Linden Hills (Contemporary American Fiction Series) [Paperback]

Gloria Naylor (Author)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary American Fiction Series | Publication Date: March 4, 1986

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".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (March 4, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140088296
• ISBN-13: 978-0140088298
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A unique and original novel  I wholeheartedly recommend it., October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Linden Hills (Contemporary American Fiction Series) (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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shocking! Explosive! Gritty and Compelling, July 20, 2000

By 

Tolonda Westbrook - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linden Hills (Contemporary American Fiction Series) (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Layers of hell, May 3, 2002

By 

Genevieve M. Ellerbee (Alexandria, Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linden Hills (Contemporary American Fiction Series) (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.