Barbara B

I enjoyed reading this book.It made me think of so many things. I self reflected on my own definition of friendship. Who are my friends or are they just acquaintances? What qualities do I see in them? Am I a good friend? Flournoy's portrait of five female characters, all from different backgrounds and different ideas as to what life should be develop a strong commitment to each other. This book marvels with rich character development and descriptions that the reader can visualize connections and personal relationships grow. The story line provides these images across about 20 years with peaks and downs. I particularly liked the interaction of the two sisters Desiree and Daniella. They were like a rubber band as sometimes they were pulled to the extreme and other times there was complete avoidance.

Angela Flournoy is not afraid to touch on cultural, political, social issues or the heartbreak of America in these troubled times. They are not the purpose of the book but give a reference point and authenticity to the emotions of the characters. As an older adult I realized that these girls faced the same emotions in life that I did many years ago.

Lastly, I was intrigued with the title. I took the word Wilderness and broke it up, What is it to be wild? Now add the suffix er, thus being more then wild. And finally ness bringing the title to mean: the state of being more wild. They were wild girls especially in their 20's and in retrospect isn't life wild at some part of life?