Friends: A Love Story [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

From the moment I picked up this book, I was captivated by the lives of these two actors who's work that I have admired for many, many years. This book not only documents the growth of their friendship and love but it also documents their individual struggles from childhood to adulthood.

As children growing up in the 60's era, they were raised in a time when the civil rights of the minorities were being shouted and, eventually, heard. And the melting pot of cultures was beginning to be brought together and coexist as one--as it should be. The world as it once was in the midst of change as young Angela and Courtney began their journeys. Unbeknownst to both of them, their childhood experiences, Courtney's adventurous persona and Angela's vibrancy, would pave the way for the wonderment that we all experience as we have seen them (and continue to see them) show off their acting gumption.

Although their life stories were tales of growth, family and spirituality, their stories were not always filled with joyous moments. The novel brings us into the personal family turmoil and gut wrenching tragedies that would make anyone break and give up--I think that any reader would feel fortunate to that Angela and Courtney shared their personal stories from their past to serve as a life lesson to those who continue to struggle...where there is a will, there is a way within any circumstances...one can overcome, in time.

What I found pleasantly intriguing was how these two fascinating people kept "bumping" into each other at different points in their lives...as college students...as young budding actors.....as established actors. Maybe what they say is true--sometime we meet people who are our match but timing is EVERYTHING! When they finally hooked up, it was like seeing a mirror of my relationship and other relationships minus the acting careers, of course. You have the "oh-so-romantic-lovey-dovey" phase then it moves to "hmmm-I-think-this-person-could-be-the-one" phase then it moves to "hey-u-wanna-see-my-face-4-the-rest-of-our-lives?" phase...then the big day and you are now man and wife this is where the hard work of a relationship begins (so I'm told). Courtney and Angela gives the reader a close look on how they became one. Before reading this book, I am the first to say that two people cannot become one in a relationship--how the heck can that be when you have two different/somewhat different personalities, goals, dreams, needs, wants, etc.? Well what is really meant by the "two become one" motto of a marriage (from what I gather from this book) is that its not that two people somehow morph into one person, one mind but it's the spiritual souls that really become one. I was just floored at how they broke it down--their journey to understanding and continually to understand that its not "me, myself and I" in this thing called marriage with this other person but its growing together spiritually, learning how to read each other and understand one another, especially in live changing experiences as bringing a child into the world.

What I learned from this life story was that love is not all roses and butterflies but it can be most of the time if you take the time and believe and trust in one another and, most importantly strengthen your spiritual bonds.

I strongly and highly recommend picking up this book--it doesn't matter if you are single, married, divorced, whatever...

~Peace~

APOOO Rating: 3.5

Friends: A Love Story by Angela Bassett and Courtney B Vance was a story of unexpected love. What would you do if your love was right there the whole time? Told in alternating voices/chapters, we hear Angela's as well as Courtney's point-of-view of how their love blossomed. It shows how their lives were parallel and how their paths kept crossing, yet they were living separate lives.

We are taken to the beginning in their childhoods, which were drastically different. Angela explains her closeness to her mother. We hear about the tragedies that happened with some of her mother's boyfriends. Situations that ranged from molestation to abuse. Courtney speaks about his father; how dedicated he was to making sure that his son had all the opportunities possible for an education. With the strength of their families, they both attended Harvard and Yale. They ran in the same circles and followed each other's careers.

This is an inside look into a relationship built on Christ and a love meant to be. You can read about how they dealt with each other's fame and their struggle to keep their relationship grounded and real. It is so true to the title. First they were friends and then they were lovers. It was a little rough with the writing style, but once I got past that, I was so involved in their story that I did not realize that I had gone through all 400 pages just like that! :o)

Donnica Copeland

APOOO BookClub

I enjoyed reading this book. It's good to see Black celebrity couples in love. It's rare to hear about these love stories in the media. I read one of the comments about how Angela Bassett used a lot of curse words when she described her life and career. I could careless if she did or didn't. I appreciate the fact that she kept it real about her self. It's her story and she saw fit to get down to the nitty gritty of what's happening, then so be it. I appreciated the realness and warmth of her story. I also appreciated the same from her husband Courtney Vance, which were the qualities that brought the two together.