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parkergarlough's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
atticusmammy's review against another edition
1.0
I mistakenly thought this book was going to be along the lines of The Help. It’s a series of monologues from a lady named Mildred and her friend Marge. I feel like it was probably very well received in its time (1956) but it kind of falls flat in today’s world. Felt like a lot of “preaching to the choir”.
sambria's review
5.0
really loved this. it got a bit repetitive, but the voice and the social commentary (which is still relevant to this day) carries it to its end.
beverleefernandez's review
5.0
Like One Of The Family is everything The Help is not. Ok, that's not a fair assessment because the two books aren't supposed to be similar. This book is my favorite read of the year (so far) because Mildred is a teacher of life lessons everyone needs to succeed in life. Her recollection of a daily event is not a simple once over of mundane events with a measure of complaint and/or compliment. Mildred and Marge's conversation give the reader an introspective look into how a black woman (also a domestic day laborer living in Harlem) might feel about such topics as integration, the importance of a quality education, or the importance of respect.
I admire Ms. Childress' writing style. Mildred is the only character that actually speaks, yet the reader can infer what Marge says in response. I think listening to Mildred offered a great reminder for one of the most important life lessons- the wealth you may accumulate is worthless if there's no happiness. I think Childress has a way of presenting a moral without being judgmental. That is talent! Like One Of The Family is an excellent account of a black woman's thoughts and feelings at a time when she didn't have many options to make views known (though it's fiction). History constantly reminds us to visit the past for direction in making wise choices. The lesson for reissuing this book after so many years would be for us to not be dismayed by our current position if it's not where we want to be. Go forth & make the dream reality.
I admire Ms. Childress' writing style. Mildred is the only character that actually speaks, yet the reader can infer what Marge says in response. I think listening to Mildred offered a great reminder for one of the most important life lessons- the wealth you may accumulate is worthless if there's no happiness. I think Childress has a way of presenting a moral without being judgmental. That is talent! Like One Of The Family is an excellent account of a black woman's thoughts and feelings at a time when she didn't have many options to make views known (though it's fiction). History constantly reminds us to visit the past for direction in making wise choices. The lesson for reissuing this book after so many years would be for us to not be dismayed by our current position if it's not where we want to be. Go forth & make the dream reality.
greysonk's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
savosmith13's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book’s quick-paced conversations about all varieties of interpersonal, workplace, and social issues. I was quite surprised by how expansive it was, as I mostly anticipated it to address what it is like to be a black maid in a white woman’s house. While this book certainly does that, Mildred is such a bright character. She is always thinking of solutions for issues in the homes she works in, her churches, and the political realm. I can’t quite fit everything in that she addresses, so I definitely recommend you read this to hear all of Mildred’s great perspectives.
kazen's review
4.0
This collection of vignettes is a joy.
Even more than the joy, though, I love the look at what it's like to be a black domestic worker in 1950's New York. While the way of life is different there are other parts that are eerily familiar. When Mildred riffs one Christmas about what peace would look like she dispenses with "no war" quickly - peace would be not being turned away from an apartment because of her race. Peace would be not seeing signs on the subway asking for "tolerance" "regardless" of what other people are. And,
How little has changed.
As Roxanne Gay says in the foreword, it's "political without trying to manipulate the readers' sensibilites, without ever forgetting that a novel, political or not, must first and foremost entertain." The short chapters go down easy and are perfect for reading on the train or at the doctor's office. I'm thankful that Childress wrote down the experience of this overlooked slice of society. I'm so glad I read it.
Marge, I sure am glad that you are my friend... No, I do not want to borrow anything or ask any favors and I wish you'd stop bein' suspicious everytime somebody pays you a compliment. It's a sure sign of a distrustful nature.
Even more than the joy, though, I love the look at what it's like to be a black domestic worker in 1950's New York. While the way of life is different there are other parts that are eerily familiar. When Mildred riffs one Christmas about what peace would look like she dispenses with "no war" quickly - peace would be not being turned away from an apartment because of her race. Peace would be not seeing signs on the subway asking for "tolerance" "regardless" of what other people are. And,
...if nobody wanted to kill nobody else and I could pick up a newspaper and not read 'bout my folks gettin' the short end of every stick... that would mean more peace.
How little has changed.
As Roxanne Gay says in the foreword, it's "political without trying to manipulate the readers' sensibilites, without ever forgetting that a novel, political or not, must first and foremost entertain." The short chapters go down easy and are perfect for reading on the train or at the doctor's office. I'm thankful that Childress wrote down the experience of this overlooked slice of society. I'm so glad I read it.
micaelabrody's review against another edition
4.0
I find it tough to evaluate books that (1) have long introductions which kind of give away the gimmick or tell me what and how to think about its contents and (2) were published in serial and then are collected into a single volume. In this case, I think that the exposition about Mildred made her seem almost like a prop rather than a character, which is less than what she deserved. I think if the intro had come after the bulk of the book, it would have been easier to read her as a character rather than a symbol and thus internalize The Message in a more organic way. So, it’s tough to say how I would have experienced this one story at a time as intended by the actual author - I know it would have been far more impactful and powerful, but that might be on me (despite reading them almost every time, I personally tend to dislike introductions for this reason). As is, it is deserving of all the praise in the introduction and there’s not much I can say that others haven’t said already. This is a valuable book for all white people to read, and in serial it would have been even better: a window and a true conversation with experiences we gloss over too often.
tamccafferty's review against another edition
5.0
The format of this book took a little getting used to; it's written as dramatic monologues, but as soon as you get the hang of it, you see what a gem of a book it is. Mildred's voice rings true as if you've somehow become her friend Marge and you'll find yourself laughing, sighing, and thinking, most importantly. Mildred's not afraid to share her exact opinion on things, and it will inspire you to do the same. Her thoughts and opinions are also years ahead of her time - this book was written in 1956 but many of the issues she explores are still true today. Once you get into it, it flies by and before you know it, you're finishing and craving more of what Mildred has to say! This is a book that everyone should read at one time. I had to read it for a class and I think it's sad that I'd never heard of it before. Everyone should know about it! Read this book.