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561 reviews for:
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf
Ntozake Shange
4.29 AVERAGE
561 reviews for:
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf
Ntozake Shange
4.29 AVERAGE
This play reminds me of that one line from Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God where she says, " De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see."
Shange's play tells the story of several women from across the country that are only connected by a shared marginalization based on the intersection of race/gender.
This is play that can do nothing but break you up the very end where it lift you back up with affirmation towards life which I honestly didn't expect to find at all! I think the legitimate tears for joy/sorrow I shed were worth it!
"somebody/ anybody
sing a black girl's song
bring her out
to know herself
to know you
but sing her rhythms
carin/ struggle/ hard times
sing her song of life
she's been dead so long
closed in silence so long
she doesn't know the sound
of her own voice
her infinite beauty
she's half-notes scattered
without rhythm/ no tune
sing her sighs
sing the song of her possibilities
sing a righteous gospel
let her be born
let her be born
& handled warmly."
Shange's play tells the story of several women from across the country that are only connected by a shared marginalization based on the intersection of race/gender.
This is play that can do nothing but break you up the very end where it lift you back up with affirmation towards life which I honestly didn't expect to find at all! I think the legitimate tears for joy/sorrow I shed were worth it!
"somebody/ anybody
sing a black girl's song
bring her out
to know herself
to know you
but sing her rhythms
carin/ struggle/ hard times
sing her song of life
she's been dead so long
closed in silence so long
she doesn't know the sound
of her own voice
her infinite beauty
she's half-notes scattered
without rhythm/ no tune
sing her sighs
sing the song of her possibilities
sing a righteous gospel
let her be born
let her be born
& handled warmly."
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
I bought this book two years ago and read about 30%, liked it, but set it down because I wasn't really in a place for poetry at the time. Picked it back up yesterday on a whim after receiving some personal news and realized that I was not only in a place for poetry, but that this book/play was exactly what I needed in this moment.
I will be rereading and will forever recommend.
I will be rereading and will forever recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
I read this in high school and didn't quite fall in love. Reading it today is a different experience. I still don't think every monologue works, but each one matters -and that's perhaps more of an accomplishment. Skip the forward though; each piece works best when it hasn't been over-contextualized.
Literally one of my favorite books of poetry I’ve ever read. I have marked and annotated and highlighted ALL OVER this book. It’s one of the books that i will always read over and over and over.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
“i found god in myself and i loved her fiercely”
after reading 10/31/2024:
“here
is what i have/poems/big thighs/lil tits/&
so much love/will you take it from me this one time/
please this is for you/ …. please please/this is for you
i want you to love me/let me love you …
lemme love you just like i am”
after reading 10/31/2024:
“here
is what i have/poems/big thighs/lil tits/&
so much love/will you take it from me this one time/
please this is for you/ …. please please/this is for you
i want you to love me/let me love you …
lemme love you just like i am”
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read for colored girls. For most of my childhood, I’ve heard the name of it whispered here and there, mostly the movie. However, reading, listening, and watching this piece was a once in a kind of experience. So many dark and complex themes were conveyed in so little words, but Shange’s ability to weave words into soulful soliloquies shapes the power of each line—each poem. One of my favorite reads of the year!
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Abortion
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical trauma
I abstain from a thorough review, since I wholeheartedly agree that this is a piece that is meant to be performed and not read. I bet it is gorgeous! But reading it in print is akin to reading the choreography of a dance. While I (as a white female cisgender 30 year old) did not feel particularly moved by the visions this play planted in my brain, I also acknowledge I had a really tough time picturing how the whole production would come together onstage.
I think it is on my "List of Plays to See"!
I think it is on my "List of Plays to See"!