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clairewords 's review for:
Not Without Laughter
by Langston Hughes
As I began reading this I was reminded of Bernice McFadden's The Book of Harlan, another story of a young man in part inspired by her grandfather, here it's semi autobiographical, as Hughes writes of a boy named Sandy, like himself and like Harlan, raised by a grad other who is more worldly and wise, women with ideas about raising grandsons to reach their better potential, while their daughters are off following their husband(s) who like the road and move from place to place.
Aunt Hager as they affectionately call her, is a great character and the one who truly formed Sandy into the quiet, highly observant child and teenager he becomes, a hardworking washerwoman who is always there for those who are ailing, and who worked every day of her life.
We follow Sandy through his opportunities and disappointments, his observations of how his people are treated and the strangeness of those who try to be what they aren't, moving up in a world that makes some of them ashamed of their humble beginnings and the humble trying to be good, but not allowing themselves to have fun in case it corrupts them.
It's a heartfelt story that leaves a sense of recreational as the last page is turned, when Sandy is deciding whether to leave school as suggested by his mother, to support her, or return to his studies as suggested by his Aunt, who like her mother wishes him to have that chance at bettering himself.
His observations of family dynamics, of the impact of race, of community connection, of the culture of music and the complications of young love are portrayed vividly, without judgement, leaving it to the reader to note the obvious.
Ultimately the title says it all, the way to cope, the example he admires, the man who finds something in his day to laugh about or someone to laugh with, finds joy right there.
Aunt Hager as they affectionately call her, is a great character and the one who truly formed Sandy into the quiet, highly observant child and teenager he becomes, a hardworking washerwoman who is always there for those who are ailing, and who worked every day of her life.
We follow Sandy through his opportunities and disappointments, his observations of how his people are treated and the strangeness of those who try to be what they aren't, moving up in a world that makes some of them ashamed of their humble beginnings and the humble trying to be good, but not allowing themselves to have fun in case it corrupts them.
It's a heartfelt story that leaves a sense of recreational as the last page is turned, when Sandy is deciding whether to leave school as suggested by his mother, to support her, or return to his studies as suggested by his Aunt, who like her mother wishes him to have that chance at bettering himself.
His observations of family dynamics, of the impact of race, of community connection, of the culture of music and the complications of young love are portrayed vividly, without judgement, leaving it to the reader to note the obvious.
Ultimately the title says it all, the way to cope, the example he admires, the man who finds something in his day to laugh about or someone to laugh with, finds joy right there.