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therecoveringbookworm's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime and Classism
cepbreed's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Maud Martha. I felt for her so deeply throughout this entire book. I love the idea of an ordinary existence. A quiet life is still a life and thus filled trials and tribulations. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Maud Martha through all the ordinariness she endured. Her internal struggle with comparison and jealousy, her husband, her beautiful daughter. They all felt so real to me. Gwendolyn Brooks has such a wonderful way of writing. It is so evident this was written by a poet and I enjoyed every line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Pregnancy, and Racism
Iindia_g's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.5
Maud Martha is the only novel, more a novella really, by well-known poet Gwendolyn Brooks. It is the story of an ordinary Black woman living in Chicago in the 1940s. It follows her from her childhood through to having a child of her own. It’s a gorgeously written character study that unfolds in a series of vignettes. Brooks is economical with her words, yet they are perfectly chosen as you would expect from a poet. Through them we clearly see Maud Martha’s dreams and disappointments, her trials and triumphs. It’s a very quiet book. Despite sexism, racism, financial insecurity and marital infidelity she never makes a fuss, preferring to carry on stoically making the best of her life, finding joy and happiness in the small moments. Her appreciation of a dandelion was perfection, her understanding of her husband insightful.
Thanks to @bookish.cori for putting this little known classic gem on my radar. I loved everything about it. Except Santa. I wanted to punch him!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
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