32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review of 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter

Ernessa T. Carter’s debut novel, 32 Candles is a wonderful ride from the misery and anguish of Davidia (Davie) Jones’ upbringing in Glass, Mississippi to a life – eventually of her own making – in sunny Los Angeles.

Davie is an ugly duckling growing up in small town Mississippi. She’s never known her father and she wishes she didn’t know her mother – a woman who would just as soon beat her senseless as have a conversation with her. Davie is dark-skinned and considered ‘ugly’ by her classmates (and many of the adults who loathe her mother). She is tormented by classmates who call her “Monkey Night.” Growing up, the thing she wishes for most is to just be ‘invisible.’

Davie – who ceases speaking, as a way to truly become invisible – finds escape in her vivid imagination and in a movie that changes her outlook on life – Sixteen Candles. Suddenly she believes that happy endings are possible, even for ugly ducklings like her. The object of Davie’s happy ending obsession is Glass, Mississippi golden boy, handsome football player, James Farrell. Just when Davie thinks that her happy ending might be in reach, a school prank goes way too far. Davie decides she’s had enough. She leaves behind the only life she’s ever known and hitches her way to Los Angeles at the age of fifteen.

The once ‘ugly duckling’ puts her years of practicing Tina Turner songs in the mirror to good use. She reinvents herself as a lounge singer in an up and coming nightclub. She makes a new family with the club owner – Nicky – his aunt, Mama Jane, and the rest of the club’s cast of characters.

Just when Davie is satisfied with her life she runs into her once obsession – James Farrell. It took a lot of years and a Psych degree for Davie to get over her obsession/hatred of James Farrell and his sisters. When he reappears, and doesn’t recognize her, Davie can’t bear to tell him that she was the pitiful Monkey Night from Glass High. But just when it seems that she might be due for a happy ending, the past comes back with a vengeance.

Ernessa Carter’s story of Davie Jones physical and emotional transformation is inspiring, funny, and heartbreaking. After a superb first effort, I look forward to her next novel.

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