Book summary

Media reviews

"Containing short stories, poems, memoirs, plays, and essays, this anthology fills the huge void in early-twentieth century literature left by African American women writers. The editors have done an excellent job choosing pieces for this collection, reflecting the confusion, anger, and longing for racial equality and the inherent qualities of the authors themselves. Although this collection includes pieces by such well-known writers as Zora Neale Hurston and Georgia Douglas Johnston, it also includes the work of many lesser-known and even unpublished writers, in total revealing a deep, rich body of work that has hitherto gone unnoticed. Each piece or work is surprising, whether it be amusing, sad, or simply enjoyable, all of them evoking another time and era effortlessly and providing a valuable historical record of the thoughts and feelings of an entire generation of African American women."