Leaving Cecil Street

A riveting tale about a back-room abortion that has devastating consequences for two teenage girls on a close knit Philadelphia block circa 1972

Block parties were king in this West Philadelphia neighborhood, especially the year Cecil Street decided to have two. These energetic, sensual street celebrations serve as backdrops to the story of best friends Neet and Shay and their families.

When Neet becomes pregnant by one of the corner boys, Shay arranges an abortion that goes terribly awry when Neet begins to hemorrhage. Neet is left unable to bear children and to Shay’s horror slips under the spell of her mother Alberta’s severe, esoteric religious beliefs. Shay is left to struggle with the grief of losing a cherished friendship, while she also bears witness to the the disintegration of her parents’ marriage. The story climaxes during the second block party, during which time it is discovered that Neet and Alberta have disappeared from Cecil Street—the holy-roller mother, Alberta, having finally been set free from the shackles of her church by none other than Shay’s father.

The author of the critically acclaimed novels Tumbling, Tempest Rising, Blues Dancing, Leaving Cecil Street, and Trading Dreams at Midnight, Diane McKinney-Whetstone is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s Literary Award for Fiction, which she won twice. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband. For more on Diane McKinney-Whetstone please visit www.mckinney-whetstone.com or follow her on Twitter @Dianemckwh.

“Heartfelt fourth from McKinney-Whetstone, who has a true talent for strong characters, effortlessly natural dialogue, and prose that flows.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Wistful, melodious, contemplative, McKinney-Whetstone’s prose feels inspired by the tenor sax central to this story…McKinney-Whetstone’s fourth novel is remarkable for the rich development of all its characters” — Publishers Weekly

“Leaving Cecil Street pays tribute to the beauty of a community whose strength is proven by the tragedy in its midst…A 1969 Phildelphia summer alive with block parties, front porches and bare feet is Whetstone’s backdrop for the intricately developed characters she weaves into a story of lasting impression.” — Philadelphia Magazine

“McKinney-Whetstone’s portrayal of African American family life is sensitive and compassionate, with characters who love, work, live, and die without veering into soap opera. As in her previous novels (e.g., Tumbling), ordinary people find a strength in themselves and others that enables them to live and love more fully.” — Library Journal

“McKinney-Whetstone’s portrayal of African American family life is sensitive and compassionate, with characters who love, work, live, and die without veering into soap opera.” — Library Journal

“Leaving Cecil Street pays tribute to the beauty of a community whose strength is proven by the tragedy in its midst…. A 1969 Phildelphia summer… is Whetstone’s backdrop for the intricately developed characters she weaves into a story of lasting impression.” — Philadelphia Magazine

“It’s been said that Diane McKinney-Whetstone writes ‘like Toni Morrison.’ That’s not true. McKinney-Whetstone writes like herself. She creates a unique, believable black middle-class world where there are no villains -- just individuals trying their very best to get through life while inflicting minimum pain on each other, or themselves…The thing about these characters is, they show up for life. They don’t leave. These people are flawed, human, engaging in the best sense. Outside of the troubles, it must have been so much fun growing up on Cecil Street.” — Washington Post

“[McKinney-Whetstone] creates a unique, believable black middle-class world where there are no villains—just individuals trying their very best to get through life while inflicting minimum pain on each other, or themselves…. These people are flawed, human, engaging in the best sense.” — Washington Post

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