Customer Reviews

The Richer, the Poorer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Would-be writers would do well to read this collection of seemingly simple stories and sketches. It takes great talent and understanding to write such effortless, fluid prose. Once you've read the short stories, the reminiscences are a fascinating reflection of how an author mines her own life experiences to create art. As well, this pioneer of black literature has painted historical mini-portraits of life for so many people -- some of whom were born to slavery and freed within the author's own lifetime. It's too easy to forget that not so very long ago, black people weren't even considered citizens, but merely property. This is a lovely book, a prime example of elegantly simple writing. Highly recommended.

This collection of short stories were interesting to read.Some were intriguing,others were okay, and some were suspenful.I enjoyed her writing about middle and upper middle class African Americans that are often neglected in popular literature. Some pieces were autobiographical but they span from the 1920s -1980s.Provides the reader with an intereting insight to an African AmericanNew Englander's perspectives but ultimately illustates that we are all part of the human community.This is good reading for a rainy day, a snowy day, or any day!

I have mixed feelings about Ms. West's novels. On the one hand, she writes remarkable well about the human condition and even her shortest stories translate into volumes in the mind. On the other hand Ms. West's constant references to skin color and class are contrived and nauseating. It make on e think that maybe she hated her own warm brown skin. These stories are interesting. Some are underdeveloped mostly because she was so very young when she penned them. It's a worthwhile book but it didn't make me a fan.

i really didnt like this book, and thought that it would be better than what it would have been.

i really didnt like this book, and thought that it would be better than what it would have been.