Colored Waiting Room by Patricia G. Pope Search Amazon for other books by or about Patricia G. Pope. Rating: Reviewed by: Suzanne Claud

The place is the Cherokee Nuclear plant in East Tennessee. Alberta Graham arrives to start a new job as a Unit Supervisor. She is not only a woman, which is unacceptable; she is a black woman.

Her immediate supervisor, Captain Klein hates her on sight. He puts out the word; she is to get the silent treatment and the 'old boys' network obeys the call. The Chief was on leave when Alberta arrived at the plant. On his return, Alberta is hopeful of getting some direction on her place in the establishment. She soon learns Chief Harris is not willing to rock the boat and Alberta realises she will never be part of the 'family'.

Alberta rises above the pettiness and settles into working the sixteen-hour shifts she has been allocated. Then the threatening phone calls start.

Officer James Patton, a black security officer is a great support and friend but he sees her as the great 'black hope' for equality and it is not until the advent of Jeremy Chambers that Alberta's life changes for the better. But does he love her for herself or for the security information he can pick up?

Coloured Waiting Room by Patricia Pope is not for the feint hearted. It is a powerful story of one woman's stand against racism, bigotry and government racketeering. It is an honest book where the novel's central character is portrayed 'warts and all'. You will empathise with her but the subtle changes in her character as the situations unveil are disturbing leading to an inevitable ending.

I recommend this book especially for those people who are interested in psychology and the effects of power play on the mind.