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sophronisba's review against another edition
3.0
I think I don't know enough about the Harlem Renaissance to truly appreciate this book -- I'm just not familiar enough with all the personalities discussed here. I do want to find full-length bios of both Hughes and Hurston in hopes of learning more. But the book is well-written and remains interesting, even if it feels a bit short.
jw2869's review against another edition
3.0
The book provides great context for the work of Zora and Langston and how their friendship, and their shared link to Charlotte Mason, influenced their art. The book touches a great deal on the role of white philanthropy as both a boost for these prominent authors (in terms of financial stability, networks, and platforms) and also as an inconvenient harness that constrained their artistic freedom and expression.
With that said, I spent half of the book cringing. Learning of the great lengths that both writers went to maintain the affections of their benefactor can't be described as anything other than debasing. The last third of the book which focuses on the deterioration of Zora and Langston's friendship felt like I was reading a 1930s gossip rag (these folks were the original creators of shade). Sadly, I closed the book with less respect for both writers. In trying to humanize the story of their friendship (or at least I'm guessing that's what the goal was), the book ended up presenting both Zora and Langston as petulant, calculating, cruel, and stubborn. I'm not sure this added much to their legacies.
With that said, I spent half of the book cringing. Learning of the great lengths that both writers went to maintain the affections of their benefactor can't be described as anything other than debasing. The last third of the book which focuses on the deterioration of Zora and Langston's friendship felt like I was reading a 1930s gossip rag (these folks were the original creators of shade). Sadly, I closed the book with less respect for both writers. In trying to humanize the story of their friendship (or at least I'm guessing that's what the goal was), the book ended up presenting both Zora and Langston as petulant, calculating, cruel, and stubborn. I'm not sure this added much to their legacies.
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
IQ "I tried for a long time to bring the subject up with you, but I couldn't. I just kept trying to make a joke of it to myself, but somehow the sentences in my mind wouldn't laugh themselves off." (Zora, 197)
I was the ideal reader for this book I think because I had never read either a memoir or biography about either of the legendary writers. Each of the writers is written about both individually and in relation to each other which provides a satisfying conclusion to the book where we see the rest of their careers and lives even when they are no longer on speaking terms. However this was a tough one to read because of the high regard I held for Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston previously. Unfortunately reading about their relationship with Charlotte Mason, who was alternatively condescending and demeaning to both of them, made some of that awe and respect disappear. Their complete self reliance on her patronage before and during the Great Depression is tough to stomach as you read the cringe-inducing letters they sent to her with the subservient attitude and willingness to traffic in certain Black stereotypes. No one should ever address a human person with the reverence these writers reserve for Charlotte Mason. This was more so an issue with Zora because although Langston met Mason first he did eventually break away from her (but then spent much of the book bemoaning the severing of ties between them, more so than his friendship with Zora ending!) whereas Zora kept crawling back to her for acceptance and money. I understood initially why they accepted her patronage but that doesn't make it any easier to get used to it or see them as spirited independent literary figures. Particularly for Zora it made me unbearably sad thinking of all her potential that was doused by Mason's own racist and selfish needs for her to focus on Black folklore and subsequently primitivism. I certainly think their relationship with Mason is part of why their friendship deteriorated so rapidly, some letters made it appear that Mason egged Zora on to hold this grudge. Aside from Mason the meddling Alain Locke (which reminded me that I still need to power my way through the New Negro) also contributed to the mess of the argument. Most friends tried not to take sides but there is rampant sexism in the views of Zora's enemies and former-friends who take Langston's side or criticize her work. It also seemed like there was sexism at play in how Mason treated Zora, women can be sexist too, that's the only conclusion I could draw for why Zora's contract was so different from Langston's.
I don't want it to appear that this book is all depressing, it is a delight to accompany Zora and Langston on their road trip (I firmly believe this episode should be a play or short film) and watch their friendship grow through their letters. It's very sweet and painfully obvious that they were very dear to each other which makes it even more sorrowful that they weren't able to save their friendship. In fact I would read an entire book based on their letters to each other even if it ended up being a slim volume, the writing is beautiful and poignant (one of those letters is what I drew the introductory quote from). I do think it's very clear that the author sides with Zora and I was throughly convinced however it is also very apparent that this is a matter of ego and 'he said' 'she said' that is lost to history because so much of their correspondence has disappeared. And on that note I wish the author had plainly articulated why so much about Zora, Langston and other writers of the Harlem Renaissance remains in the dark. Because Black literary history was not seen as something worth conserving, by the time researchers started taking notice of their contributions much of their written material appears to gone. He also could have taken the time to similarly explain why certain papers and journals hadn't been published, such as Langston and Louise Thompson Patterson's memoir which made this book so revolutionary for taking the time to carefully research and track much of these materials down for use in the book.
ZORA AND LANGSTON is a heady, fascinating introductory dual biography of two brilliant writers who had a passionate, intimate friendship that subsequently ended in one of the most heartbreaking and dramatic literary feuds in American history. I wish this book had featured more pictures but aside from that I was completely transported and fully immersed in the Harlem Renaissance era in all its dazzling, dizzying, drama filled glory. I don't understand those who describe this book as 'gossip-y', I think it's very apparent from the premise that there will be some scandal involved because it's a literary quarrel, otherwise why would the friendship have ever ended? So don't let those comments dissuade you from reading. I also really love this cover. This is an absolute must for fans of Hughes, Hurston and/or the Harlem Renaissance. Now that I've fully immersed myself in these two I look forward to reading a biography about Zora Neale Hurston next (WRAPPED IN RAINBOWS).
