Everyday Use (Women Writers) [Paperback]

Alice Walker (Author), Barbara T. Christian (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

Alice Walker's early story "Everyday Use" has remained a cornerstone of her work. Her use of quilting as a metaphor for the creative legacy that African Americans inherited from their maternal ancestors changed the way we defined art, women's culture, and African American lives. By putting African American women's voices at the center of the narrative for the first time, "Everyday Use" anticipated the focus of an entire generation of black women writers. This casebook includes an introduction by the editor, a chronology of Walker's life, authoritative texts of "Everyday Use" and "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens," an interview with Walker, six critical essays, and a bibliography. The contributors are Charlotte Pierce-Baker, Houston A. Baker Jr., Thadious M. Davis, Margot Anne Kelley, John O'Brien, Elaine Showalter, and Mary Helen Washington. Barbara T. Christian is a professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; 1st edition (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813520762
• ISBN-13: 978-0813520766
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alice Walker is one of the most prolific writers of our time, known for her literary fiction, including the Pultizer Prize-winning The Color Purple, her many volumes of poetry, and her powerful nonfiction collections. Walker's most recent book is The Chicken Chronicles, a memoir. Her advocacy for the dispossessed has spanned the globe. She lives in Northern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyday Use puts a spoiled child in her place.., October 11, 2004

By 

Shazia (Houston, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everyday Use (Women Writers) (Paperback)

I think this book's imagery is amazing, and really gives you the perfect picture of the characters. Alice Walker did a great job "weaving" this story and showing us different kinds of African Americans and the heritage that is passed down with family traditions and quilts. This is definitely worth a read to all people, African American or not because we all can relate to the emotions the characters feel. This story is about a mother who was always torn between her two daughters and finally learns how to take a stand. Read it and enjoy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Walker's best short story, March 23, 2009

By 

Barbara "bcr8ive" (Ft. Myers, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Everyday Use (Women Writers) (Kindle Edition)

Everyday Use (Women Writers)

Walker's iconic short story about our changing times. I use this in several of the courses I teach. Each class ends up arguing over who is right.

14 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyday Use, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Everyday Use (Women Writers) (Paperback)

I think this book is very good to learn a lesson about hertiage. Of how you should use your hertiage in everyday use and not just hang and display it to others.