The Chinaberry Tree: Selected Writings (Northeastern Library of Black Literature) [Paperback]

Jessie Redmon Fauset (Author), Marcy Knopf (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Northeastern Library of Black Literature | Publication Date: January 18, 1995

This novel by the author of Plum Bun and There is Confusion focuses on the lives of the beautiful Laurentine Strange and her vivacious younger cousin, Melissa Paul, in the early part of this century. The volume also includes a selection of Jessie Redmon Fauset's nonfiction writings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (January 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555532071
• ISBN-13: 978-1555532079
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beauty and Depth, Mixed with a bit of Sentimental Triteness, April 24, 2007

By 

Eichendorff "Eichendorff" (Fort Wayne, IN, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Chinaberry Tree: A Novel of American Life (African American Women Writers) (Paperback)

Generally, people consider "Plum Bun" to be Fauset's finest novel, and it probably is--but nonetheless, "The Chinaberry Tree" is my personal favorite. Partly this is because of the setting of the novel, a small New Jersey town, not "the back of beyond," but still slightly provincial, more intimately close-knit than cities are, less anonymous.... This setting really comes alive in the novel as Fauset lovingly paints a myriad of pictures and evokes the distinct atmosphere of different houses and their backyards. She expends just as much energy gradually building the characters, showing them in intimate detail until we feel we truly know them. These characters, with their jealousies, loneliness, wounded pride, need to belong, anxieties, and awkwardnesses come across as quite real--very few are "types," most are flesh-and-blood characters that seem at once strangely familiar and completely individual and unique.
The novel incorporates spiritual themes such as individualism vs. community, the role of Providence in our lives, dealing with one's own and others' shortcomings, avoiding bitterness in a harsh and unjust world.... It is a rich and complex piece of literature. Its main flaw is that at various points, it does give in to sentimental clichés, always teetering between truly first-rate writing and a more second-rate quality. In any case, though, this novel is worthwhile.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth behind cursed families and family secrets, August 14, 2005

By 

A.J. Hills "Bibliothecaire" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chinaberry Tree: Selected Writings (Northeastern Library of Black Literature) (Paperback)

Another success by Jessie Redmon Fauset, small towns can breed small mentalities but also good-natured folks as well. This story was based on a child being born from an extra-marital affair that included love, devotion and mixed ethnicity. The community did not accept the child nor the family. Accusation, secrets and misunderstanding surrounded them. This hostile environment was overwhelming but still the family managed to find success and happiness.