GETTING TO HAPPY is the masterfully written sequel to Terry
McMillan's highly acclaimed WAITING TO EXHALE. For readers
who can recall the dilemmas of Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine,
and Robin fifteen years ago, you'll be delighted to see how
the ladies handle themselves as they reach their midlife
crossroads. Bernadine suffers from bitterness that has led
to horrible pill addiction, which she uses to distract her
from pushing past the pain that resulted from the sham that
was her second marriage. Savannah, who realizes a little
too late that she settled for someone she wasn't really
compatible with, sacrificing freedom and happiness for the
title of wife, finally makes the decision to strike out on
her own as a single woman at fifty-one. And Gloria, who
found fairytales and kisses in the eyes and arms of her
husband Marvin, is forced to deal with what she thinks she
can't when a single moment changes her life forever. Robin,
shop-A-holic-internet-dating-hippest-mama-in-the-world is
still searching for Mr. Forever and trying to make some
concrete decisions about her life and plans as well.
What's most refreshing about GETTING TO HAPPY is that it
drives home the notion that life is not a fairytale. As
much as readers of the first book want to imagine the
ladies' happily-ever-afters, real life doesn't work that
way and neither do the stories of these women. Savannah,
Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin have real women problems, but
like most women out there who consider themselves "real,"
these ladies decide to put on their big-girl panties and
deal with everything life swings their way. Leaning on
their children, exs, extended families, and most of all,
each other, they find that if they want to— if they really
want to- they can push past anything, any pain, and live.
Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin are able to find
comfort, solace, and even smiles in the victory and triumph
they feel when they make it through their most difficult
times. These women tap into acknowledging the good parts of
life. I don't know about most people, but for me,
acknowledging the good parts (not just chasing dreams
of "the good life") IS GETTING TO HAPPY.
An exuberant return to the four unforgettable heroines of
Waiting to Exhale—the novel that changed African American
fiction forever.
Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale was more than just a
bestselling novel-its publication was a watershed moment in
literary history. McMillan's sassy and vibrant story about
four African American women struggling to find love and
their place in the world touched a cultural nerve, inspired
a blockbuster film, and generated a devoted audience.
Now, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and
Robin fifteen years later. Each is at her own midlife
crossroads: Savannah has awakened to the fact that she's
made too many concessions in her marriage, and decides to
face life single again-at fifty-one. Bernadine has watched
her megadivorce settlement dwindle, been swindled by her
husband number two, and conned herself into thinking that a
few pills will help distract her from her pain. Robin has an
all-American case of shopaholism, while the big dream of her
life-to wear a wedding dress- has gone unrealized. And for
years, Gloria has taken happiness and security for granted.
But being at the wrong place at the wrong time can change
everything. All four are learning to heal past hurts and to
reclaim their joy and their dreams; but they return to us
full of spirit, sass, and faith in one another. They've
exhaled: now they are learning to breathe.
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