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The Real Deal
by Margaret Johnson-Hodge

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Edition: Mass Market Paperback


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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.76 x 6.74 x 4.21
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; (March 1998)
• ISBN: 0312964889
  
• Average Customer Review: Based on 42 reviews. Write a review.
  
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: 64,550
  (Publishers and authors: improve your sales)

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The road to love is rarely smooth, and Jon and Samone's journey is no exception--it's probably even a bit bumpier than most. As much as she enjoys Jon's company she's reluctant to give her heart to him, fearing further emotional involvement and her family's reaction to her dating a white man. But when Jon mentions he is seeing someone else Samone realizes how much she really wants him in her life no matter what anyone else thinks. Sexy, funny, and frank, The Real Deal explores not only the intricacies of an interracial relationship but also details the struggle of a sensitive, vulnerable woman desperately seeking love. All women, regardless of color, will identify with Samone's struggle to recover from her difficult breakup with Max and her reluctance to give her heart yet again. Johnson-Hodge has written a profound first novel, creating characters that ring with authenticity and interest. This is a very literate, compelling read and highly recommended. --Maudeen Wachsmith


From Publishers Weekly
For Johnson-Hodge, the "real deal" is real life: no fairy-tale endings and no getting rescued by the hero for a trip to Never-Never-Land, especially if the heroine is "a sista from Harlem" and the hero "a silly-ass white boy." The story of Samone Lewis, an African American personnel manager at a broadcasting company, and Jonathon Everette, a white TV producer from Malibu, Calif., is new territory in many ways. First of all, it's a grittier reality: Samone decides to have an abortion, something... read more

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Mediocre, September 17, 2003

Reviewer: A reader from PA, USA

It's been a month since I read this book, and reading the other reviews inspired me to write one myself. The book, at best, was fair. Hodge tells a story, I'll give her that, but the writing style is uninteresting. The style reminded of someone who writes the way they speak around their friends, etc. In some fiction it works, but not in this one.

The only likable character I'm afraid was Jon. I found Samone and Max to be annoying. It's a typical story where the character gives this guise of the "Independent Black Woman," but desperately clings on to the dream of marrying an equally if not more sucessful Black man who doesn't have the same feelings, regardless of how long they've been together, then has to pull some kind of plot or scheme that leaves everyone emotionally hurt in the long run just to keep him. Thinking back on this I wonder if she really loved him, or why she loved him? Because he's a successful Black man, financially secure, good looks; well dressed? It seems as if this is turning into the cliche of the genre of Black writing that 's sometimes known as "girlfriend" or "go girl" stories. Maybe it's me, but female characters of this ilk, though they appear to have it together, display a lot of pettiness for their age. Samone may be in her mid-thirties, but she might as well be 19. You can throw a rock at a roomful of books of this genre and find a Samone-like character. Where are the the intelligent, honest and mature characters with good heads on their shoulders?

Some reviewers complained about how Samone treated Jon. True, it was shameful at times, but not surprising. Given Samone's upbringing and past, it's natural for her to act this way. Who knows if she ever even had a white friend let alone a significant other before then? If Hodge wrote the character as a person who wasn't hung up on race, the treatment would definitely be different. I felt sorry for Jon at times, but I had to sigh in disappointment also because he just kept coming back for more.

I stopped reading this book for a few weeks because all of the components caused me to put it down. I finished it later for finishing sake. If you like this kind of genre, buy a used copy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Where Do I Begin?, January 8, 1999

Reviewer: Web_systa@hotmail.com from Raleigh, North Carolina

Sure the book centers around an interracial relationship but the underlying theme of love is so strong I lost the sense of any racial differences between Samone and Jonathon until the instances where the story made me aware of it. Isn't that what love is supposed to be like? Ms. Johnson-Hodge wraps a wonderful story around the main characters. The strength Samone exemplifies was felt deep in my bones as I read this woman's story. Samone felt like either an old college friend or a part of me I had forgotten. I absolutely LOVED the story and could not put the book down. It was well worth the lost sleep! The day after finishing it, I purchased a copy for my best friend. I enjoyed it so much I have placed this book on my "Definitely Read Again" list.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

All Woman, May 8, 2003

Reviewer: A reader from houston, Tx

I'm a bit surprised at the previous reviews labeling Samone as selfish. Come on ladies, if you've been with a guy four years wouldn't you be seeking a ring any day? And as far as abortion goes then every woman who undergoes one should be considered selfish. I can't fault Samone for not wanting to have a baby with a man who didn't love her. If anything, Max was the selfish one. Samone just needed a self-esteem boost is all. And yes, she strung Jon along but I can understand with interracial dating being new to her. She wanted him but wanted to tread carefully. I'm a little bit disappointed all in all because I thought this book would give a more in-depth look at Max and Samone's relationship. (I read a New Day first). I personally think the sequel is much better.

Talk about selfish., March 31, 2003

Reviewer: typerk (see more about me) from Garland, TX United States

Ladies if you "don't need no man" read this manual on how to keep men far away from you, and you will never have a man. The main character was so selfish that I wondered if the author was serious. She made her out to be some wronged woman because she couldn't get a man to agree to a marriage. She was the most selfish character I can ever remember reading.

I just got put on to this author and have started ordering her whole catalouge. I love the way she writes and can't wait to read the rest of her books. Although I hated the main character it wasn't because of the writing. Very entertaining book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

This book was just O.K., September 18, 2002

Reviewer: Dana Yvette Banks (see more about me) from new york, new york

I didn't like the main female character in this book very much. She came off as selfish and self-absorbed. It was all about her and I'm surprised the main male character didn't leave her in the 5th or 6th chapter. She had no positive characteristics. She treated the main male character very bad. She was so vain, I'm surprised she had the strength to hold her own head up! She was so totally superficial that I found myself wishing I would "meet her on the street," so I could put some sense into her. The book was just O.K. and certainly NOT a book I would read again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Brava...., September 16, 2001

Reviewer: Karla Barefield (see more about me) from Jersey

I started backwards. For all you avid readers out there every single one of MJH's book are sequel's. This (The Real Deal) being the first book. The sequel to this is 'A New Day'. 'Butterscotch Blues' is the prequel to 'Some Sunday' (for those of you who didn't know that are not true avid readers). I read 'Warm Hands' before reading this and absolutely loved it. The characters come together nicely but it is evident that this is her first book. Her works to follow definately blow this one out of the water. And when I realized that this was a prequel to 'A New Day' it made the novel more interesting; you get the feeling that another story is going on at the same time. Brava Ms/Mrs Hodge, I anxiously await your next work!

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