Wanda Coleman, Mambo Hips and Make Believe (76)

Although deep friendship between women seems to be nearly a cliché in fiction, Wanda Coleman has managed to capture it in a fresh way . . . Her narrator, Tamala, is a white girl from the suburbs who recognizes Erlene, an African American, as a soul-mate in a confusing world of racial identity, romantic travails, and spiritual bankruptcy. These friends suffer together through indignity, discrimination, abuse, [and] breathless highs and lows. They are not always heroes . . . but they attempt to live their beliefs and honor their friendship as best they can, making them two of the most believable characters you’d ever wish to have as real friends.
—Rain Taxi