54 pages • 1 hour read
Waiting to Exhale
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
448
Novel • Fiction
Phoenix, Arizona • 1990s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan follows the intertwined lives of four middle-class, professional Black women—Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria—as they navigate romantic, professional, and personal challenges while supporting each other through lasting friendship. Themes include midlife introspection, romantic betrayal, and cultural dating expectations. Includes depictions of infidelity and a heart attack.
Emotional
Inspirational
Romantic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan captures the essence of African American women's lives through relatable characters and strong friendships. Positive responses highlight McMillan's witty, candid prose and engaging storytelling. Some criticisms point to predictable plotlines and uneven pacing. Overall, it resonates with readers for its authentic depiction of mid-life challenges.
Who Should Read Waiting to Exhale?
Readers who would enjoy Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale are often fans of contemporary African American literature, exploring themes of friendship, love, and personal growth. Similar audiences might appreciate Alice Walker's The Color Purple or Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Bernadine Harris
Bernadine Harris
A woman who copes with the end of an 11-year marriage. She seeks to rediscover her identity and goes through significant personal changes after her divorce.
Robin Stokes
Robin Stokes
A professional in her thirties who desires marriage and family life but faces challenges in finding the right partner. She learns to rely on herself and navigates personal growth throughout the narrative.
Gloria Matthews
Gloria Matthews
A single mother and hair salon owner who raised her son independently. She supports her friends emotionally while seeking love and personal health improvement.
448
Novel • Fiction
Phoenix, Arizona • 1990s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.