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Getting to Happy Audiobook
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(3.27) - 2,112 listener ratings
Publisher Description
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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"What can I say? Bernadine, Savannah, Robin and Gloria have been friends in our heads since "Waiting to Exhale" and the subsequent movie version starring WHitney and co. solidified their places in our hearts (and the black pop culture lexicon). GTH takes place 15 years after the ladies have "exhaled" (circa 2005) where they once again find themselves still searching for that place of peace and satisfaction. McMillan is just pitch perfect here, she has a knack for making engaging female characters we can relate to and we love her for it. GTH was funny, warm and endearing, I almost want her to keep writing about these women! Hey Terry, make a whole series!!"
— Lynecia (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The novel is full of…juicy romantic entanglements, family dysfunction, and high drama.”
— Bookmarks Magazine
Getting to Happy Listener Reviews
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" I read Waiting to Exhale in 7th grade probably a total of 10 times. I loved the story. I waited for over 10 years to be updated on the lives of these ladies. I read this book in one day. I couldn't put it down, I felt as if I was catching up with old friends. I can't wait until a movie comes out, I'm so excited and will know all the words as well!!! "
— Tricia, 2/20/2014 -
" No where near the caliber of How Stella Got Her Groove Back... "
— Mei, 2/17/2014 -
" Nice to know how the girls were doing after so many years! "
— Anne, 2/11/2014 -
" I want to be optimistic.. however, this book is utterly depressing thus far.. im sticking it out because i have liked Toni Morrison as a writer for years and have read all of her books except the anthology.. but with this particular book.. i am NOT impressed..Sorry. can we get to happy already and stop holding our breath..i thought we exhaled years ago.. "
— Summer, 2/6/2014 -
" As a sequel, this was a very disappointing read. Not so happy. "
— Bettye, 1/31/2014 -
" It's been five years since her last book, so I was definitely looking forward to it, and then I found out it was a "Waiting to Exhale" sequel and I was even more excited. But...it was disappointing. I thought her last book was disappointing as well. I think that in some ways she let her characters down. There were definitely times I really liked this book, but there were other times I rolled my eyes. "
— Ally, 1/22/2014 -
" This book was an enjoyable read and great comeback for author Terry McMillan. I have been a fan of Terry McMillan's writing since her first novel, Mama. I've been reading her work since then. I can hardly wait for the Getting to Happy movie! "
— Ivy, 1/10/2014 -
" Great to catch up with Bernadine, Savannah, Gloria, and Robin. "
— Makita, 12/18/2013 -
" Terry McMillan is my favorite author! She has inspired me over the years and I hold my breath until she comes out with a new book each time!!! "
— Carmen, 12/15/2013 -
" While I enjoy/embrace the sisterhood, the whole "Black men ain't sh!t" message is getting so old. To make matters worse, you have a group of women who are now 50 years old and still "finding" themselves and learning to define themselves without men. "
— Sumayyah, 12/12/2013 -
" So far so good I can't wait to see how it all ends "
— Roshanda, 8/7/2013 -
" It was a good read but I was probably hindered by my love for the characters from the last book. If you're a Waiting to Exhale fan, a must read. If you never read the first book, you can skip it. "
— Princess, 7/9/2013 -
" I guess I was never too into the Waiting to Exhale characters because I was underwhelmed by their lives in this book. It was more of the same ridiculousness. The only person who seemed to grow as a person was Robin. And as for Bernadine, forgiving is overrated. "
— Lilli, 5/25/2013 -
" loved it. couldn't put it down. laughed, cried, yelled. T.McMillian never disappoints. "
— Alisa, 12/12/2012 -
" Terry didn't even try with this one. "
— Cariesha, 11/20/2012 -
" Terry should of left well enough alone. This was such a let down from Waiting to Exhale "
— Shirley, 8/25/2012 -
" I loved this book. It gave the WTE book closure. "
— Valerie, 8/4/2012 -
" This book should be read with a frozen, fruity girl drink by your side. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with my friend from "Waiting to Exhale". And I am hoping that there is a third book! "
— Robyn, 8/3/2012 -
" Again, somewhat disappointed. There was just something missing in the character development. "
— Antigo, 1/18/2012 -
" Good read but the ending was disappointing "
— Lativida, 10/7/2011 -
" Well, I was disappointed to find my girls in the situations they were in after 10+ years but I understand why the book is written like it is. I didn't enjoy it like I did the first one, but it's still a good read. "
— Diana, 7/19/2011 -
" I was left wondering what happen to the characters in the story, this is the follow up almost 15 years later, the characters are so real, I embraced each one as my friend, and today they are my Best Friends. Wonderful reading, thank you Terry for your gift. "
— Linda, 6/1/2011 -
" So far I am underwhelmed. I really want to love this book but I am finding it devoid of literary gold. Plot good, style and narration nothing special. I definitely want to see where it goes with the characters but it's kinda bland if believable. "
— Staci, 5/20/2011 -
" It was kind of fun catching up with "the girls" from "Waiting to Exhale." Entertaining. "
— Kate, 5/14/2011 -
" Just so enjoyable. Happy I have my girlfriends too! "
— Deb, 5/14/2011 -
" Teri could have come much better than this. It was all over the place. "
— Deon, 4/27/2011 -
" Loved Terry McMillan in high school and was curious to see how Waiting to Exhale Part 2 went. Not impressed but it was fun. "
— Chalida, 4/13/2011 -
" I expected more--rather than these characters getting to happy with all the whining, woe it's me, the only person I felt getting to happy was me because I was finally done with reading the book. "
— Yasmin, 4/13/2011 -
" felt predictable. Book had typos, wasn't edited well which didn't help. "
— Trevor, 4/6/2011
About Terry McMillan
Terry McMillan is the author of a number of bestselling novels, including is the #1 New York Times bestsellers How Stella Got Her Groove Back and A Day Late and a Dollar Short. Four of her novels have been made into movies: Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Disappearing Acts, and A Day Late and a Dollar Short.
About the Narrators
S. Epatha Merkerson plays the role of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the perennial hit series Law & Order. An Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award winner, Merkerson has won critical acclaim for her brilliant work in theater, television, and film. She is a native of Detroit and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University. She lives in New York City.
Gloria Reuben is an actress, jazz singer, and social activist with an impressive list of credentials in television, film, theater, and music. Many remember her from the hit NBC series ER, whose groundbreaking role garnered her two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Since then, she has had multiple starring roles in a variety of other television series and movies.
LaChanze is a Tony Award–winning actress and audiobook narrator.