Babylon Sisters - by Pearl Cleage (Paperback)

About the Book

From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day . . ." comes another fast-paced and emotionally resonant novel--a gripping story centered on strong, spirited black women and the important issues they face.

Book Synopsis

Catherine Sanderson seems to have it all: a fulfilling career helping immigrant women find jobs, a lovely home, and a beautiful, intelligent daughter on her way to Smith College. What Catherine doesn't have: a father for her child- and she's spent many years dodging her daughter's questions about it. Now Phoebe is old enough to start poking around on her own. It doesn't help matters that the mystery man, B.J. Johnson-the only man Catherine has ever loved-doesn't even know about Phoebe. He's been living in Africa.

Now B.J., a renowned newspaper correspondent, is back in town and needs Catherine's help cracking a story about a female slavery ring operating right on the streets of Atlanta. Catherine is eager to help B.J., despite her heart's uncertainty over meeting him again after so long, and confessing the truth to him-and their daughter.

Meanwhile, Catherine's hands are more than full since she's taken on a new client. Atlanta's legendary Miss Mandeville-a housekeeper turned tycoon-is eager to have Catherine staff her housekeeping business. But why are the steely Miss Mandeville and her all-too-slick sidekick Sam so interested in Catherine's connection to B.J.? What transpires is an explosive story that takes her world-not to mention the entire city of Atlanta-by storm.

From the New York Times bestselling author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day . . . comes another fast-paced and emotionally resonant novel, by turns warm and funny, serious and raw. Pearl Cleage's ability to create a gripping story centered on strong, spirited black women and the important issues they face remains unrivaled.

Review Quotes

Praise for Pearl Cleage and Babylon Sisters

"Pearl Cleage's wonderful new novel, Babylon Sisters, shows a writer at the top of her game, managing to weave together the eternal dance of mothers and daughters, a timeless love story, rich friendships, and international politics into a fast-paced Atlanta saga with an unforgettable villain and a thrilling climax that leave us cheering. Pearl has once again given us a book filled with folks who are so real, we think we know them, or wish we did."
-e. lynn harris, author of Since I Lost My Baby

"Babylon Sisters' funny, feminine, fabulous voice sings a story of history, family, love and redemption. Cleage's ability to make the personal political and the political personal triumphs once again! Nestled in this beautifully written ode to love-of child, friends, men, and self -is a call to political activism and empowerment."
-Jill Nelson, author of Sexual Healing

"You'll love this savvy love story in which Pearl Cleage returns to Atlanta and the West End community and nails it! Cleage knows her city. She knows her community. She knows her people. Pearl Cleage knows her stuff!"
-Tina McElroy Ansa, author of You Know Better and The Hand I Fan With

"Babylon Sisters is a delectable feast! Pearl Cleage's people are my people. Their world of problems is complex and radiant, covering a wide spectrum of contemporary political and cultural issues. Cleage writes with the intelligence of a master storyteller and her underlying humor keeps our spirits high. Like flower petals swept into the sky by a warm wind, Babylon Sisters carried me away from all worries, reminding me that great writing changes your life."
-Deborah Santana, author of Space Between the Stars

"Cleage writes with amazing grace and killer instinct."
-The New York Times

About the Author

PEARL CLEAGE is the author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day. . ., which was an Oprah's Book Club selection, and Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do, as well as two works of nonfiction: Mad at Miles: A Black Woman's Guide to Truth and Deals with the Devil and Other Reasons to Riot. She is also an accomplished dramatist. Her plays include Flyin' West and Blues for an Alabama Sky. Cleage lives in Atlanta with her husband.