Strange Fruit: Plays on Lynching by American Women [Paperback]

Kathy A. Perkins (Editor), Judith L. Stephens (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 1998

"These lynching dramas may not present the picture that America wants to see of itself, but these visions cannot be ignored because they are grounded—not only in the truth of white racism's toxic effect on our national existence but also in the truth that there exists a contesting, collective response that is part of an on-going and continually building momentum." —Theaatre Journal

"A unique, powerful collection worthy of high school and college classroom assignment and discussion." —Bookwatch

This anthology is the first to address the impact of lynching on U.S. theater and culture. By focusing on women's unique view of lynching, this collection of plays reveals a social history of interracial cooperation between black and white women and an artistic tradition that continues to evolve through the work of African American women artists. Included are plays spanning the period 1916 to 1994 from playwrights such as Angelina Weld Grimke, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Lillian Smith, and Michon Boston.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"These lynching dramas may not present the picture that America wants to see of itself, but these visions cannot be ignored because they are grounded--not only in the truth of white racism's toxic effect on our national existence but also in the truth that there exists a contesting, collective response that is part of an on-going and continually building momentum." Theatre Journal "A unique, powerful collection worthy of high school and college classroom assignment and discussion." Bookwatch

About the Author

Kathy A. Perkins is Associate Professor of Theater at University of Illinois where she heads the Theater Lighting Design Program. She is also the author of Black Female Playwrights: An Anthology of Plays before 1950 and co-editor of Contemporary Plays by Women of Color.
Judith L. Stephens, Associate Professor of Speech Communication at Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill, serves on the executive Board of the Black Theater Network. She has published articles on women in American theater in African American Review, Theatre Journal, Theatre Annual, Text and Performance Quarterly, and The Journal of American Drama and Theater.

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (January 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253211638
• ISBN-13: 978-0253211637
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #981,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Being african american, and reading Strange Fruit...I paused, December 27, 2004

By 

Terrica M. Kidd "African American Literature ... (Portsmouth, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strange Fruit: Plays on Lynching by American Women (Paperback)

When I read Strange Fruit it was in my African American literature class at Savannah State University. Professor Waters told the class that the book might make us feel emotions that we never had. The description was so life-like and as I read it..it became ME. I started to see what the strange fruit really was. I thought it was an exotic fruit like a mango or something..but you know in a way it was an exotic fruit. A human being strung like a piece of fruit dangling from a tree for no reason. My feelings were mixed while reading this, but this play told the truth. THE REAL TRUTH; no sugar-coating. It's good to have that instead of covering up history that was so violent and unjust. Thanks Kathy