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paperdaisy123's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars... Overall, this was a fascinating story about the first black female millionaire. It is awe-inspiring to see how Sarah Breedlove started with absolutely nothing as the daughter of former slaves and became not only incredibly wealthy, but an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people. The book was well-written, but I had to knock it down half a star for stretches in the book that plodded on without making much impact to the story. These parts of the book made it difficult to finish. I was also disappointed to read in the afterword just how much had been imagined by the author, particularly the character of Lottie. I think Sarah's story is quite fascinating, and I would love to read more biographical information about her life.
maryrobinette's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful look at the life of one of the most influential African-American women. Completely fascinating.
carolynf's review against another edition
4.0
Poor woman was so driven that she died much too young, but she accomplished so much in that time!
mswrightwright's review
4.0
Historical fiction on the life of Madame C.J. Walker. An inspiring read about one of the first Black millionaires in America.
juliuslollis0811's review
5.0
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. Yes, there are portions of the book that are long but this book is a great book about the first black millionaire. Once I started reading this book it was hard to put it down. Madam C.J. Walker's story is a great inspiration that will wake up your soul to want to do better for yourself. It's not how you start in life but how you finish.
vhp's review
3.0
Historical fiction based on the first black female millionaire, Sarah Breedlove Walker. She created hair products for black women.
Her story is amazing and though the author does take some liberties, she explains where and how and it doesn't take away from the story.
Her story is amazing and though the author does take some liberties, she explains where and how and it doesn't take away from the story.
manglitter's review
5.0
I wanted to read this book for such a long time but without even knowing what will be the story about. I didn't know that it was a biography until I started to read it and I could not stop for I was mesmerized. I loved the title and the fact that I love to read stories about the African-American people but through my reading of this book I discovered a legend. Sarah Breedlove was a big inspiration and I felt like an ignorant for not knowing who was this GREAT LADY for she is and she deserve to be known by all the generations. Hollywood should make a movie about Madame CJ.Walker, why, until now, nobody have made a movie about her life?!!
This woman was a force of nature, when she decided that she wanted to have better, to become someone, she worked for it and at the end she became more and she has accomplished much more. She was a fighter for she had faced many sad battles but never gave up, Never!
I just can say that I'm happy that I've discovered The Black Rose and thanks to the author for her researches and for writing this beautiful book. I don't think that I can read now the book of Michelle Obama after Sarah Breedlove.
I think that we should talk about Madame CJ.Walker more and made this great woman known to the world. What a life she had!
This woman was a force of nature, when she decided that she wanted to have better, to become someone, she worked for it and at the end she became more and she has accomplished much more. She was a fighter for she had faced many sad battles but never gave up, Never!
I just can say that I'm happy that I've discovered The Black Rose and thanks to the author for her researches and for writing this beautiful book. I don't think that I can read now the book of Michelle Obama after Sarah Breedlove.
I think that we should talk about Madame CJ.Walker more and made this great woman known to the world. What a life she had!
lmurray74's review
4.0
I love Tananarive Due's horror and related fiction, and I would have loved some supernatural spirit here! Due is certainly a gifted storyteller and I knew very little about Madam C.J. Walker before reading this. It's a fictionalized account and I think that is how it had to be told. Due continued a project started by Alex Haley, and she has done the story justice, from my reading. There is little criticism of Sarah Breedlove, Madam C.J. Walker, and that grated at times. There was little mention of Annie Malone, someone Madam Walker may have stolen the recipe for her wonderful hair grower formula from.
What I found most interesting was the historical context of the story. Sarah really did go from rags to riches and her incessant hard work led to an early death at 51. She also set many black families up with the financial means to pursue higher education and to broaden their life goals, through their own hard work. She was involved in the politics of the day and did what she could to advance rights and opportunities for African American people.
This was a solid introduction for me to Madam C.J. Walker's life and the tenderness Due has for her comes across well. I might have wanted a more analytical tone at times, but this isn't a straight biography and I don't think her life has been romanticized.
What I found most interesting was the historical context of the story. Sarah really did go from rags to riches and her incessant hard work led to an early death at 51. She also set many black families up with the financial means to pursue higher education and to broaden their life goals, through their own hard work. She was involved in the politics of the day and did what she could to advance rights and opportunities for African American people.
This was a solid introduction for me to Madam C.J. Walker's life and the tenderness Due has for her comes across well. I might have wanted a more analytical tone at times, but this isn't a straight biography and I don't think her life has been romanticized.