Glorious
Click to order via Amazon
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Akashic Books (May 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936070111
ISBN-13: 978-1936070114
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
Reviewed by Thumper
I recently finished Bernice McFadden's latest novel, Glorious. Its title is
exactly what this novel is, glorious. The novel about a black woman writer
at the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance is tremendous; right now my mind
is fuzzy with praise for McFadden. I am full of joy right now. Bernice
McFadden continues her upward trajectory in becoming one of America's
foremost authors! Glorious should count as her masterpiece!
The story of Easter Venetta Bartlett's life began in Waycross, Georgia, at
the turn of the century when Jack Johnson the first black heavyweight boxing
champion won the crown. After her mother's death, Easter leaves home and
leads a vagabond type of existence before making a home for herself in
Harlem, where she eventually becomes a celebrated writer. She had the good
fortune of being in the right place at the right time—1922 Harlem and the
dawning of its cultural explosion on the American psyche. Easter experiences
love, betrayal, heartaches, hopes and misfortune along the way. When Easter
finally leaves Harlem, it is in disgrace.
McFadden is mine. I have loved her books for years! Her books, which
featured her fabulous creation Sugar and her novel The Warmest December, are
included in my "favorite books of all time" list. Glorious is an ass-wiper!
It's not just the writing, for it is superb that in itself is not a surprise
because McFadden was the shit straight out of the box with her debut novel,
Sugar. Glorious wasn't written; in as much as it was born, entered the world
screaming its head off after someone smacked it on its ass. The story has
movement and flows like the wind that changes the seasons. The narrative
isn't a dominant voice, it's a conductor that alerts and directs the
instruments and cues the characters when it's their turn to sing, as a solo,
or part of a trio or duet.
The characters are lively, none more so than Easter. If you are a student of
the Harlem Renaissance, the character of Easter will be familiar. Easter's
life is a composite of Zora Neale Hurston and Nella Larsen. McFadden
perfectly blended fact with fiction in order to create the character. Even
though Easter shared some of the same histories as Hurston and Larsen,
Easter is uniquely Easter, a completely separate individual. McFadden did
not only perform this type of composition with Easter, she incorporated
historical events and historical figures into the novel as well. For
instance Marcus Garvey and his assassination attempt is a part of Easter's
personal life. There was a brief period of time when I was reading the novel
that I had to remind myself that this story was not real. McFadden had
blurred the line between history and fiction so perfectly that it barely
existed.
Glorious is easily, hands down, one of the best books of the year. Wrapped
in a story that is poignant, powerful and bittersweet, Glorious is a shout
out for recognition and celebration of the Harlem Renaissance. I have not
felt this special since I first read J. California Cooper's splendid short
story collection, some love, some place, sometime, well over twenty years
ago. When it comes to stories and novels, McFadden doesn't know what a
misstep is. With Glorious, McFadden surpassed any and all expectations I had
for her. I cannot recommend Glorious strong enough. I would shout it from
the rooftops; put it up on billboards if I could.
I have always believed that one good book will lead to another. Glorious is
no exception to that homespun rule. I LOVE the Harlem Renaissance and the
literature and art that it produced. What great works! After reading
Glorious, it is apparent that McFadden loves this era as well. If after
reading Glorious, you are interested in the Harlem Renaissance, McFadden
mentions a number of books about the Harlem Renaissance or books that were
written during the renaissance in her afterword that are worth checking out.
EXPLORE! At the risk of being rude, I would also recommend The Messenger
Reader, The Crisis Reader, and The Opportunity Reader; anthologies edited by
Shondra Wilson.
Related Links
Read another AALBC.com Book Review written by Idrissa Uqdah
http://aalbc.com/reviews/glorious.html
