In 1986, at the age of 36, Gwendolyn M. Parker courageously abandoned an exceptionally successful career as an international tax attorney and marketing manager on Wall Street to pursue her true passion - writing. Since then, she has published two novels, the first, "These Same Long Bones", is fictional, and the second, "Trespassing: My Sojourn in the Halls of Privilege", is autobiographical, and was published in 1997. The Detroit SWE Book Club chose to read the later of the two in September 2000.
In this novel, Ms. Parker writes eloquently of the experiences that shaped and colored her professional life prior to becoming a writer. Clearly, she had to overcome many obstacles as a black woman in order to achieve what, by any standards, was extraordinary success. And yet, she neither complains nor brags - both of which could easily be justified. Instead, Ms. Parker simply tells her story with candor and dignity, judiciously selecting poignant anecdotes, allowing the readers to draw their own conclusions. Although she does not presume to speak for either blacks or women, or any other group, Ms. Parker's story is none-the-less as illuminating as it is fascinating.
The 209-page book is divided into 6 chapters arranged chronologically. She starts with her upbringing in a wealthy black family in a segregated community in North Carolina. Then, she recalls the culture shock when they moved to the North. Next, she describes her years in a private boarding school as one of only two black girls - although it took her a few months to identify who the other black girl was. The fourth chapter highlights her years at Harvard during the "counter-culture" 60's, where she didn't feel completely accepted by either the Hippy or the Black Power movements. In the fifth Chapter, she reveals the appalling conditions at her law firm, which was unabashedly governed by the "good old boys network". Finally, in the last chapter, Ms. Parker recounts her steep ascent to the executive offices at American Express.
In summary, Ms. Parker is an exceptionally good writer, with a remarkable story to tell. I was left inspired by her courage and determination, and in admiration of her wit and integrity. Although some members of the Bookclub felt that a lack of history of race relations in America left some questions unanswered, the reviewer gives the book 5 stars out of 5.