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Strawberry Mansion Series #2
Begonia Brown: A Philadelphia Story
Begonia's carefree world has been turned upside down. Forced to become the head of her household she has to trade her paintbrush in for a switchblade, and her love of art into a love affair with the hood. Lying, stealing, and turning tricks, Begonia will do any and everything she can to protect her sisters from the ugliness of the world. However, it just isn't enough... When her younger sister Violet, desperate to escape the hell her life has become is seduced by an up and coming Corner boy, and their baby sister Daisy is riddled with disease that could be fatal if not cared for, Begonia is caught between the hard knocks of the streets and the nightmare of her home life. From the critically acclaimed author of Strawberry Mansion comes the tale of Begonia Brown. Raised in the unforgiving streets of North Philadelphia, Begonia Brown is undoubtedly a product of her environment, young, ruthless, and criminally minded.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 3, 2012
A freebie on my Kindle, I read this book in one day. I hadn't realized it was a series or what the exact premise of the story was when I downloaded it. I believe it's a realistic view of poor, down-troddeen neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. It was a brutal yet sad tale of a young woman who would do anything to save her family from the harsh environment that they were born into. I guess if I continue to read the series (which I won't) I would gain a better understanding of the writer's portrayal of Begonia and her family's struggles with drug addiction, abandonment and prostitution.
March 20, 2011
BEGONIA BROWN � A PHILADELPHIA STORY
by
Julia Press Simmons
Growing up in a place called Strawberry Mansion fosters the impression of comfort. The naming of daughters after the flowers in a garden, Violet, Daisy, and Begonia, further encourages that image. But we quickly learn in Julia’s latest book Begonia Brown—A Philadelphia Story, that pretty names do not assure a pretty life.
The mean streets of North Philadelphia harbor a harsh existence, especially for the young, and especially for young women. After the death of a caring Grandmother, Begonia has to learn to survive in the harsh world of homelessness, drugs, and violence. Using the unorthodox means of a hustler, this intelligent young woman does just that—she survives. The price she pays for her fortitude would stop most adults in their tracks. However, Begonia has two younger sisters, Violet and Daisy, who rely solely on her. They give her purpose and courage. They give her life meaning, but will her sacrifices achieve for them or for her, a life free from the want that all children deserve? I wish there were a pretty ending, but life is harsh, and survival is not all it is cracked up to be.
Julia Press Simmons grew up on the streets she writes about and knows firsthand of the struggle. She skillfully continues the series, with memorable characters and horrifying truths. Her book Strawberry Mansion—A Philadelphia Story was a surprising first novel from a very skilled writer. She follows that up with a remarkable second book. I highly recommend Begonia Brown—A Philadelphia Story. It is a book of fiction, taken from the cruel reality of life, but told with the heart and soul of a true wordsmith.
by
Julia Press Simmons
Growing up in a place called Strawberry Mansion fosters the impression of comfort. The naming of daughters after the flowers in a garden, Violet, Daisy, and Begonia, further encourages that image. But we quickly learn in Julia’s latest book Begonia Brown—A Philadelphia Story, that pretty names do not assure a pretty life.
The mean streets of North Philadelphia harbor a harsh existence, especially for the young, and especially for young women. After the death of a caring Grandmother, Begonia has to learn to survive in the harsh world of homelessness, drugs, and violence. Using the unorthodox means of a hustler, this intelligent young woman does just that—she survives. The price she pays for her fortitude would stop most adults in their tracks. However, Begonia has two younger sisters, Violet and Daisy, who rely solely on her. They give her purpose and courage. They give her life meaning, but will her sacrifices achieve for them or for her, a life free from the want that all children deserve? I wish there were a pretty ending, but life is harsh, and survival is not all it is cracked up to be.
Julia Press Simmons grew up on the streets she writes about and knows firsthand of the struggle. She skillfully continues the series, with memorable characters and horrifying truths. Her book Strawberry Mansion—A Philadelphia Story was a surprising first novel from a very skilled writer. She follows that up with a remarkable second book. I highly recommend Begonia Brown—A Philadelphia Story. It is a book of fiction, taken from the cruel reality of life, but told with the heart and soul of a true wordsmith.
March 5, 2018
What a page turner! The truth of addiction and collateral damage eludes so many. The life of Begonia is not unique unfortunately. The story is written with vivid simplicity; drawing one into the day to day struggles of a child whom never got the chance to be a child. Heartbreaking and sobering.
January 11, 2020
Fire
Loooooooooooved it. It's raw. It real. Its passion. It's gritty. It's Deep! It doesn't matter if you read today or after years of it being in your library. It's still Fire!
Loooooooooooved it. It's raw. It real. Its passion. It's gritty. It's Deep! It doesn't matter if you read today or after years of it being in your library. It's still Fire!
