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Stand the Storm: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Breena Clarke
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $12.49
You Save: $12.50 (50%)
New (38) Used (13) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 50401
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 0316007048
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780316007047
ASIN: 0316007048
Publication Date: July 28, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Even though Sewing Annie Coats and her son, Gabriel, have managed to buy their freedom, their lives are still marked by constant struggle and sacrifice. Washington's Georgetown neighborhood, where the Coatses operate a tailor's shop and laundry, is supposed to be a "promised land" for former slaves but is effectively a frontier town, gritty and dangerous, with no laws protecting black people.
The remarkable emotional energy with which the Coatses wage their daily battles-as they negotiate with their former owner, as they assist escaped slaves en route to freedom, as they prepare for the encroaching war, and as they strive to love each other enough-is what propels STAND THE STORM and makes the novel's tragic denouement so devastating.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Steady Strength Conquers Chaos November 26, 2008
The novel was a very enjoyable read for me as I quickly became immersed in the lives of the Coats family and the skill and art of sewing. The strong mother/son bond between Annie and Gabriel is at the center force of the family as they weathered their storms in a disciplined and unassuming way.
The book deals with the Ripley family and other arrogant slave owner antagonists, but in a simple yet understandable way. It covers the difficult topic without overpowering the positive strength of the story.
Annie is a unique character and really the heart of the story. Ultimately she manages to survive and even thrive through all the challenges; enough that her goodness is passed on to new generations.
I found the most unique and enjoyable part of the book was the choice of period words and the scenes which are painted with them. It gave me a feeling of authenticity about the story and an impression that life, while similar to ours in some ways, was different back then in some good and bad ways.
 Slowly interesting October 10, 2008
"Stand the Storm" was interesting from a historical perspective but it did not capture much in the way of the personalities of the time or the characters. While I respected Gabriel and his family, I could not warm up to them. The book was well written but also one that was very easy to put down.
 No central conflict - no story! September 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book starts out well enough -- a story about a slave family that struggles to purchase their own freedom. The most unfortunate part of the book is that the climax of the story occurs quite early. At that point I begain to wonder, with the central conflict so quickly resolved, where's the story going to go? The answer: nowhere. The book meanders through the lives of the Coats family without any clear direction.
The book does have some redeeming qualities, however. Clark is a talented writer with a creative style and eloquent prose. Nonetheless, without a central conflict to drive the story forward, the book becomes quickly boring.
By the end I found myself simply not caring about the main characters. On top of that, when I finished the book, I found myself quite angry. I'd rather have Gabriel, the main character, die as a soldier fighting in the Civil War. Instead he comes to a far less interesting end.
It all comes down to storytelling. Clark is certainly a talented writer, but she could use some practice with basic storytelling techniques.I think I finished the book more out of spite than interest.
Stand the Storm: A Novel September 9, 2008
My husband and I read this book. Together, we gave it a "B". If you only read one of this author's book, this is the better one. Breena Clark's first book, "River, Cross My Heart" is a good book and an Oprah book club selection. TIME magazine gave "Stand the Storm" an "A-"
A Novel of Family August 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This was a beautifully crafted story. IT relates the story of a mother and her children during a coming of age story during slavery in the American South. Told in an easy going way, it was like the patterns of knitting stitches. Each part meshed into the next. THE pacing was wonderful, clean and clear and in a straight line. Just like the even, humming of the needle through the cloth. You learned to care about each of the characters, FREE or SLAVE, and how historical events impacted their lives.The people in power, and those without power were well described. With the background of the Civil War it touched on many emotions, but never in a maudalin way. This novel was a great read, and the characters truly touched me. I expected to read at the end that this was a real family; the ancestors of the Breena Clarke. Not since ROOTS, has there been such a well done story of the African-American experience during Slavery.
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