Customer Reviews

The Big Mama Stories

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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I recently picked up this book at the library and I must say that the best things really do come in small packages. I laughed a lot and even cried a little. Being a black woman and having spent a few years of my upbringing surrounded by family in the South, I could relate to so much of what Ms. Youngblood wrote about. Even now, visiting my relatives conjures up bittersweet memories of a very complicated time in our nation's history. Her stories were right on the money in describing the strength of black women and is a tribute to Big Mamas everywhere, including mine.

Big Mama Stories are a wonderful collection of short stories with a southern backgrround. The stories identify southern women of long ago that we need. Some with education, most with limited formal education but lots of savy, guts, and wisdom to surive.Some are humorous, some suspensful, other sad. Its a must and easy rea.d A real salute to Agrican American ordinary women oof yesterday.

I was raised by a grandmother from the South and I found this book to be very reflective of not only the language and culture of the 1960's but of my life growing up in the 80's as well. The short stories were beautifully written and while even though some of them are no more than one or two sentences long this book stands out in my head as one of the most all-American books of all time, akin to Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" novel.

From a series of short stories one gains a collage of life in this "project town". The stories are filled with humor and an underlying current of resilience and hope. Definitely a great American novel and one of the best works of the Harlem Renaissance! Definitely recommended reading...