Bebe Moore Campbell is a New York Times best-selling author and an NAACP Image award winner. In What You Owe Me, an epic tale of friendship, betrayal, loss, accountability, and healing, she spans 50 years of African-American history. New to Los Angeles, Hosanna Clark, a farm worker from Texas, befriends Holocaust survivor Gilda Rosenstein. Together they build a cosmetics company and a deep friendship. Then Gilda disappears, taking with her the company's assets. The loss leaves Hosanna financially ruined and emotionally damaged. Years later, after her death, Hosanna's daughter will look to collect the debt Gilda owes. In addition to her novels, Bebe Moore Campbell is the author of several nonfiction books including Successful Women, Angry Men, which explores the changing dynamics within families. Narrator Caroline Clay masterfully takes us through the heartaches and the victories of this emotional journey.
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"This book was wonderful. I true tale of retribution, bringing closure to a vendetta that surpassed death. This book was a social peek into the past lives of a southern black woman and a holocaust survivor going into business during a time when black-white relations were not too common, and the hardship that betrayal can imprint in loved ones lives."
— Tamika (4 out of 5 stars)
" I found this at my office kitchen library. I have been reading popular fiction and really loving how these authors use these vehicles to tell our histories. I liked it. "
— Nadine, 2/20/2014" All I can say is, "Wow!" Well developed characters and a well written story. "
— Tonya, 2/16/2014" On OK read with a few too many characters and too many situations. I don't know why some of them weren't edited out! "
— Edi, 2/16/2014" One of my favorite authors -I loved the way she thought about and talked about race relations in America. I wish she could have lived long enough to discuss race relations and the election of President Obama. "
— Sonya, 2/15/2014" I wish I could get my money back for this one. It was horrible! "
— Amarie0081, 2/9/2014" This is a total chick book that I still got into (that's how good it is). It's long, and it has a lot of characters, but it intertwines them very well. It all comes together, sometimes predictably and sometimes not. "
— Shawn, 1/20/2014" great book. very thought provoking. What would our world be like today if we hadn't had slavery? What if African American were simply immigrants ?????????????????? "
— Michelle, 1/18/2014" Very good story of misunderstanding and self growth. Quite long but a well developed story. Read in 1 day. "
— Angela, 1/8/2014" Very intersting story. "
— Diane, 12/29/2013" This one might start off a little slow but don't be fooled - it's a gem! Campbell is so descriptive and I loved the evolution of relationships in this story. It was also a bit of a tear jerker for me, which always is a sure sign of a great book, in my opinion. "
— Vicky, 12/6/2013" This book, and the author, is timeless. "
— Yvonne, 10/4/2013" so well-written. captivating story. very rich. I think she might be my favoite author of all time--she is so incredibly gifted at writing in different voices, different eras, creating characters and stories with incredibly depth. "
— Nazish, 9/28/2013" The story of an African American woman and a German woman - a Holocaust survivor - who go into the cosmetic business together. "
— Rebecca, 9/10/2013" a very poignant, touching novel. It was sad how the prejudice of a few people kept 2 friends from accomplishing the dream they set out to do together. Learned a few things about the history of my own people as well. "
— Lawrence, 5/15/2013" bebe moore campbell, it seems to me, has written better books that this. "
— Jo, 4/21/2013" I got on a Bebe Moore Campbell kick last year and read all of her books in rapid succession. This was my favorite. "
— Katie, 4/10/2013" I haven't finished the book "
— Sika, 4/8/2013" would have liked it more if i could have concentrated (family in town; days go by without reading). long, resolution came rather suddenly at the very end. but a good story. might read some of the author's other works. "
— Angie, 11/19/2012" Sorry to say I only got through about 3/4 of the book before life got in the way of reading time. I did enjoy it, but now I'm on a bit of a cliff. I plan to pick it back up. "
— Teffany, 10/17/2012" This is a sprawling book that covers so many years and the intricately entwined lives of many characters. I greatly appreciated the voice and the pace of this book. "
— Kathryn, 3/19/2012" Very Interesting, kind of slow, but very interesting "
— Argnese, 2/11/2012" This book was far from a page turner. Has wonderful lessons for people starting a business. "
— Vb, 11/22/2011" I remember this book having disturbing anti-semitic undertones, that bothered me because they had a ring of truth to them. That said, I remember it being a good book. "
— Rachel, 4/24/2011" Very sad, so glad people are, for the most part, not affected by one another this way anymore. "
— Maureen, 2/4/2011" I think this was a great book. I would definitely read it again. "
— Kerry-ann, 1/27/2011" would have liked it more if i could have concentrated (family in town; days go by without reading). long, resolution came rather suddenly at the very end. but a good story. might read some of the author's other works. "
— Angie, 1/16/2011" All I can say is, "Wow!" Well developed characters and a well written story. "
— Tonya, 7/12/2010" Very good story of misunderstanding and self growth. Quite long but a well developed story. Read in 1 day. "
— Angela, 6/2/2009" This one might start off a little slow but don't be fooled - it's a gem! Campbell is so descriptive and I loved the evolution of relationships in this story. It was also a bit of a tear jerker for me, which always is a sure sign of a great book, in my opinion. "
— Vicky, 5/20/2009" I remember this book having disturbing anti-semitic undertones, that bothered me because they had a ring of truth to them. That said, I remember it being a good book. "
— Rachel, 4/10/2009" Very sad, so glad people are, for the most part, not affected by one another this way anymore. "
— Maureen, 12/10/2008" great book. very thought provoking. What would our world be like today if we hadn't had slavery? What if African American were simply immigrants ?????????????????? "
— Michelle, 11/23/2008" bebe moore campbell, it seems to me, has written better books that this. "
— Jo, 10/18/2008" This book is really well written. Among Bebe Moore Campbell's best. It will really make you mad but the protaganist receives sweet justice in the end! "
— Alretha, 9/28/2008" I wish I could get my money back for this one. It was horrible! "
— Amarie0081, 7/14/2008" Very Interesting, kind of slow, but very interesting "
— Argnese, 5/25/2008" On OK read with a few too many characters and too many situations. I don't know why some of them weren't edited out! "
— Edi, 2/24/2008" I found this at my office kitchen library. I have been reading popular fiction and really loving how these authors use these vehicles to tell our histories. I liked it. "
— Nadine, 2/21/2008Pamella D‘Pella is an American actress, singer-songwriter, photographer, and dancer. Pamella is recognized for her extensive acting career, most notably for her years spent as “Julia” in the long running soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Caroline Clay is a film, television, and voice actress. Her acting credits include appearances on The Message Board, Law & Order, and All My Children. She has also narrated several audiobooks, such as A Wicked War by Amy S. Greenberg, Player Hater by Carl Weber, Casting the First Stone by Kimberla Lawson Roby, and What You Owe Me by Bebe Moore Campbell.