Pretty Fire (Drama, Plume) [Paperback]

Charlayne Woodard (Author)

Book Description

Series: Drama, Plume | Publication Date: February 1, 1995

In five autobiographical vignettes, Charlayne Woodard tells of her premature birth; of growing up with her sister in Albany, New York; of Ku Klux Klan riders burning a cross in her grandparents' town in Georgia; and other tales of her African-American family's survival through three generations of love, struggle, and triumph. This humorous and touching one-woman tour de force won NAACP Theatre Awards for Best Play and Best Playwright.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Winner of the Los Angeles Critics Circle Award, Pretty Fire consists of five autobiographical vignettes that begin with Woodard's premature birth and end with her first solo performance in her church's junior choir, the event that set her career as a performer in motion. And quite a performer she is. Like the best of storytellers, Woodard picks out the essential elements of a scene and uses her voice as a tool: whispering about secrets, imitating the residents of her grandparents' neighborhood, even bursting into song. She practically jumps out of the tape player. L.A. Theatre Works records in front of a live audience, and, in this production, the laughter and quiet spells contribute to funny and poignant moments, giving one the feeling of a live experience. A pure joy and highly recommended.
-Adrienne Furness, Genesee Community Coll., Batavia, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

A remarkable feat of writing and performing. -- Los Angeles Times --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Plume (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452273854
• ISBN-13: 978-0452273856
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,801,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story that takes everyone on a journey into themselves, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pretty Fire (Drama, Plume) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful play for monologues. Charlayne is gifted as a writer and shares childhood...the good along with the bitter side without getting bitter or getting on a soap box. The response from the reader, and the audience when seen in the theatre, is one of breathtaking emotions as we see what Charlayne had to overcome from birth to age 11. Not only that, she does it with style, dignity and pizaaz. I wished I had had her mother and grandmother. I decided her grandfathers were wonderful as well. When you finish "Pretty Fire" you want to read the sequel and you certainly must realize that like Shakespeare, it's meant to be seen on the stage.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Fire, April 9, 2011

By 

Keisha - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pretty Fire - Acting Edition (Paperback)

It was an interesting look at serious events through the innocent eyes of a child. All performed by one woman.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quilt of life, November 3, 2009

By 

Makeda Peterson w/Phenomenal Women Book Club (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Fire - Acting Edition (Paperback)

I had an opportunity to hear Ms. Woodard read "Pretty Fire" on an audiobook and love ever second of it. It was highly entertaining and the words were woven to tell touching heartfelt stories from the author's life. I listened to the audiobook while at work and had to try to control my outburst of laughing and to keep from crying. I'm sure many people can relate to the memories shared in this play and I will definitely share it with other lovers of words.