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A review by 100pagesaday
Cora's Kitchen by Kimberly Garrett Brown
4.0
Cora James works as a librarian in Harlem. As a black woman in 1928, she is attune to the struggles of the women around her. Cora longs to be a writer and strongly identifies with a poem written by library patron and friend, Langston Hughes. Cora begins corresponding with Langston and divulges her dream. Langston encourages Cora to enter a writing contest by the National Urban League. However, Cora's life soon takes a turn as she is encouraged by her family to take a leave from the library to help her cousin Agnes by filling in as a family cook for the Fitzgerald family. Cora reluctantly does her duty for the family and finds that she has time to write as well as a unique insight into family life different from her own, yet still struggling with the same emotional burdens. Over the weeks, Cora forms a friendship with Eleanor Fitzgerald and shows Eleanor her writing. With encouragement from Eleanor and Langston, Cora finishes a story to submit.
Cora's Kitchen is a historical fiction story showing the emotional struggle and mental weight that black women must bear. Through the writing I could feel Cora's passion for her writing and her strong connection with the pains of all women. I could definitely connect with her feelings of wanting more out of life than being a good wife and mother. I loved the unlikely connection between Cora and Eleanor and how they were able to help one another grow and give one another the courage to get what they wanted out of life. Eleanor was a surprising character, growing in depth through the story and revealing an inner strength. Cora's correspondence with Langston Hughes adds another point of view to the story and I loved reading their letters to one another. I'm glad that Langston challenged Cora and that Cora was able to stand up for herself, her work and the struggles that all women face.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Cora's Kitchen is a historical fiction story showing the emotional struggle and mental weight that black women must bear. Through the writing I could feel Cora's passion for her writing and her strong connection with the pains of all women. I could definitely connect with her feelings of wanting more out of life than being a good wife and mother. I loved the unlikely connection between Cora and Eleanor and how they were able to help one another grow and give one another the courage to get what they wanted out of life. Eleanor was a surprising character, growing in depth through the story and revealing an inner strength. Cora's correspondence with Langston Hughes adds another point of view to the story and I loved reading their letters to one another. I'm glad that Langston challenged Cora and that Cora was able to stand up for herself, her work and the struggles that all women face.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.