Review: Forbidden

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eddy Carmichael, 27 years old traveling from Denver to California to fulfill her dream of becoming a restaurant owner. Eddy was robbed and toss out into the desert only to be saved by Rhine Fontaine, rich, attractive, and passing as white. Rhine nursed Eddy back to health with the help of Boarding house owner Sylvia, only to develop an undeniable attraction to Eddy that he could not control.

Rhine was once a slave, his father a slave owner and mother an African Queen. When he was a young boy, he discovered that he could pass as white and once he moved on from his life on the plantation, he lived his life as a white man, giving him the opportunity and freedom of a better life, but to also the ability to help his people. This story made me think of the book "Passing", by Nella Larsen. So many Blacks that could pass as white would take advantage of a free and privileged life, yet they would have to deny their families and ancestry. In Ryan's case, there were some downfalls for passing as white. Ryan came to the realization after he lost the ability to adopt the boys in the orphanage. Being white he was unable to adopt black children. But the thought of losing Eddy due to interracial marriages being outlawed made him abdicate his whiteness to the town and from there life for Rhine changed. However, I was surprised there was not more or severe backlash from the white community after his announcement. But, due to certain stimulations, the community was at a standstill from severe retaliation, due to Rhine’s wealth and partnered ownership with his white brother within the community.

What I found interesting is how the whites had no clue he was black, I think some may have thought, but because of his money and status, there was no doubt in their minds that he was white. Yet, Sylvia and Doc had made a bet on its years ago. With Rhine doing so much for the black community unlike the whites, Sylvia figured he was passing. Rhine was originally engaged to Natalie, who was the daughter of a family of political importance in the community. After realizing he was in love with Eddy and Natalie was not a match for him, he called off the wedding. But, once, Rhine denounced his whiteness, Natalie went nuts and attacked Eddy, blaming her for Rhine’s actions. It seemed Eddy would have been more outraged than what she was, instead she was forgiving of Natalie. I believe Natalie was more taken back by Rhine being Black then she was of him calling off the wedding. I found the story to be intriguing and a good read. I do recommend this book. I gave it a 5 out of 5 Stars.

My choice of casting:

 Kevin Stranart as Rhine
 Bisserat Tseggai as Eddy
 Octavia Spencer as Sylvia
 Courtney Vance as Doc

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