#BookReview: Visions: The Story of a Black Girl Determined to Make It Despite the Odds - Williette D. Dotson

For the life of me, I couldn't tell you why I picked this book up. Oh wait, yes I can. I forgot to request books ahead of time from the library so I was left to wander the shelves trying to find something good to read. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Self-published in 1993, Visions is the story of Verna (no last name given), a poor black woman from a small Arkansas town who moves to St. Louis in the 1960s for a better life.

Arriving in St. Louis with her young child from a previous marriage and little more, Verna soon marries the father of the child she's currently carrying, Paul. The collapse of her second marriage leaves Verna alone to raise Waymon and Paula. When the handsome A.D. moves in with the family of three, life begins to changes in ways Paula and Waymon can't imagine. Waymon escapes by leaving for college, leaving Paula to fend for herself. At this point in the book, the story really becomes Paula's, while the others become secondary characters.

Determined to make a better life for herself, Paula sets off for college. The roadblocks she encountered while growing up are nothing compared to what lies in store for her in the coming years.

What did you like about this book?
It was a very quick read.

What did you dislike about this book?
It was extremely predictable for the most part. Occasionally I was surprised, but not very often.

What could the author do to improve this book?
More insight into the lives of Paula's mother and brother after she left home would have provided a more well rounded story. Instead the reader is left to guess why they act as they do.

190pp
Published March 1993