Bittersweet - Hardcover

Johnson III, Freddie Lee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345445961 ISBN 13: 9780345445964

Publisher: One World/Ballantine, 2002

Synopsis

Clifford. Victor. Nathan. Three brothers as different as they come. Three lives that veer unexpectedly off course. One bond that heals them all. . . .

Clifford sees his life as picture-perfect: two wonderful young sons, a fast-track career, and a solid marriage. But fresh back from a family vacation in Florida, Clifford is hit with a stunning blow when his wife Demetria declares that she is leaving him for “true love, excitement, and fun”–an announcement that throws him into an uncontrollable tailspin of denial.

With one failed marriage under his belt, and a precious daughter his ex-wife bars him from seeing, Victor is no expert in romantic love. His philosophy? The only way to keep a woman from squeezing every last drop from you is to get out before things get too deep. But lately Victor hasn’t been feeling quite like himself–especially since he’s been falling for Edie and her little girl. Seems like he spends more time looking out for her then he does staking out new booty calls.

Even in the face of tragedy and travail, Nathan, a minister, remains hopeful. His marriage is a paragon of Christian ideals, his loving wife Brenda is his soul mate and support. But it wasn’t always that way. Nathan has left some ugly wreckage in his wake before finding God. Now he and Brenda are truly blessed with a solid family and an adoring congregation. Then, a troubled divorcée tempts Nathan–and threatens the sacred vows he swore to uphold.

While Clifford, Victor, and Nathan struggle with the unexpected–faltering marriages, breaking hearts, and torn childhoods that threaten to repeat themselves in the lives of their children–each will discover the true redemptive power of a brother’s love.

By turns fierce and passionate, tender and humorous, this wise novel blasts the stereotype that black men’s ties to their families are tenuous at best. Freddie Lee Johnson III tells a refreshing story of three complex men who fight to do right by their families–both the ones they created, and the one they were born into. The result is Bittersweet.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

“A tender, touching, sometimes achingly painful, and sometimes humorous testament to the power of love between black brothers and the women they love.”
–Detroit Free-Press

“[A] SASSY DEBUT–A TREATISE ON DIVORCE, TEMPTATION, AND FAITH . . . In alternating chapters that bear each brother’s name, Bittersweet weaves a true-life narrative that’s written mano-a-mano, and is also highly entertaining.”
–Black Issues Book Review

“A book to curl up with . . . An appealing tale of sibling rivalry and revelry from a man’s perspective.”
–Essence


From the Trade Paperback edition.

About the Author:

Freddie Lee Johnson III grew up in the Washington, D.C. metro area. He attended Bowie State College, earning a bachelor of science degree in History and Teacher Education before going on to serve in the United States Marine Corps as a Communications-Electronics officer and Infantry officer with the Reserves. He later received masters and doctorate degrees in History at Kent State University. He now lives in Holland, Michigan, he teaches History at Hope College.

About this edition

• Publisher: One World/Ballantine
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0345445961
• ISBN 13: 9780345445964
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384