On the Rooftop: A Reese's Book Club Pick
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A Reese's Book Club Pick
"An utterly original and brilliant story." -Reese Witherspoon
A stunning novel about a mother whose dream of musical stardom for her three daughters collides with the daughters' ambitions for their own lives--set against the backdrop of gentrifying 1950s San Francisco
At home they are just sisters, but on stage, they are The Salvations. Ruth, Esther, and Chloe have been singing and dancing in harmony since they could speak. Thanks to the rigorous direction of their mother, Vivian, they've become a bona fide girl group whose shows are the talk of the Jazz-era Fillmore.
Now Vivian has scored a once-in-a-lifetime offer from a talent manager, who promises to catapult The Salvations into the national spotlight. Vivian knows this is the big break she's been praying for. But sometime between the hours of rehearsal on their rooftop and the weekly gigs at the Champagne Supper Club, the girls have become women, women with dreams that their mother cannot imagine.
The neighborhood is changing, too: all around the Fillmore, white men in suits are approaching Black property owners with offers. One sister finds herself called to fight back, one falls into the comfort of an old relationship, another yearns to make her own voice heard. And Vivian, who has always maintained control, will have to confront the parts of her life that threaten to splinter: the community, The Salvations, and even her family.
Warm, gripping, and wise, with echoes of Fiddler on the Roof, Margaret Wilkerson Sexton's latest novel is a moving family portrait from "a writer of uncommon nerve and talent" (New York Times Book Review).
Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780063139954
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
- Publisher
- Ecco Press
- Published Date
- September 5, 2023
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 304
- Physical Info
- 0.72 in H x 7.99 in L x 5.34 in W (0.5 lb)
Could not read the book. Everywhere there should be an apostrophe there is a weird collection of symbols
Could not read the book. Everywhere there should be an apostrophe there is a weird collection of symbols
A solid and enthralling read that summons dreams deferred, sisterhood, motherhood and community. A sister trio singing group under the vigilance and tutelage of a driven single mother, each find their paths in the wake of gentrification and social unrest.
A solid and enthralling read that summons dreams deferred, sisterhood, motherhood and community. A sister trio singing group under the vigilance and tutelage of a driven single mother, each find their paths in the wake of gentrification and social unrest.
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What if your dream is for someone else? Parents can make their dream into their child’s dream without the child wanting it, because mama knows best, right? I’m glad the book ended with the mom, Vivian understanding it was a dream for her too.One complaint, every time the characters put on their pantyhose I’d get distracted. Pantyhose? I remember when pantyhose was widely available because I was a 13 year old who went from knee socks to stockings and garter belts, then soon after pantyhose hose! So I googled it. Pantyhose were invented in 1959, well after the story’s start date of 1953. It’s a minor anachronism but it made me mistrust the rest of the setting. However, it did not negate the power of family!Could there be a sequel coming?
What if your dream is for someone else? Parents can make their dream into their child’s dream without the child wanting it, because mama knows best, right? I’m glad the book ended with the mom, Vivian understanding it was a dream for her too.One complaint, every time the characters put on their pantyhose I’d get distracted. Pantyhose? I remember when pantyhose was widely available because I was a 13 year old who went from knee socks to stockings and garter belts, then soon after pantyhose hose! So I googled it. Pantyhose were invented in 1959, well after the story’s start date of 1953. It’s a minor anachronism but it made me mistrust the rest of the setting. However, it did not negate the power of family!Could there be a sequel coming?
Honestly, the book was okay. I read it for bookclub and wasn’t upset by it but also it wasn’t the greatest. I’d be willing to give it another chance though.
Honestly, the book was okay. I read it for bookclub and wasn’t upset by it but also it wasn’t the greatest. I’d be willing to give it another chance though.
On the Rooftop: A Reese's Book Club Pick Is a good read and has a beautiful cover. This book by Margaret Sexton Wilkerson will be a great book to pass on to my friends to read. And at our next coffee get together a good book to discuss. Reese did it again and picked a reading winner.
On the Rooftop: A Reese's Book Club Pick Is a good read and has a beautiful cover. This book by Margaret Sexton Wilkerson will be a great book to pass on to my friends to read. And at our next coffee get together a good book to discuss. Reese did it again and picked a reading winner.
This was a good story, but it didn’t resonate with me. I wanted to know what would happen next, and felt a little bit cheated at the end.
