Nothing to do but eat, sleep, and write. It took some getting used to and at first the words came in drips and drabs, like an old pipe being coaxed by a plumber’s wrench. October was upon her and the sidewalks were littered with autumn leaves and still nothing. Weeks passed and two new moons and then winter smiled its icy grin, and with the first December snow the words finally came.
(from Glorious, page 161)
Bernice L. McFadden’s novel about the Jim Crow South and the Harlem Renaissance, Glorious, is the beautifully written story of a fictional writer, Easter Bartlett, who runs from the problems in her life until she can run no longer. Her family is shattered by a seemingly innocently bet that led to the rape of her sister and the death of her mother, among other tragedies, and begins her journey out of her hometown of Waycross, Georgia.
From there, Easter makes several starts and stops on a journey that includes witnessing a gruesome lynching, joining a traveling show and becoming friends with the seductive Mama Rain, and moving to Harlem and eventually becoming a successful writer. She juggles her marriage to Colin with her strong feelings for Rain and learns a lot about love and loss, and she thinks it all might turn around when the socialite Meredith Tomas becomes her benefactress — but the bottom falls out from under her.
The book spans a lengthy period from 1910 to the early 1960s, and McFadden does an expert job weaving fact and fiction, including such famous figures Marcus Garvey, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston. I did a report on the Harlem Renaissance in high school, so right away I was drawn to this book. McFadden’s rich descriptions transport readers back in time and thrust them into the scene. Her prose is straight-forward and honest, sometimes brutally so, underscoring the hardships Easter and blacks in general endured due to racism.
Glorious really got me thinking about the issue of racism (especially since I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird yesterday), and when I read the lynching and prison scenes and the fact that Easter’s fall from success boiled down to the color of her skin, I was angry and even ashamed about these stains on our country’s history. I don’t understand how people can treat other people so horribly based on race. And it’s sad that such hatred continues to this day.
Easter is a complex character who can’t sit still each time her world is upended. McFadden shows Easter at her best and her worst, and I couldn’t help but love her, flaws and all. It’s easy to feel sorry for poor Easter, handed the short end of the stick time after time, or to wonder why she can’t stay and face her problems. But Easter has the strength to rise from the ashes and start again when most people would have given up. McFadden uses her to show us how easy it is to be consumed by hate and to let go of our dreams.
My only complaint about Glorious is its length. At 239 pages, I’d finished the book in a matter of hours, and while I was emotionally drained, I also was sad that it was over. McFadden’s writing grabbed me from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. Brilliantly crafted, Glorious is definitely among the best books I’ve read this year.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Glorious from the author for review purposes. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
This sounds like a magnificent novel. I love the fact that it is so rich in history and literary figures. And it sounds like Easter’s character is developed beautifully.
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Definitely! Hope you give it a try.
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Glad to hear you liked it so much! I started it but stopped, but it has gotten such good reviews I think I’ll have to pick it up again!
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I hope you go back and finish it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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I also really liked this book and wished it was a bit longer. Have you read Sugar yet? I thought that one was excellent as well. McFadden is an amazing author and has a way of really sucking me into her stories. Very nice review, glad you liked the book!
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Thanks! Unfortunately, I haven’t yet read Sugar, but it’s on my to-read (some day) list!
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Even though it sounds fascinating I think I’ll pass as it souds a bit too heavy.
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I must agree it’s a heavy book, but it’s such a worthwhile read. I hope maybe you’ll consider it in the future.
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I know I haven’t read this before but that line “at first the words came in drips and drabs” is definitely familiar for some reason.
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Hmm…I hadn’t heard it before, but it’s totally possible that it’s been used elsewhere.
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Wow! I love books that affect me so much. This sounds fabulous!
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I think you’d definitely enjoy (maybe not the right word, but you know what I mean) this book. Hope you get a chance to read it.
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Sounds like a good selection for book clubs. thanks for the passionate review.
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Book clubs certainly would have a lot to discuss about this book!
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A book that you think is too short is one I definitely want to read. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Lately I’ve encountered books that could have been a lot shorter. It’s great to find a gem that you wish wouldn’t end.
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I’ve heard so many good things about this author! I shall have to look into her asap! Particularly her book Sugar.
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Yes, I have heard lots of good things about Sugar and hope to read it myself at some point.
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Thanks for a very good review.
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My pleasure!
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Sounds like a stirring read; one I would also enjoy.
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I bet you would. Hope you give it a try.
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I haven’t heard of this one before, but it sounds great. I’m interested–if saddened–by this period in history, and it’s been awhile since I read a novel on the topic.
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I’ve read too few novels on the subject of racism, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights. I did study the Civil Rights movement in college, but it’s a novel like this that really brings the issues to life.
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So you wanted it to be longer 🙂 I can understand that, I just read a long book, but since I wanted more I wanted it to be longer lol
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It’s always a good thing when you want an already long book to be longer. Those are few and far between, at least in my experience.
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Your review was wonderful Anna…you captured the spirit of this book perfectly!
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Thanks very much!
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This one does sound good, I’ve seen it around and have it on my wish list. Excellent review.
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Thanks! I do hope you get a chance to read it.
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I loved this book as well and also thought it was too short. I’ve heard amazing things about her other book, SUGAR, so I’m looking forward to getting my hands on that one! Glad you liked this one, too! 🙂
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Seems like Sugar is a popular one. I must get my hands on a copy!
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This one really does sound “glorious!” I’ve only just received Ms. McFadden’s “Sugar” which I’m looking forward to reading…one of these days!
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I will keep an eye out for your review!
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Wow, sounds wonderful – touching, sad and hopeful, too. I have to admit that the shorter length has me thinking that I could read it. I find long, emotional books just too draining, sometimes.
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Emotional books can be draining but they can also be worthwhile to read. I do hope you give this one a try!
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