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eprimo's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
I loved the sisters, and Mama - I wanted a bit more at the end, but it was an endearing read (the beginning part with Indigo was my favorite).
ray_uhhh's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
elzabetg's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I'm glad a friend reminded me of it. I'm going to buy a new copy ASAP and re-read it.
Re-read last month. I still love this book.
Re-read again. I'll probably reread this book regularly. It's a perennial favorite.
Re-read last month. I still love this book.
Re-read again. I'll probably reread this book regularly. It's a perennial favorite.
lindseyzank's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars*
I loved getting to know these daughters and how they interpret Geechee culture as they go off to make their own lives amidst the Civil Rights Movement. Shange’s writing is sensual, soulful, and poetic. She connects dance to Africa, explores sexuality and sexual satisfaction through a variety of relationships (including woman to woman), and depicts the deep love between sisters, daughters, and mothers. Her female characters are strong, rebellious, and refuse to accept their lot as Black women in the United States, instead bushwacking their own paths to freedom and self-expression. The story moves you through Black communities in Charleston, LA, San Francisco, and New York and celebrates Black culture throughout. Shange writes in mixed media, blending journal entries, letters, poems, songs, cooking recipes, and herbal remedy recipes to capture the textures and vibrancy of Geechee and African American cultures. My main critique of this novel is that it simply isn’t long enough to develop all of the characters and storylines. While I did come to know each daughter as completely separate and unique women, I didn’t feel like I was able to follow their individual stories for long enough nor was I able to see enough of how they relate to each other. For example, we get Indigo’s story when she’s a young girl for the first part of the book but then she doesn’t appear until many pages later and only briefly before the end. And the mother writes many letters but you never see the daughters’ responses to those letters. I wanted so much more! Even so, I adore Shange’s writing style (it’s an experience for all of your senses) and still know her to be such an important Black female writer.
I loved getting to know these daughters and how they interpret Geechee culture as they go off to make their own lives amidst the Civil Rights Movement. Shange’s writing is sensual, soulful, and poetic. She connects dance to Africa, explores sexuality and sexual satisfaction through a variety of relationships (including woman to woman), and depicts the deep love between sisters, daughters, and mothers. Her female characters are strong, rebellious, and refuse to accept their lot as Black women in the United States, instead bushwacking their own paths to freedom and self-expression. The story moves you through Black communities in Charleston, LA, San Francisco, and New York and celebrates Black culture throughout. Shange writes in mixed media, blending journal entries, letters, poems, songs, cooking recipes, and herbal remedy recipes to capture the textures and vibrancy of Geechee and African American cultures. My main critique of this novel is that it simply isn’t long enough to develop all of the characters and storylines. While I did come to know each daughter as completely separate and unique women, I didn’t feel like I was able to follow their individual stories for long enough nor was I able to see enough of how they relate to each other. For example, we get Indigo’s story when she’s a young girl for the first part of the book but then she doesn’t appear until many pages later and only briefly before the end. And the mother writes many letters but you never see the daughters’ responses to those letters. I wanted so much more! Even so, I adore Shange’s writing style (it’s an experience for all of your senses) and still know her to be such an important Black female writer.
readincolour's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't really care for it when I read it years ago. Giving the audio version a try to see if that makes a difference.
manaledi's review against another edition
4.0
These were all strong women figuring out the centrality of art (weaving, dancing, music) in their lives. There's a fair amount of feminism and black power, but in a nuanced sense of the way it actually affects people's lives. It's about the power of sisters and being true to yourself, combined with letters and recipes.
walwoodr's review against another edition
4.0
This book was essentially a character sketch of a family. Very engaging, interesting and with reading.
alexozl's review against another edition
4.0
Such a lovely book. Shange's uncanny ability to blend poetry into scenes gives the whole narrative a "golden hour" quality, where the characters are exalted & extraordinary.
books4bee's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5