This was a good story, but it didn’t resonate with me. I wanted to know what would happen next, and felt a little bit cheated at the end.
Meh. I slogged through 65 pages and got tired of seeing historically-inaccurate writing. I understand the author is a LOT younger than I am, but some attention to detail is really lacking and distracting. I’m not going to bother with any more of this because life is too short to waste time trying to get through bad books.
Meh. I slogged through 65 pages and got tired of seeing historically-inaccurate writing. I understand the author is a LOT younger than I am, but some attention to detail is really lacking and distracting. I’m not going to bother with any more of this because life is too short to waste time trying to get through bad books.
The characters were alive. The plot engaged with twists, disappointments, struggle, success, gender, racism, love, heartbreak and hope. A memorable story. Yes, highly recommended!
The characters were alive. The plot engaged with twists, disappointments, struggle, success, gender, racism, love, heartbreak and hope. A memorable story. Yes, highly recommended!
I enjoyed the book, On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson. The story took place in 1953 in San Francisco after many had to flee Louisiana and the lack of opportunities there. The book is about an overprotective mother, Vivian, who raised three daughters, Ruth Esther and Chloe after her husband’s death in Louisiana.Vivian basically lived her life through her daughters until they became grown and chose different paths for themselves. The mother managed her daughters and was instrumental in the design of every aspect of their dance moves and outfits. The group was called the Salvations. They performed at most of the black supper clubs in their area and became well known. They were obviously the best girl group in the area. They were also performing in the midst of big names from the 50s and 60s.Sadly, Vivian’s family and her entire neighborhood were dealing with people who were trying to take over their black community and using the power of eminent domain. Surprisingly one of the sons of the white men who were trying to force families to sell their homes fell in love with one of Vivian’s daughters. Each of the daughters developed a relationship with a man that took them in different directions. Vivian admired their local pastor and fell in love with him after years of mourning her husband.There were no real surprises in the book, but it was an easy read.
I enjoyed the book, On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson. The story took place in 1953 in San Francisco after many had to flee Louisiana and the lack of opportunities there. The book is about an overprotective mother, Vivian, who raised three daughters, Ruth Esther and Chloe after her husband’s death in Louisiana.Vivian basically lived her life through her daughters until they became grown and chose different paths for themselves. The mother managed her daughters and was instrumental in the design of every aspect of their dance moves and outfits. The group was called the Salvations. They performed at most of the black supper clubs in their area and became well known. They were obviously the best girl group in the area. They were also performing in the midst of big names from the 50s and 60s.Sadly, Vivian’s family and her entire neighborhood were dealing with people who were trying to take over their black community and using the power of eminent domain. Surprisingly one of the sons of the white men who were trying to force families to sell their homes fell in love with one of Vivian’s daughters. Each of the daughters developed a relationship with a man that took them in different directions. Vivian admired their local pastor and fell in love with him after years of mourning her husband.There were no real surprises in the book, but it was an easy read.
This book is such a gem. It’s so rich and filled touches on issues such as generational, societal, gender, and race. It’s a beautiful coming of age story of so many of the characters-I highly recommended. I look forward to reading more from this author!
This book is such a gem. It’s so rich and filled touches on issues such as generational, societal, gender, and race. It’s a beautiful coming of age story of so many of the characters-I highly recommended. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I kept waiting for something that wasn’t predictable. I agree with others who commented about the lack of connection to the characters and the lack of depth to the story.
I kept waiting for something that wasn’t predictable. I agree with others who commented about the lack of connection to the characters and the lack of depth to the story.
This book was fine. A little slow and not a page turner. I appreciated the different point of views and the time period. The ending was a little lackluster for me.
This book was fine. A little slow and not a page turner. I appreciated the different point of views and the time period. The ending was a little lackluster for me.
I bought and read this book because of a book club. While it dies have some interesting history woven into it, it is the most boring, anti-climatic book I have read in a very, very long time. Seriously, it was laborious to read to the end. I never get rid of or donate books, however, this one is in my donation box. Find another title to read.
I bought and read this book because of a book club. While it dies have some interesting history woven into it, it is the most boring, anti-climatic book I have read in a very, very long time. Seriously, it was laborious to read to the end. I never get rid of or donate books, however, this one is in my donation box. Find another title to read.
I enjoyed the first part of this book, then I got really bored with it. The story was cute, but just not enough to hold my attention.
I enjoyed the first part of this book, then I got really bored with it. The story was cute, but just not enough to hold my attention.
