Reviews

Tambourines To Glory by Langston Hughes is a musical play written in 1956. Hughes in 1958 turned the play into a novel. It reads like a play, but in my opinion is better suited for a novel. (Although I have never seen the play)The novel/play centers around two female preachers Essie Belle Johnson and Laura Reed who are both from the South decide to open a storefront church in Harlem on 125th and Lennox. This story is a good depiction of good and evil and the length people will go to in order to get money.

booksbythecup's review against another edition

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When you find an unknown Hughes book in your library’s audio book catalog you read the synopsis and start listening.

I started this one evening while walking and couldn’t help but laugh and keep walking as to find out what was about to happen with this shotgun church Essie and Laura start. Polar opposite’s, these 2 women have different motivations for starting this outdoor, corner church. Essie loves the Lord and her friend Essie, so she all in.

However, Laura is in it for the money so she can enjoy life instead of being poor and mistreated.

There is humor but also a potent reality. Hughes shows how well meaning people are searching to satisfy their spiritual need. He shows how that can and has been exploited by many in the name of religion. This book while short and entertaining, makes me wonder how much Hughes knew about Jehovah God, several people in the book use God’s personal name on occasion. The book also made me appreciate how I want to continue helping others not study religion but the Bible. The truth is in there.

glassesgirl79's review against another edition

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4.0

“Tambourines to Glory” was the second novel written by Langston Hughes that is unknown by most people. Interestingly enough, this novel was based on a play of the same name 1956 which Hughes wrote in ten days. In addition, after “Tambourines to Glory” was published as a novel in 1958, the play hit Broadway in 1963 but closed after twenty-five shows due to bad reviews.

Hughes’ novel is a morality play set in 1950’s Harlem which presents good and evil through the characters of Essie Belle Johnson and Laura Reed. Both women are living off welfare are complete opposites: Essie is a God fearing woman wanting to earn enough money to send for her daughter living in the South while Laura loves money, fine things and liquor.

One day, Laura gets an idea that they both make money by preaching on the street corner while Essie sings. In order to bring their plan to fruition, they put a Bible on layaway and purchase a stool and tambourine to play while preaching to those walking past them on the street.

Due to Laura’s preaching ability and Essie’s divine singing, they soon move from the street corner to a small building to a large theater. During their location transitions, they gain new followers to their church which delights Essie since she feels what they’re doing is the Lord’s work but infuriates Laura because she feels the limelight getting moved from her.

Eventually, Laura’s desire for money comes to a tragic end while Essie is left to pick up the pieces of what remains. I enjoyed this book and like the juxtaposition between good and evil which is shown through both women. Although the novel is predictable at times, the message is one that is as true today as it was in 1958 when this novel was originally published.

sarah984's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The historical details of this novel were intriguing, and some of the writing was beautiful (especially the poetic descriptions of the lives most of the congregation were living during the conversion scene with Buddy). Much of the rest of the book however was mostly dialogue, betraying the story’s theatrical origin, and since the characters are essentially allegorical most of them weren't that interesting.

Content Warnings

gingerrachelle's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tonianni's review against another edition

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3.0

Short and sweet, very entertaining. Well written too, enjoyed every bit of it plus glad it didn’t go the way I imagined!
3 stars because it is like delicious fast food. Might review again when I mull on it more.

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