our daughters. I believe that my daughter is finally ready for your books so I am going to give her all of them and have her read them in order. Continue to encourage us to challenge all that is wrong with our world through your narratives about proud women who do the same.

I am a HUGE fan of Cleage!! I read "What Looks Like Crazy..." when I was a young girl, and I fell in love with her style of writing; she combines politics with Black Nationalism, women-centered community, sex and sexuality, and a classy taste of drama in all of her writings. I would really love to see one of her books turned into a film, but I know that it will be butchered, so... nevermind. I loved this book, and all the ones before it. Now I am about to finish "Baby Brother's Blues", then start "Until You Hear From Me" while I wait for "Just Wanna Testify" to be delivered. CLEAGE IS A MUST-READ!!!!

The book was a easy read thriller. I like the suspense and twists and turn the book presented. I especially liked the ending.

I love Mrs. Cleage's style of writing. I wished that the element of mystery and intrigue was introduced earlier as tidbits to draw the reader in deeper. I found myself frustrated that so much of the book focused on her inability to talk to her daughter. But the last 25% of the book was great!

I enjoyed the book. It was selected as a book for my book club. Most members also said they liked the book.

EXCELLENT book. I LOVED the twists and how she dragged the story out. I found myself jumpiing ahead to find out what happened.