Conception: A Novel

I updated you all a few days ago that I would be digging deep down in my TBR pile and pulling out some jewels. Conception is the first of my random choices. This book has been in my possession for approximately two years and so I decided it would be the first to escape the pile.

“Planning pregnancy was for white women…(pg 12)”

Buckhanon has put together a coming of age story that is set in 1992 inner city Chicago. The odds seem to be stacked against fifteen year old Shivana who is growing up with her mother in an apartment complex that she describes as “not quite” the projects. Shivana and her mother have the normal rebellious teenager, protective mother relationship. Their already rocky relationship really takes a turn for the show more worse when Shivana gets pregnant by an older married man. The shining light in Shivana’s life is her mother’s baby sister Jewel. Jewel is a well traveled free spirit that enjoys life. Jewel gives Shivana the love and practical advice that she longs for from her mother. Annette, Shivana’s mother, is a bitter woman stuck in a rut that can’t push past her past hurts. While Shivana frantically tries to deal with her pregnancy, while only sharing the news with her best friend Natasha, a new piece is added to this puzzle named, Rasul. Rasul was a breath of fresh air to this whole story. Rasul is this lanky, splotchy faced, seemingly unwanted nineteen year old that is also gentle, kind, and full of wisdom.

“…because birth always brings the consequences of confusion, sadness, disappointment, then death. (pg 1)”

The twist to this entire novel is that there was a second voice which was that of the Shivana’s unborn child. This addition really makes the story confusing at times. This child is a soul that has never been “anchored” to any of the women that have previously conceived it. The stories of these women that dated back to slavery were quite interesting. I got so wrapped up in these stories that there were moments I hated to go back to the main narrative. The main narrative was kind of bland compared to the “richness” of these stories.

I believe I would have enjoyed a collection of short stories with the theme of “conception” more so than the back and forth of this novel. The ending was abrupt and it also felt rushed. I just wish there was more depth to the main narrative. show less

Poor Shiviana. Poor, black and 15 years old living in the Chicago projects in the early 90s. She gets pregnant by a married husband of the children she watches, and then proceeds to think about whether to keep the baby for a number of months. To be honest, I skipped over the extended pages from the "baby's" perspective. Not as forceful or as well written as her first book. A little too preachy.

An excellent book, but uncomfortably toeing an anti-abortion stance. I love Savannah, and root for her hopes for a better life.

Took a little while for me to really get into it, but overall it wasn't too bad..but I wouldn't recommend it.