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"The Women of Brewster Place" by Gloria Naylor


PUBLISHED DATE: 1983

ISBN: 978-0340329733

PAGES: 192

I don't know how many times I have read this, and to be honest I do not care. Mother Naylor passed away on October 3 and read this book again, crying all the way through it.

This book is an epic love story. An epic love story of black women loving each other, and uplifting each other, and being there for each other...they tear each other down too....the it is the love that catches me in the chest every time.

The story is weaved through the lives of seven black women who live in a housing project on the dilapidated street, Brewster Place. Mattie Michael, Etta Mae Johnson, Lucielia "Ciel" Turner, Melanie "Kiswana" Browne, Cora Lee, Lorraine, and Theresa break from the pages as fierce goddesses held back by the trappings of poverty, colorism, and sexism. This book is a literary classic, and deserves all of the acclaim, awards, and cult following it has received. In 1989, powerhouse Oprah Winfrey brought this beautiful love letter to the small screen. I can remember as a small child watching it and feeling emotional. I have watched it many times, and I still get emotional. This TV mini series stays pretty true to the book, and love for the book is sprinkled all over the script, set, and characters. If you haven't read this book or seen this movie, do yourself a favor and treat yo'self!

Recommendation: Required!

Audience: Millenials and Beyond (Even though...full disclosure...I watched this movie and read this book as a child, and it changed me. So...for the right young person, this could be "the book".)

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