March 25, 2010
A Sisters Bond, There Is Nothing Like it!
In this second installment of the “Philadelphia Stories� we meet Begonia Brown, a teenager at the tender age of fifteen. Begonia is the oldest of three, and she takes her role as older sister to heart. Her guardian angel which was her grandmother has died and she and her sisters are left in the care of their crack addicted mother. When their mother lands them in a homeless shelter Begonia steps up to the plate and takes to the street to do what she has to in order to take care of her baby sisters.
Violet the middle sister is the nerdy one. Loves school, loves reading and her friends are limited. Violet would be considered the good girl. Begonia keeps her out of the street life and that may prove to be deadly when the local drug dealer takes an interest in Violet. Will Violet know enough about life to resist the glamour of the street life or will the naïve little girl be eaten alive?
Daisy the baby is a sickly baby and her medicine costs a lot. Daisy’s condition puts a lot of strain on Begonia to keep her healthy as the mother is nonexistent and out in the street chasing her next high.
We follow Begonia over two years as she is the only mother figure her sisters know. Their living conditions are horrible and they are always trying to stay one step ahead of adults as not to be split up. Begonia goes through things NO child should have to. This book gives new meaning to ‘grown too soon�. Author Julia Press Simmons will do a number on your emotions as you read this novel. My only drawback was the ending, I felt it ended a little too soon without closing the story properly. I am aware that the next installment will focus on Violet. I just felt that Begonia story was not fully closed. I recommend this book and I look forward to Mrs Simmons next novel.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
4.5 star rating
In this second installment of the “Philadelphia Stories� we meet Begonia Brown, a teenager at the tender age of fifteen. Begonia is the oldest of three, and she takes her role as older sister to heart. Her guardian angel which was her grandmother has died and she and her sisters are left in the care of their crack addicted mother. When their mother lands them in a homeless shelter Begonia steps up to the plate and takes to the street to do what she has to in order to take care of her baby sisters.
Violet the middle sister is the nerdy one. Loves school, loves reading and her friends are limited. Violet would be considered the good girl. Begonia keeps her out of the street life and that may prove to be deadly when the local drug dealer takes an interest in Violet. Will Violet know enough about life to resist the glamour of the street life or will the naïve little girl be eaten alive?
Daisy the baby is a sickly baby and her medicine costs a lot. Daisy’s condition puts a lot of strain on Begonia to keep her healthy as the mother is nonexistent and out in the street chasing her next high.
We follow Begonia over two years as she is the only mother figure her sisters know. Their living conditions are horrible and they are always trying to stay one step ahead of adults as not to be split up. Begonia goes through things NO child should have to. This book gives new meaning to ‘grown too soon�. Author Julia Press Simmons will do a number on your emotions as you read this novel. My only drawback was the ending, I felt it ended a little too soon without closing the story properly. I am aware that the next installment will focus on Violet. I just felt that Begonia story was not fully closed. I recommend this book and I look forward to Mrs Simmons next novel.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
4.5 star rating
July 13, 2012
Just finished reading Begonia Brown and I enjoyed it. This was a spin off of Strawberry Mansion, because Begonia was mentioned a few times in that back and this story she is the main character and we are given and insight into her world and the thing that she and her sisters are subjected to.
This story was another heartfelt story the author wrote and you cant help but feel bad for Begonia and her sisters. Begonia being the oldest has to take on the role of a mother to her two younger sisters, she does what she has to do to provide for them as much as she can. As you read this you cant help but fee sorry for Begonia at the start of the book she goes through something really bad and it just continues to get bad for her, but she doesnt let it stop her, and even though she is young she deals with grown up situations to try to survive.
Violet is the middle sister and she is trying to find her own way, her sister takes care of her and tried to protect her from the things that she is doing so that she will not have to. Does this lead to her focusing more on her school work or does she want to find it on her own? Violet is very young and naive in many ways, she also had to grow up quickly but her sister shelters her from various things. So when Violet gets out into the real world its like something out the movies for her. Will this be her best dream or her worse nightmare?
Daisy is the baby sister and I just thought she was a cute little character that helped show the bound the sister have with each other.
Read to find out all the drama and issues that these three sisters go through. Will there bond keep them together or will the streets rip them apart.
Good read by Julia Press Simmons, she did a good follow up with the first part. There were a few minor editing errors but other than that I enjoyed it.
This story was another heartfelt story the author wrote and you cant help but feel bad for Begonia and her sisters. Begonia being the oldest has to take on the role of a mother to her two younger sisters, she does what she has to do to provide for them as much as she can. As you read this you cant help but fee sorry for Begonia at the start of the book she goes through something really bad and it just continues to get bad for her, but she doesnt let it stop her, and even though she is young she deals with grown up situations to try to survive.
