Customer Reviews

Gwendolyn Brooks' Maud Martha: A Critical Collection (English and English Edition)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just a brief word of warning, as of March 2004 Amazon's title for this includes the words Critical *EDITION* which is a bit misleading (the actual title is a Critical *COLLECTION*). Semantics perhaps, but EDITION implies that the full text of the novel is included here, which it is not. This is a collection of essays about Brooks' "Maud Martha" but IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ACTUAL NOVEL. Felt that should be pointed out so other buyers don't make the same mistake I did. Otherwise, this is a fine assembly of ten diverse criticisms from an eclectic and well-informed base of authors.

Written in 1953, Maud Martha was the first and only novel to be released by the late poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Although written over 50 years ago, the story and its heroine, Maud Martha Brown, continues to have a strong impact in the literary world today. Edited by Jacqueline Bryant, a series of writers offer a critical perspective in GWENDOLYN BROOKS' MAUD MARTHA: A CRITICAL COLLECTION.

A collection of ten chapters, this book is comprised of writers from many different backgrounds offer their own perspective on Brooks' novel. With supporting evidence, each contributor presents their unique perspective exploring various topics from the story's social themes to the heroine herself. Several interesting criticisms include Larry Andrew's "The Aliveness of Things: Nature in Maud Martha," Dolores Kendrick's "Brooksian Poetic Elegance," and D.H. Melhem's "Maud Martha, Bronzeville Boys and Girls".

Although geared towards supporting the book on a college level, MAUD MARTHA: A CRITICAL COLLECTION offers varying perspectives on Brooks' tale. This collection will open your eyes to new views and allow you to see Maud Martha in a whole new light.

Reviewed by Kanika A. Wade
THE RAWSISTAZ Reviewers