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kenderickj's review against another edition
4.0
Collection of 12 short stories about Black lives in the seventies. The title story about interracial marriage would be fitting today. These are stories that makes you think about how much has changed and how much that has not.
booksbythecup's review against another edition
3.0
The story of a scar
"Water seeks its own level, and people do, too."
"Life is to be lived, not traded on like dollars!"
Widows and a Orphans
"So I want all of y'all to remember, it don't make no nevermind where you come from, just so you get somewheres."
A loaf of bread
"You know the average man ain't really a man. The average man is a bootlicker. In fact, the average man would run away if he found hisself standing alone facin down a adversary.
"Water seeks its own level, and people do, too."
"Life is to be lived, not traded on like dollars!"
Widows and a Orphans
"So I want all of y'all to remember, it don't make no nevermind where you come from, just so you get somewheres."
A loaf of bread
"You know the average man ain't really a man. The average man is a bootlicker. In fact, the average man would run away if he found hisself standing alone facin down a adversary.
nicole_reads_everything's review against another edition
4.0
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER: 1978
===
4.5 rounded down
If I truly went with the average of these stories, this would be a lower rating, but I was too impressed with the writing here and the collection overall to rate it lower. Super smart writing, and each short story is perfectly paced and displays a keen insight into the various characters. Even when I didn't particularly enjoy the stories, I appreciated them. There were a number that I didn't quite get, but I think that's a me issue.
Why I Like Country Music: 5 stars
A man thinking back to his youth and a crush he had on a girl in his class with whom he was able to square dance with on May Day. Lovely and poignant and the perfect length.
The Story of a Dead Man: 4 stars
A man from the South who makes his way to Chicago and "moves up in the world" as compared with his shiftless cousin who had a different path. A less compelling story for me personally, but brilliantly rendered.
The Silver Bullet: 3.5 stars
Boy tries to join a gang and finds the whole process more difficult than imagined. Appreciated the point and themes, and the writing was fabulous, but so far the least engaging.
The Faithful: 3 stars
An old preacher and a barber who cannot change with the times. Part of why I didn't enjoy this one is because the writing is so good that he really brought this stubborn man vividly to life and I found him so damn frustrating! Which is a credit to the prose, but I was annoyed the whole time.
Problems of Art: 4 stars
Story of a white lawyer assigned to represent a Black woman at risk of losing her license due to a alleged drunk driving incident. Interesting story and loved the ending.
The Story of a Scar: 3.5 stars
Woman in a doctor's waiting room tells the story of how she got a facial scar to a fellow patient. A bit depressing.
I Am an American: 3 stars
A couple abroad in London witness a robbery and are stood up by a friend of a friend. Didn't really much see the point to this one.
Widows and Orphans: 2.5 stars
Man watching an awards ceremony for his former lover/university student. Not sure I got this one...
A Loaf of Bread: 4 stars
Grocer caught charging Black neighborhood higher prices than in white neighborhoods and picketed until his wife convinces him to take a day to give away all his merchandise. Interesting concept, not totally sure I *got* it.
Just Enough for the City: 2 stars
Well written and I could tell that it was clever but it went RIGHT over my head...
A Sense of Story: 3 stars
Judge reviewing the transcript of a court case after the defendant admits to murder in the courtroom. Another one that I just don't think I ~got~.
Elbow Room: 5 stars
My favorite of the bunch, and I can see why this is the title story! A Black narrator and collector of stories tells a piece of the story of a white man and a Black woman's relationship. The style here was super unique and the writing blew me away.
===
4.5 rounded down
If I truly went with the average of these stories, this would be a lower rating, but I was too impressed with the writing here and the collection overall to rate it lower. Super smart writing, and each short story is perfectly paced and displays a keen insight into the various characters. Even when I didn't particularly enjoy the stories, I appreciated them. There were a number that I didn't quite get, but I think that's a me issue.
Why I Like Country Music: 5 stars
A man thinking back to his youth and a crush he had on a girl in his class with whom he was able to square dance with on May Day. Lovely and poignant and the perfect length.
The Story of a Dead Man: 4 stars
A man from the South who makes his way to Chicago and "moves up in the world" as compared with his shiftless cousin who had a different path. A less compelling story for me personally, but brilliantly rendered.
The Silver Bullet: 3.5 stars
Boy tries to join a gang and finds the whole process more difficult than imagined. Appreciated the point and themes, and the writing was fabulous, but so far the least engaging.
The Faithful: 3 stars
An old preacher and a barber who cannot change with the times. Part of why I didn't enjoy this one is because the writing is so good that he really brought this stubborn man vividly to life and I found him so damn frustrating! Which is a credit to the prose, but I was annoyed the whole time.
Problems of Art: 4 stars
Story of a white lawyer assigned to represent a Black woman at risk of losing her license due to a alleged drunk driving incident. Interesting story and loved the ending.
The Story of a Scar: 3.5 stars
Woman in a doctor's waiting room tells the story of how she got a facial scar to a fellow patient. A bit depressing.
I Am an American: 3 stars
A couple abroad in London witness a robbery and are stood up by a friend of a friend. Didn't really much see the point to this one.
Widows and Orphans: 2.5 stars
Man watching an awards ceremony for his former lover/university student. Not sure I got this one...
A Loaf of Bread: 4 stars
Grocer caught charging Black neighborhood higher prices than in white neighborhoods and picketed until his wife convinces him to take a day to give away all his merchandise. Interesting concept, not totally sure I *got* it.
Just Enough for the City: 2 stars
Well written and I could tell that it was clever but it went RIGHT over my head...
A Sense of Story: 3 stars
Judge reviewing the transcript of a court case after the defendant admits to murder in the courtroom. Another one that I just don't think I ~got~.
Elbow Room: 5 stars
My favorite of the bunch, and I can see why this is the title story! A Black narrator and collector of stories tells a piece of the story of a white man and a Black woman's relationship. The style here was super unique and the writing blew me away.
jonathanp99's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
elemomi's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tarajoy90's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carmanj's review against another edition
3.0
Working through my list of Pulitzer winners! “Elbow Room” is a 1977 short story collection by James Alan McPherson. He was the first Black winner of the Pulitzer fiction prize and when the MacArthur “genius” grants were first handed out in 1981, he was one of the recipients.
Very interesting to read, although I’d probably appreciate it more if I were studying it in a university class. My fave stories include the charming “Why I Like Country Music” and “The Faithful” about a barber/preacher who can’t adapt to new styles.
Very interesting to read, although I’d probably appreciate it more if I were studying it in a university class. My fave stories include the charming “Why I Like Country Music” and “The Faithful” about a barber/preacher who can’t adapt to new styles.
drewmoody321's review against another edition
2.0
Read my full review here: http://thepulitzerblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/entry-45-elbow-room-by-james-alan-mcpherson-1978/
blazenaat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0