Reviews - The Queen of Sugar Hill

721 reviews for:

The Queen of Sugar Hill

ReShonda Tate

3.94 AVERAGE

kmore444's review against another edition

4.0

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

netanella's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

The Queen of Sugar Hill is the unstoppable Hattie McDaniel, the first black actress to win an academy award for her role in "Gone in the Wind." I was not very familiar with Hattie McDaniel, as her celebrity was primarily as an entertainer, but reading and listening to this fascinating historical fictional account of her life, I am now a complete fan of hers!

Hattie McDaniel was born the youngest of almost a dozen children, the daughter of former slaves. She rose, through talent and perseverance, to become one of the best loved black entertainers of her era, the "golden age" of Hollywood, with its Clark Gables, Bing Crosbys, and the like. Relegated to stereotypical roles of maid and servant, Hattie fought for more roles and more rights for black actors, while at the same time being attacked by some members of the black community for playing these very roles. Hattie famously said that she would rather play a maid for $700 a week than work as a maid for $7 a week!

Hattie's life was full of struggle - her failed marriages, her inability to have children, her constant battle to be seen and treated as an equal despite her dark skin and large figure. But her life was also, and continues to be, an inspiration for countless people who see Hattie as a groundbreaker who broke the color barrier in so many different ways.

I am very happy that I found this book via Netgalley, and I am very happy that I am now a new fan of the amazing Hattie McDaniel. Party on, my dear!

ecweeks's review against another edition

3.25

emotional funny informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

shay_janae's review against another edition

3.25

hopeful informative inspiring 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

A well-written fictional retelling of Hattie McDaniel’s life with vivid descriptions, a strong narrative voice, and a satisfying ending. I enjoyed the conversational tone and looking up the many historical figures mentioned; it added layers to the reading experience. That said, Hattie’s character sometimes did a lot of speechifying and a go-along-to-get-along approach that didn’t always sit right with me. Also, her heavy emphasis on Clark Gable was puzzling, being “mostly decent” shouldn’t earn that much real estate. Still, the author’s note explaining her research and choices was a great touch!

maritay918's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Loved learning more about Hattie McDaniel. There were some slow spots for sure. What struck me was her constant search for love and acceptance. Sometimes it was unbearably painful to read but it really shed light on how one victory, one mountaintop moment does not guarantee ease in life. I kept holding out hope that she’d see the red flags and make some different choices with some of her relationships but was disappointed often. As a person of color the telling of events tied to race were hard to read but necessary. The ending was a surprise and left me in tears. Overall a solid read.

Content Warnings