Linden Hills is an exclusive private residential estate in America. Intended as a symbol of black equality, it is in fact an infernal place, and the layers of hypocrisy and self-destruction which are its foundation become exposed. The author's other novels include "The Women of Brewster Place".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
In this thought-provoking and beautifully written novel, Gloria Naylor explores complex issues of social class within the parameters of a black affluent community. While on the outside the residents of Linden Hills seem to revel in the glamorous lifestyles and social status they work so hard to obtain, the reality is quite different. Naylor allows the reader a glimpse behind the Porches and the Beverly Hills style mansions into the souls of several Linden Hills residents. With each one of their stories we begin to understand the price paid for material success. Naylor makes some interesting connections between the accumulation of wealth and loss of racial identity. A unique and original novel - I wholeheartedly recommend it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was the second novel of Gloria Naylor's that was assigned to me by Dr.Taylor-Thompson(Texas Southern U.) and at first I found it to be a strange and complex book. I often talked with Dr.Thompson to make sure I was getting the point. To my surprise I was and started to enjoy the book once I realized what was going on. The story I've been told mirrors that of Amiri Baraka's(LeRoi Jones)Dante's Inferno, which I also plan to read.
What I found so compelling about this story was how the residence seem to believe they were nothing if they didn't live on certain streets within Linden Hills, an affluent African American suburb. They were educated, money hunger and strange all in one. Willie the main character and narrator, along with his bestfriend Lester take us on a journey beyond the walls of these strange peoples homes and into their lives for an unforgettable experience. They introduce us to people like Luther Nedeed, Willa Prescott-Nedeed, Xavier Donnell, Rev.Michael T.Hollis and Laurel Dumont to name a few. What the story reveals is greed, the need for power and more power and the hierachy of what they believed life to truly be. I'm planning and looking forward to reading this book again. Naylor's style of writing maybe complex at first but, you'll soon get over that and find the book very thought-provoking. You'll then be hooked ready to read her other wondeful novels. I recommend this book to all, especially english teachers in middle school and beyond for their students
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this book for an AP english class my senior year of high school, shortly after we had read _The Inferno_. It's a very beautiful book, although indeed sometimes the gorgeous writing is describing some very painful things. Naylor seems to have the ability to delineate her character's inner self with very revealing language - the pastor who serves his flock but also is an alcoholic, the young gay man who must marry a woman or risk losing a prosperous future. The story deals with how people trap themselves, put themselves into hell - the Satan-figure hardly needs to act to ensnare them because they're too busy snaring themselves. Very powerful, very moving, very good book that reads smoothly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it
I find this book quite interesting. Some parts of the book can be confusing but its interesting enough to keep you reading until the end. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Trish
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what I asked for...
The Linden Hills book arrived just when I needed it and was refreshingly a brand new book. There were no page markings or folded pages.
Published 7 months ago by Sym
4.0 out of 5 stars
All that glitters is not gold
This is a tale of affluent Black America and its complex duality of life. The essence of this story is "all that glitters is not gold", displays itself constantly. Read more
Published 14 months ago by AfrenuHealth
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Black Version of 'The Stepford Wives'
This book reminded me of a black version of The Stepford Wives. It is an allegorical tale of an upper class black community, mythical in quality, that is populated by people that... Read more
Published on May 21, 2009 by Bonnie Brody
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creepy and Addictive
Linden Hills is one of the creepiest books I've read, and certainly one of the most enjoyable. Gloria Naylor is a beautiful writer, hands down. Read more
Published on April 11, 2006 by Book Maven
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Genuine Classic on Social Class
This novel stands far above most contemporary American literature. It's an intricate, smoothly allegorical warning about the dangers of climbing our society's class ladder. Read more
Published on July 31, 2003 by Fred Zappa
4.0 out of 5 stars
Home is Where Your Hell Is
Borrowing its theme and structure from Dante's Inferno, Gloria Naylor's Linden Hills deals with the destructive path of upwardly mobile suburban blacks as they plunge into a world... Read more
Published on November 23, 2002 by Jessica Hope Whiteside
5.0 out of 5 stars
Making it to the top?
Although this book is the followup to Dante's Inferno, I read it first. It is a haunting tale of black people making it to the top. The protagonist in this story is Luther Nedeed. Read more
Published on August 2, 2002 by StylishCurvyGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
STAY REAL AND KEEP THE CROSSOVER....
This novel is a harrowing, breathtaking description of what can happen when individuals allow their dreams to become deferred to someone or something other than themselves and how... Read more
Published on July 7, 2001 by Lorrie Irby
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Complex Novel Based on Dante's Inferno
Naylor's work is genius, but to truly enjoy it, readers must first check out Dante's Inferno. Linden Hills parallels this book, describing the nine levels of Hell that exist in... Read more
Published on December 5, 2000 by Shannon M Maguire
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