Chasing the 400 is the story of two African American siblings from a working class neighborhood on Philadelphia's
Main Line who try to make their dreams come true in the 1950s, despite the obstacles that Philadelphia's black bourgeoisie
throw in their way.
The oldest of ten plumber's children, sassy and sexy Vera Marshall wants to leave her working class Main Line
neighborhood and secure a place in "the 400"--1950s Philadelphia's black bourgeoisie. When hired as a department store
model, Vera thinks she's on her way.
Bobby Marshall dreams of college and a life different than his father's.
But will Ned Daniels, the snobby son of their town's only Negro doctor, ruin their plans?
Join the Marshalls and a cast of characters as they chase "the 400" all over Philadelphia and the Main Line,
hoping that the game is worth the chase.
Chasing the 400 provides an fresh and entertaining look into the small, thriving, working class and close
knit African American neighborhoods of the 1950s and into the exclusive world of the Black bourgeoisie.
"I wrote Chasing the 400 with short, fast-paced chapters to appeal to readers like me--hard-working and busy
people who collapse in bed at the end of the day, eager to read an upbeat book about characters they can root for, and
equally eager to feel that they've accomplished something for themselves by reading at least one chapter." --Sheilah Vance.
PRAISE FOR CHASING THE 400:
"The tale that unfolds is full of laughs and good times....If you are looking for an upbeat novel to relax with
after a stressful week at the office, Chasing the 400 is the book for you."--Idrissa Udquah, African American Literature Book
Club; see the full review at http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/chasing_the_400.htm
“I couldn’t put Chasing the
400 down. I adored Vera and Bobby, and traveling back in time into a world I
knew nothing about, yet what I loved best was how this novel made me think: about
being black or white, about how we decide what is right and what is wrong, about how our lives unfold through our choices. This is a book to share with all your literary friends.”
--Jennifer Louden, author of The Life Organizer and The Women’s Comfort Book
"Sheilah Vance is a fresh, humorous and necessary
voice with great insight into human nature, class struggles, and what it takes to chase your dreams."
--Benilde Little, author of Good Hair, The Itch, Acting Out,
and Who Does She Think She Is
"CHASING THE 400 is
a fast-paced and enlightening read . . ."
- Dawn Reeves, RAWSISTAZ.com;
see the full review in Feb. 2007
“I finished the book a few weeks ago….FANTASTIC!!!!!! This honestly should be a movie. As I was reading the story,
I felt as if I was in the scene with the characters. As they were in the bars,
I could feel the smoke and the atmosphere. As a fashion designer, your consistency and detail to the timely
fashions, color palettes, shoes, hats and, especially the hairstyles, were an added bonus for the characters. I will highly
recommend this book to my reading group.”
Ashton Hall – Excel Fashions, Inc.
"I just finished Chasing the 400 and I absolutely loved it! It was great
from
cover to cover. Can't wait for your next book!"--T. D.
"The moment I opened and read the first few pages of your
book, I was encaptured and couldn't put the book down until I finished it the next day. Not being from Philadelphia,
I was curious about the historical context of the '400'. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences in this entertaining
fictional story. "--J.P.
"I just finished your book
that I bought Saturday at the AKA Fashion Show. I
loved it: Women's Lit, Family Values, Education, Work Ethic, Morals,
And
Love. Great Novel. I will pass it on, as has become my practice."
--Starr Mercer-Horne
