whitneydaniell

by: Terry McMillan
published: May 28, 1992
genre: Romance, Contemporary
02:49 (HH:SS), Abridged Audiobook from Audible
GoodReads Link

Throughout my childhood, young adulthood, and now in full-fledged adulthood, I’ve longed for the film adaptation of “Waiting to Exhale.” Since rekindling my love for reading, I set my sights on experiencing the novel firsthand, as books often offer more depth than their cinematic counterparts. Regrettably, the Audible version I found is abridged. Despite gaining some context, I’ve committed to ordering the full book when I’m back to buying physical copies. I took a chance with Audible to utilize my surplus of credits before diving into new book purchases.

Now, let’s delve into each character based on the abridged audiobook.

Bernadine, 36, undergoes a seismic shift at the story’s outset. Her husband of 11 years drops the bombshell—he wants a divorce to marry his much younger, white bookkeeper. Bernie, who had devoted herself to her family and work, now faces the daunting reality of being a single mother, urgently needing to secure a roof over their heads.

Savannah, also 36, wearies of the men in Denver and relocates to Phoenix, where her friend Bernadine resides, hoping for better luck. Much like the movie version, Savannah stands out as the woman who knows herself and her desires. Unlike the others, she avoids settling, maintaining contentment with boundaries, focusing on her career, and caring for her mother. Savannah emerges as a steadfast friend, offering sound advice whenever needed.

Gloria, 38, initially startled me with the stark language used to describe her physique—terms like “fat” and “overweight” were disconcertingly blunt. However, Gloria, a devoted single mother, immerses herself in raising her 17-year-old son and growing her business, with no apparent room for a man in her life. The narrative hints at Gloria’s self-perception, and it evokes sadness, particularly in contrast to the empowering portrayal in the film adaptation.

Robin, 29, left me somewhat speechless in this abridged version. While she’s portrayed as dense in the film, the limited glimpse in this adaptation left me wanting more before passing judgment. Robin, with her singular focus on “pretty boys with big dicks,” comes across as the original DeLulu DeDemmy.

This abridged version runs for only 2 hours. If you haven’t read the book and have a few dollars for Audible, it’s worth checking out. It makes for a good listen during chores or a long drive. I’ll update this review once I get my hands on the full book.