Meant to Be: A Novel
Rita Coburn Whack
Nov 2008 · Sold by One World
4.0star
1 review
Ebook
320
Pages
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About this ebook
In a novel reminiscent of the work of Maya Angelou and Ntozake Shange, Rita Coburn Whack tells the story of how a young woman’s spiritual awakening leads her to maturity and self-fulfillment.
When Meant to Be opens, thirteen-year-old Patience Jan Campbell is called upon to read and interpret her favorite scripture for the church congregation: “I think this scripture means that children know every shut eye ain’t sleep and every head bowed ain’t praying, so grown-ups ain’t fooling us or God. . . . So nobody should hold a child back from God just ’cause they may be having trouble finding Him.”
But a traumatic experience causes Jan to stumble and lose her “voice.” Unable to turn to those around her, she calls for her grandmother Hannah—who died before Jan was born—in prayer. Unbeknownst to Jan, Hannah does come, and through her wise eyes we follow Jan into her early twenties as she moves to the big city, goes to college, and begins a career. A reflective father, a misunderstood mother, a sage aunt, and two pivotal lovers all build emotional bridges that help Jan progress on her journey to womanhood.
When Meant to Be opens, thirteen-year-old Patience Jan Campbell is called upon to read and interpret her favorite scripture for the church congregation: “I think this scripture means that children know every shut eye ain’t sleep and every head bowed ain’t praying, so grown-ups ain’t fooling us or God. . . . So nobody should hold a child back from God just ’cause they may be having trouble finding Him.”
But a traumatic experience causes Jan to stumble and lose her “voice.” Unable to turn to those around her, she calls for her grandmother Hannah—who died before Jan was born—in prayer. Unbeknownst to Jan, Hannah does come, and through her wise eyes we follow Jan into her early twenties as she moves to the big city, goes to college, and begins a career. A reflective father, a misunderstood mother, a sage aunt, and two pivotal lovers all build emotional bridges that help Jan progress on her journey to womanhood.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
1 review
Teri Hicks
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May 17, 2018
The author takes us back to a time when things were different. Different because of the circumstances for people of color and because of beliefs and nurturing. In this case we watch as Jan goes through her own life challenges and growing pains. We watch as her decisions lead her on different paths. Then we see Jan's life and choices from the view point of her celestial grandmother Hanna. The feel and message of the book deepens as does the journey. I love the place this author takes me too. Yes it is still before my time but not by much and the association is there. A simpler time yet so complicated as relayed in this story. My first read by this author and I have completely enjoyed it. Her flow and dialogue takes me back to listening to stories from my grand parents or sitting and drinking lemonade in their backyard. We may not always make good choices but we always return to our roots and right where we are meant to be.
About the author
Rita Coburn Whack is a writer, television and radio producer, and on-air radio contributor. She is a two-time Emmy winner. Currently a contributor for WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s public radio station, she is married, a mother of two, and a resident of south suburban Chicago. You can e-mail her at RitaCoburnWhack@aol.com.
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