K McCray

My First Mary Monroe Book

Revisado: 09-10-24

I was excited to find this book by searching for African American historical fiction. I really like the genre. I also needed a respite from the ubiquitous casual references to the desirability of certain physical traits over others. This wasn't the place.

I felt the story offered a slice of Depression Era African American life in an Alabama town with a heaping helping of dysfunction and no hint of the beauty and joy. The characters weren't developed enough for readers to fully understand their choices. Most disappointing was the fact that readers were blasted with the Black characters' internalized self-loathing, colorist attitudes, and paychophantic admiration for the "hillbilly" characters without nuance. it was as if all their class awareness flew out of the window in the face of whiteness. I'm from Alabama and grew up around elders who would've been this age, so I know that's not the case.

The male narrator was okay, but sounded as if he was just calling words at some points. The woman narrator was better, but wasn't a convincing middle class Black woman from rural Alabama.

This was my first Mary Monroe book. I'll try one more and hope for better.

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Well, Werk

Revisado: 09-05-24

Insightful, wise, sometimes biting, sardonic, truth telling, bawdy, faithful, courageous, sad, and humorous, this work was excellent. I learned so much about a person with different experiences and perspectivea than my own. It's not always an easy listen, but it's so engaging, I highly recommend it. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us, Billy Porter.

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Lovely and Riveting and Hard

Revisado: 07-15-24

I appreciate having access to this book. I read part of it before, but I didn't finish it. So glad I did. The author deals with heavy subjects in the most beautiful prose. ❤️❤️

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Review from a Fellow Danseur Noire

Revisado: 05-07-24

I love the same things as the author, dance, art, literature, and music. I appreciated the historical fiction, genealogical, performing arts mashup this book is. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

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I ❤️ 💛💚 Bob Marley

Revisado: 03-20-24

I'm a fan of oral history and I love Bob Marley, so I liked this meticulous account of his life. I like that the author didn't shy away from Marley's complexities and contradictions.

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Very Interesting

Revisado: 03-09-24

Vivid storytelling, full of emotion without being sappy or melodramatic. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Social Justice Self-Love Romance

Revisado: 02-06-24

Can we coin a new term? I really liked how reflective the author was in writing this novel! Good reading for book clubs and beach goers. My only quibble is that I wasn't so very into the puzzle storyline. Otherwise, a GREAT story.

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Cute and Steamy Love Story

Revisado: 01-31-24

I liked this story a lot. it was modern and fun without being saccharine or empty. the author made the story interesting without omitting or avoiding key sociopolitical themes. I appreciated how the writing was actively inclusive in a myriad of ways.

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I ♥️ Historical Fiction

Revisado: 01-21-24

I really liked this historial fiction story. I appreciated the use of multiple storylines. I also like the themes the author engaged in terms of gender, social class, educational attainment, race, ethnicity, locale, and family relations.

The only reason why I did not give the piece five stars across the board was due to what I believe may have been unconscious bias. I use Audible's fiction stories as a momentary escape from the pervasiveness of social marginalization. I try to avoid stories that could reinforce feelings of self-loathing. The author put a lot of emphasis on positively describing blue eyes. Descriptions of hazel eyes came in a distant second. Brown eyes were an afterthought at best. I think it's extremely important to make an effort to appreciate human beauty in all its varied forms. Otherwise, I would have given this story a 100%/A+.

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Chef's Kiss

Revisado: 12-11-23

I loved this story, which the author manages to impart with tension while avoiding pathology. I liked that the characters were relatively healthy, self-reflective, educated, professional, loving, and giving. I was waiting for. little action beyond the kissing, but I'm not greedy. 😃

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