Violet is the middle sister and she is trying to find her own way, her sister takes care of her and tried to protect her from the things that she is doing so that she will not have to. Does this lead to her focusing more on her school work or does she want to find it on her own? Violet is very young and naive in many ways, she also had to grow up quickly but her sister shelters her from various things. So when Violet gets out into the real world its like something out the movies for her. Will this be her best dream or her worse nightmare?
Daisy is the baby sister and I just thought she was a cute little character that helped show the bound the sister have with each other.
Read to find out all the drama and issues that these three sisters go through. Will there bond keep them together or will the streets rip them apart.
Good read by Julia Press Simmons, she did a good follow up with the first part. There were a few minor editing errors but other than that I enjoyed it.
September 4, 2012
Begonia, Violet and Daisy are sisters growing up in urban Philadelphia. There life would not fit on any greeting card. These young women survive each day without their mother, Doreen. Doreen lives for her substance of abuse. She has no thoughts of wanting to change yet. Some people would say she hasn't reached the lowest rung of the ladder. I do hope her story will continue throughout the other sequels.
JULIA PRESS SIMMONS focuses her story on the siblings who are fighting daily just to survive. Begonia is the oldest sister. Daisy is the baby. Violet is the middle child. Begonia loves her sisters deeply. She loves her mother too. However, because of their circumstances she has taken on a mother's role as well as a sister's role. The burden is very heavy for one young girl to carry by herself. It's amazing to read how difficult it is to do the right thing when you are born with a heavy load on your back. Still, Begonia, in some way, develops a beautiful art talent. She wins a regional contest. It's easy to see she will become a grand lady in the Art world when she finishes school. Thankfully, there is a stepmother who encourages her to believe in her talent. BEGONIA BROWN is like no other drama I've read in a long time. When the book ends, Violet's journey becomes the center of attention. So I wasn't surprised to see at the end of the novel the mention of a sequel. It is named Violet. I will remember Begonia and Violet for their strengths and not their weaknesses. Surely, it is their strength which will lead them to new and better lives without so much anxiety, poverty and crime. The novel is about love and hope and faith.urban-reviewsinsideout-juliapresssimmons
JULIA PRESS SIMMONS focuses her story on the siblings who are fighting daily just to survive. Begonia is the oldest sister. Daisy is the baby. Violet is the middle child. Begonia loves her sisters deeply. She loves her mother too. However, because of their circumstances she has taken on a mother's role as well as a sister's role. The burden is very heavy for one young girl to carry by herself. It's amazing to read how difficult it is to do the right thing when you are born with a heavy load on your back. Still, Begonia, in some way, develops a beautiful art talent. She wins a regional contest. It's easy to see she will become a grand lady in the Art world when she finishes school. Thankfully, there is a stepmother who encourages her to believe in her talent. BEGONIA BROWN is like no other drama I've read in a long time. When the book ends, Violet's journey becomes the center of attention. So I wasn't surprised to see at the end of the novel the mention of a sequel. It is named Violet. I will remember Begonia and Violet for their strengths and not their weaknesses. Surely, it is their strength which will lead them to new and better lives without so much anxiety, poverty and crime. The novel is about love and hope and faith.urban-reviewsinsideout-juliapresssimmons
August 29, 2013
Excellent book. I love the way Julia Press-Simmons writes. She pulls you in to the world of her characters. I loved the loyalty Begonia had to her sisters Violet and Daisy. She was a hustler for real. Would highly recommend.
August 24, 2015
Begonia Brown
I enjoyed this book. Begonia went through any and everything to take care of her sisters. The book showed her strengths and her weaknesses. Can't wait to read the 3rd part of this series, I hope for some happiness for the characters
I enjoyed this book. Begonia went through any and everything to take care of her sisters. The book showed her strengths and her weaknesses. Can't wait to read the 3rd part of this series, I hope for some happiness for the characters
May 9, 2011
vdery good book
this is a 3 part book series
this is a 3 part book series
September 16, 2011
Good book. I will read more by this author! I liked it!
Read
December 13, 2011this book is a gerat for a
teens
teens
June 1, 2012
My first read by Julia Press-Simmons... I really enjoyed this book...I look forward to reading the next one
October 11, 2013
JPS has me addicted to her work!! I just can't say enough about her. This was nothing short of the others. Well written and I certainly enjoy her sharing her craft. Thank you dear! Keep them coming.
Read
June 25, 2015Took a minute but I liked this read...
November 20, 2009
Hands down book of the fuggin year!!!!! lol
June 24, 2012
This book is the truth I felt connected to the story. i loved this book
September 15, 2012
Very good read!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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