Eric Jerome Dickey Made Black Women Feel Seen
The best-selling author…created a world of fiction that understood and celebrated his most loyal readers.
—Fellow author Diane McKinney-Whetstone in The Atlantic
Get the popcorn and wine ready, Eric Jerome Dickey’s New York Times beloved and bestselling novel ☛FRIENDS AND LOVERS [pub: Dutton] is being adapted as a two-part movie on Lifetime according to the Hollywood Reporter. “Part one will premiere on [Saturday]Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime; the second part will air at the same time the following night.” 🍿🍷
Friends and Lovers was originally published in 1997 and 18 years later the celebrated storyteller’s creation is airing on television. Eric joined our ancestors in 2021 and oh, how I wish he was alive to bask in the adaptation of his work on the small screen. I originally wrote that the Tennessee-native only published a mere 29 novels. Turns out the “literary giant” actually penned 31 books and authored “a six-issue miniseries of comic books for Marvel Enterprises featuring Storm (X-Men) and the Black Panther.”
According to the Lifetime description, Friends and Lovers is the story of two best friends, Debra played by Naturi Naughton—popularly known from the Starz’ hit Power—a Type A doctor, and Shelby (Simone Missick—mostly known for the series All Rise originally aired on CBS, then OWN, now Hulu), a free-spirited rule breaker, as their lives intertwine with those of Leonard (Kendrick Sampson—played Nathan on HBO’s smash Insecure), a rising but struggling comedian, and Tyrese (RonReaco Lee—too many shows to name, but I absolutely loved him in Survivor’s Remorse on Starz), his loyal best friend. “As Debra and Leonard’s love deepens, and Tyrese finds himself entangled with Shelby’s unpredictable ways, the four navigate the challenges of modern relationships. When tragedy strikes the group, they are forced to rebuild—transforming their bond from friendship into chosen family.”
Full disclosure: I caught wind of Friends and Lovers—the two-part television event—on Wilson Morales’ account whilst scrolling on Instagram:
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I’ll be watching! And pouring a lil’ out for Eric. But first…, who wants to join me in re-reading or reading the Dickey classic Friends and Lovers?
Black ♛ Fact: I hung out with the late and wonderful Eric Jerome Dickey for a few splendid days in Barbados. We were both invited to the gorgeous island to promote our books. Eric was the main attraction, yet he made sure everyone that stopped by to see him, checked out my novel as well…such a generous spirit. Long live, read, watch and honor Eric Jerome Dickey.🕊
Authors Paula T. Renfroe and Eric Jerome Dickey at the 2010 Girlfriend’s Expo in Barbados
Synopsis Of Friends And Lovers From Penguin Random House:
Attraction can be instant. So can the consequences. Just ask Leonard, Debra, Tyrel, and Shelby. Four friends with so much in common: They’re good-hearted, loyal, and vulnerable to the complicated state of relations between men and women. They’re all searching for love—or at least unqualified affection. Either way, their lives are about to change….
A witty, honest portrait of the choices we make in the search for happy ever after, Friends and Lovers chronicles the lives of four young Black people through the joy, laughter, and pain of not-so-everyday life.
