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 Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a novel!!!!!!Jun 26, 2010
The first book I've read in a long time. I'm so grateful to my friend Cynthia for placing this book in the palm of my hands. Probably the best book I have ever read. I was wowed by the writing and depth of Diane Mckinney-Whetstone.
BRILLIANT!Jun 26, 2008
This was the first novel I've read by McKinney-Whetstone but it certainly won't be my last. What a beautiful novel; it actually reminded me of Toni Morrison's Jazz and any novelist who can conjure up images of Toni Morrison with only her FIRST attempt has got to be some kind of genius. Noon and Herbie love each other but have never been able to consummate their marriage due to a horrible secret in Noon's past. Within a span of five years they find not one, but two children sitting on their doorstep and they create a surrogate family for themselves. With love, courage and strength this family is able to stand up to outsiders who threaten to destroy their community, and heal themselves and their family in the process. You will fall in love with this beautiful novel!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Don't know how I missed this one....Jun 23, 2008
I've read "Blues Dancing" and enjoyed it. How I missed this one escapes me. But I also bought "Tempest Rising" at the same time I bought this and I am not mad about a thang! This is literature. If you're tired of reading all of this worthless crap out now diguised as books, then stop and pick this one up. Sit back, relax and enjoy. I also pre-ordered her new one. All in all I am now a true fan of DMW. I'm not sure what kind of person wouldn't agree that this is a great read....
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Better catch yourself...Sep 20, 2004
What a lovely novel. Ms. Whetstone has a gift for letting her characters make the story rather than just her putting pen to paper. Her books seem to write themselves. Her characters are just that; characters. The story of Herbie and Noon is a touching one, but devoid of all romance. And although that was hardly the focus of the novel, it lingers. There are many tragic heroes and sheroes in this novel and the author's ability to tie them all together with one thread to one woman who can help them all is fantastic. Excellent story. Excellent writing.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Hidden PainJun 27, 2004
Almost everyone has deep, dark secrets that they feel should never see the light of day. For some it may be childhood feelings of insecurity, rejection from a should-be lover, the scars of abuse gone unchecked, or shame beyond measure. But, how often do we take the time to peel those layers of hurt and pain away from our psyches as we attempt to go on about our daily lives?Not often, and such is the case for the characters of "Tumbling", Diane McKinney Whetstone's brilliant debut novel. "Tumbling" centers around one of our most basic desires as human beings--the desire to love and to be loved in return. Set in a blue collar community in Philadelphia, ""Tumbling" explores the lives of several ordinary citizens--ordinary meaning that they all have their crosses to bear. Noon, abused as a child has lost the right to her "womanliness." Herbie, her husband, is the hapless victim caught up in a no-win situation--loving his "good" wife, while seeking fulfillment in the arms of a sexy, nightclub singer named Ethel. When Herbie comes home late from a jaunt at Club Royale and finds a deserted infant on his steps, he and Noon's lives are given new meaning. They are blessed several years later with a playmate for their only child in the form of another abandoned castaway. With plenty of love to divert their attention away from themselves, Herbie and Noon are content to raise their children with the very best that they have to offer. However, their refusal to deal with and resolve past issues comes back to haunt them, and what was once maintained in nice, neat, organized bundles becomes the crumbling plaster that makes the walls come tumbling down. -Rosalind Stormer, author of "Healing the Breach"
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based on 86 reviews
