Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.