Introducing Sweet Lavender by Terry a O'Neal



Synopsis:

Rae Lynne Jonston was only five years old when her beloved father walked out of her life, leaving her mother to raise his love child. As she got older, the only place Rae Lynne could find peace was in the sweet lavender patch near her house. Could the one thing that offers her salvation be the very thing that tears her world apart?

Follow this moving story as Rae Lynne walks us through this twelve year journey of life’s astounding reality in Sweet Lavender. O’Neal’s exceptionally charming story will take your heart for an unforgettable ride of shocking pain, uplifting joy, bitter loss, and ultimately resting at peace.

In the past I have used books by Chinua Achebe, Divakaruni, Tsitsi Dangarembga as set books in some of my writing courses. For Spring 2009, I am using Terry O'Neal's Sweet Lavender in my Diop Scholars' English 300: College Composition. We start the discussion of the book tomorrow, and I am eager to hear what the students have to say about it so far.

The Diop Scholars Program has an African American emphasis. In addition to reading books on college composition, the class also reads an anthology of essays about the African-American experience and a novel, in this case Sweet Lavender. Already the students are attuned to the history of people of African descent, the importance of family, community, religion and a diverse range of other topics that inspire them to excel in education. Indeed, Sweet Lavender promises to be an "exceptionally charming story [which] will take [the students'] hearts for an unforgettable ride...."



Terry O'Neal was born and raised in Stockton, California, and currently resides in Sacramento with her husband and three children. She will be making appearances in the class to discuss her writing and answer student questions.

Discussion Questions for Chapter 1:

1. Explain the significance of the chapter's title, "A Gift from Daddy."

2. What do you think about the narrator so far? Is this point of view effective in helping you understand and appreciate the story?

3. In this chapter O'Neal highlights a daughter's love for her father, even as she retells the story of the family's disintegration. How does this relationship enhance your understanding of the theme of fatherhood in the African American community?

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