I was the ideal reader for this book I think because I had never read either a memoir or biography about either of the legendary writers. Each of the writers is written about both individually and in relation to each other which provides a satisfying conclusion to the book where we see the rest of their careers and lives even when they are no longer on speaking terms. However this was a tough one to read because of the high regard I held for Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston previously. Unfortunately reading about their relationship with Charlotte Mason, who was alternatively condescending and demeaning to both of them, made some of that awe and respect disappear. Their complete self reliance on her patronage before and during the Great Depression is tough to stomach as you read the cringe-inducing letters they sent to her with the subservient attitude and willingness to traffic in certain Black stereotypes. No one should ever address a human person with the reverence these writers reserve for Charlotte Mason. This was more so an issue with Zora because although Langston met Mason first he did eventually break away from her (but then spent much of the book bemoaning the severing of ties between them, more so than his friendship with Zora ending!) whereas Zora kept crawling back to her for acceptance and money. I understood initially why they accepted her patronage but that doesn't make it any easier to get used to it or see them as spirited independent literary figures. Particularly for Zora it made me unbearably sad thinking of all her potential that was doused by Mason's own racist and selfish needs for her to focus on Black folklore and subsequently primitivism. I certainly think their relationship with Mason is part of why their friendship deteriorated so rapidly, some letters made it appear that Mason egged Zora on to hold this grudge. Aside from Mason the meddling Alain Locke (which reminded me that I still need to power my way through the New Negro) also contributed to the mess of the argument. Most friends tried not to take sides but there is rampant sexism in the views of Zora's enemies and former-friends who take Langston's side or criticize her work. It also seemed like there was sexism at play in how Mason treated Zora, women can be sexist too, that's the only conclusion I could draw for why Zora's contract was so different from Langston's.
I don't want it to appear that this book is all depressing, it is a delight to accompany Zora and Langston on their road trip (I firmly believe this episode should be a play or short film) and watch their friendship grow through their letters. It's very sweet and painfully obvious that they were very dear to each other which makes it even more sorrowful that they weren't able to save their friendship. In fact I would read an entire book based on their letters to each other even if it ended up being a slim volume, the writing is beautiful and poignant (one of those letters is what I drew the introductory quote from). I do think it's very clear that the author sides with Zora and I was throughly convinced however it is also very apparent that this is a matter of ego and 'he said' 'she said' that is lost to history because so much of their correspondence has disappeared. And on that note I wish the author had plainly articulated why so much about Zora, Langston and other writers of the Harlem Renaissance remains in the dark. Because Black literary history was not seen as something worth conserving, by the time researchers started taking notice of their contributions much of their written material appears to gone. He also could have taken the time to similarly explain why certain papers and journals hadn't been published, such as Langston and Louise Thompson Patterson's memoir which made this book so revolutionary for taking the time to carefully research and track much of these materials down for use in the book.
ZORA AND LANGSTON is a heady, fascinating introductory dual biography of two brilliant writers who had a passionate, intimate friendship that subsequently ended in one of the most heartbreaking and dramatic literary feuds in American history. I wish this book had featured more pictures but aside from that I was completely transported and fully immersed in the Harlem Renaissance era in all its dazzling, dizzying, drama filled glory. I don't understand those who describe this book as 'gossip-y', I think it's very apparent from the premise that there will be some scandal involved because it's a literary quarrel, otherwise why would the friendship have ever ended? So don't let those comments dissuade you from reading. I also really love this cover. This is an absolute must for fans of Hughes, Hurston and/or the Harlem Renaissance. Now that I've fully immersed myself in these two I look forward to reading a biography about Zora Neale Hurston next (WRAPPED IN RAINBOWS).
seachanged's review
fast-paced
2.0
Gossipy and slight, an easy and sometimes good read. The (white) author’s use of the n-word was badly misjudged—he used it repeatedly as part of a phrase coined by ZNH, and while the quote from her made sense to include, the way he incorporated it into his own text (an even a chapter title), over and over again, made it seem like he was reveling in his use of it in a strange and disconcerting way.
serendipitysbooks's review
4.0
While reading The Mule Bone I discovered some controversy surrounding its authorship. I was keen to learn more I listened to Zora and Langston. It offered great insight into their work, their friendship, including a working road trip they made through the South, and their relationship with their white patron Charlotte Mason. While it spent a lot of time considering the evidence surrounding The Mule Bones authorship and the end of their friendship it never reached a firm conclusion. Fascinating stuff all the same.
mikolee's review
2.0
If you love Love Love Zora and Langston then this book is for you. I am a huge fan of both and have read all of their works. This book goes over their relationship but feels more like a thesis instead of a lovely historical world to sink into.
bookish_afrolatina's review
4.0
I wish I read more of Zora and Langston's work before reading this book. I was mostly curious about them and wanted to learn more. I'll revisit this book after I read more of their work.
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