Marked by Fire [Paperback]

Joyce Carol Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

She has grown up--Abyssinia Jackson has--under a vast Oklahoma sky shaded with pecan trees and dotted by endless rows of cotton. She has the gift of song, a storyteller's talent, the love of her parents, and the affection and pride of her community.

Then a tornado hits and drives Abby's family apart. A deranged neighbor targets her for a campaign of vengeful terror. And a physical assault all but breaks her will.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lyrical celebration of black womanhood tempered by both pain and joy." -- Booklist, Starred Review

"Concerns human strength and frailty. It is a book about girls and women and the men in their lives. It tells of the best and worst time experienced by a small black community during a 20-year period...Well worth reading." -- Alice Childress, The New York Times

"I believe this to be an important first novel. Joyce Carol Thomas's characters enact the verities of human life: romance, apprehension, loss, and hope, and they perform on the author's real life stage." -- Maya Angelou

About the Author

Joyce Carol Thomas was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and now lives in California. A poet, novelist, and playwright, she has been honored with the National Book Award and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for her work. In her latest book of poetry, A Mother's Heart, A Daughter's Love: Poems for Us to Share, she reflects on the lifelong relationship between mothers and daughters.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperTempest (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038081434X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380814343
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,545,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author of more than 30 books and several plays, including the acclaimed musical "Abyssinia", internationally-renowned and best-selling African-American writer Joyce Carol Thomas was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma and now resides in Berkeley, California. A professor and teacher for over twenty years at some of the nation's most prestigious colleges, including the University of Tennessee and Purdue University, she received her Master of Arts degree from Stanford University. Joyce is a highly sought-after motivational speaker who delivers empowering speaking presentations that engage the heart, mind, and soul. In addition to speaking at colleges and universities in the United States, she has presented lectures, seminars, and workshops on creative writing and cultural studies in Nigeria, Haiti, Ecuador, Australia, Samoa, and the Mariana Islands.

Fraternities, students, administrators, alumni, and advisors schedule appearances by this eloquent and articulate Black woman when they want to ignite their campus student body and community groups about the joys of learning. How do you honor and respect your heritage while acknowledging people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds? Want proven ways to garner your best grades? Need help choosing your campus friends wisely? Ask Joyce! She fills all of her engagements with a uniquely warm, personal, and insightful sense of learning, laughter, and love.

Joyce's numerous honors and awards include the National Book Award, the American Book Award, the New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year Award, Outstanding Woman of the 20th Century Award, three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, the Center for Poets and Writers' Poet Laureate Award, Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice, the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, Book of the Month Club Selection, and many more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful story of a girl's courage and restored faith, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Marked by Fire (Paperback)

Marked By Fire moved my spirit like the tornadic winds Joyce Carol Thomas so eloquently describes. One is easily caught up in the poetic language she uses to tell the story of Abby and an entire community as they learn lessons in restoring faith, not only in God but also in themselves. In reading this book, I am reminded of the complexities of nature -- its destruction and its creation, but more compelling in the story are the complex characters she ably draws. When my book club read the book, all of the women gathered shared how easy it was to relate to the struggles of the people in the novel, especially to Abby's pain. We recommend the book for other mother-daughter book clubs, or for anyone who wants a truly human experience. Marked By Fire is just that good! And then some.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous coming of age story, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Marked by Fire (Paperback)

I like the way Joyce Carol Thomas' language sings. It is vibrant with color and emotion. Her technique is lyrical and finely woven. Her characters too are memorable. Trembling Sally, her nemesis, makes the hair stand up on your head. Mother Barker, her mentor and guide, is full drawn and echoes the wisdom of old women. Her father, named Strong, is just that, a strong character with the best qualities of African- American males as well as the limitations that we all, men and women, suffer. Marked by Fire is an American novel flavored by African-American culture. Marked by Fire can be enjoyed by all: women, men, and folks of all persuasions.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It is beautifully written but confusing, January 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Marked by Fire (Paperback)

Joyce has great technique but leaves out what I think is most important which is descibed emotions. Also, she jumps around and doesn't complete a situation. For example, she speaks of a women with an over due baby and never tells what happened to her. Other than that she shows great intelligence and hard work. She makes each of her charaters unique. I love the courage inside of Abby.