Reviews

What's not to love when it comes to Cooper. Love in all forms with some sadness and grief, but love is at the heart of each story.

“Life is really something too, cause you can stand stark raving still and life will still happen to you. It's gonna spill over and touch you no matter where you are! Always full of lessons. Everywhere! All you got to do is look around you if you got sense enough to see! I hear people say they so bored with life. Ain't nothing but a fool that ain't got nothing to do in this here world. My Aunt Ellen, who I'm going to tell you about, always said, “Life is like trying to swim to the top of the rain sometime!” —Homemade Love, J. California Cooper

I can tell I'm in for a great story when I underline almost every sentence in the first paragraph. I didn't— some restraint was exercised. This quote from the first story, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain,' set the bar for the rest of the collection, but I expect no less when it comes to Cooper. If you've been around for any length of time you know Auntie Cooper is my favorite.

Homemade Love, a collection of 13 stories, love isn't always what we expect. We see that sometimes we can be standing in our own way when it comes to love.

Cooper says it best in the last line of, 'When Life Begins,' “All I know is there ain't nothin like love. Love and happiness! That's a fact, and you can blive that!” #SteepedInShortStories

lashondaporter's review against another edition

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5.0

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I am not sure why I haven't read any of her books before, and I OWN several of them! Well, now I am about to binge-read her. She was a FANTASTIC storyteller! Highly Highly recommend!! I listened to the audiobook and loved hearing the stories as I read them.

bookynooknook's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

joghansah's review against another edition

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challenging reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

If I’m being honest my relationship with short story collections can be a bit hit and miss. Often I find the collection uneven, liking some stories but finding others meh or worse. And often the individual stories can leave me wanting more - a bit like having a snack when you really wanted a complete meal. This was not the case with Homemade Love. Not only did I love or really enjoy each individual story but the fact they were connected, however loosely, by the theme of love - in all its many forms - made the collection as a whole extra satisfying.

What really stood out with these stories was the individual characters. I love the way the author really brought them to life as strong, fully rounded, flawed individuals. Each character was allowed to reveal their true nature and personality via their words and actions. This collection could provide a masterclass in the art of showing not telling. The tone was warm and leisurely, often humorous with nuggets of wisdom, frequently hard earned, woven in. Every story left me with a smile on my face. This was a book full of Black joy, not Black trauma.

I listened to this on audio which I really recommend. The cast of narrators was excellent and combined with the first person narrative of the stories themselves the overall audio experience was akin to sitting listening to a real person like your favourite wise Aunty or your raconteur uncle.

Content Warnings

randisworld's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

These stories were hilarious and heart-warming. Probably one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read.

dandelionfluff's review against another edition

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4.0

Wow, J. California Cooper is such a valuable voice in literature. Capturing that African American dialect, showing this wonderfully genuine, human side to life... These are great short stories, ones that made me laugh and reflect a bit. I think my favorite line was "climbing to the top of the rain." Lakes and rivers, they lay flat for you to swim through, but the rain? You've got to work to make your way above it to the silver lining.

It's a real shame that she passed away last year, but at the age of 82… I guess people can't live forever in the physical fashion! So thank you, Miss Cooper, for everything you've given us. Have a good time up there amongst the silver lining.

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