The Matter Is Life [Paperback]

J. California Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 1992

A fourth collection of stories by the award-winning author.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cooper's exuberant talent, displayed so effectively in Family , is somewhat muted in this uneven collection of eight deceptively simple slice-of-life parables. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The first of eight stories in this collection focuses on a funeral but affirms life. Almost every speech uttered by the 90-year-old narrator contains the words, "I ain't ready." Luxuriating in the love of her extensive family, she tells God and all the world that she is not ready to die. Later stories deal with poverty, abusive husbands, drug addiction, and prostitution, but even these grim situations yield nurturing down-home wisdom. Most of Cooper's first-person narrators are shrewd black women, and on occasion the stories suffer from sameness in plots, themes, and characters. Usually, however, they are touching without falling into sentimentality and totally honest without becoming crude.
- Albert E. Wilhelm, Tennessee Technological Univ., Cookeville
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (September 13, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038541174X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385411745
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. California Cooper was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and has received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She lives in California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anything she writes, I'll read!, November 4, 1999

By 

K. Lee (bronx, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Matter Is Life (Paperback)

J. California Cooper has a way of making each of her characters come alive. She reminds me of a modern day O. Henry; mixing irony, real life, and struggle into a story that inspires laughter and sometimes tears. While reading you'll get the feeling that this author is someone you would love to have in your life and any books that make you feel this special are worth it. I've bought all of her books and my only regret is that there aren't more for me to read. You'll find yourself re-reading her books just so you can get a healthy dose of J. California Cooper.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction to J. California Cooper, April 28, 2000

By 

Tourmaline (ATL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matter Is Life, The (Hardcover)

I read this book about 6 years ago. This was the first book that I had ever read by J. California Cooper and it is also what made me a fan of her writing. Cooper had a style of writing that I was not used to, but I got accustomed to it quick. This book of short stories is full of lessons that give insight on life. While I enjoyed all of the other books that I read by Cooper, this one was my favorite.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Matter Is Life, April 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Matter Is Life (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful mosaic of characters, perspectives, and lifestyles. I've always seen Cooper's books in the store, but didn't pick one up until "The Matter is Life." I haven't been able to put the book down and am looking forward to picking up more of her short story collections.