Customer Reviews

Tambourines to Glory: A Novel (Harlem Moon Classics)

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In a way, this is a strange book. It's the story of two very different friends, threading the way of God for very different reasons. Essie is a born singer, she had never thought about preaching God's word, but when Laure suggests to start a storefront church in order to earn some money, something happens inside Essie. Her mystic soul surfaces and her singing really moves people - although hardly moves herself, who has always been a very calm person. Laura is the one moving things around, she's the one who makes everything move - words, people, money - the one who turns the little storefront church into a big church, drawn by Essie's mystic voice. And although Laura doesn't believes a single word she says, Essie is surprise of how many people actually find God through her.

The story starts out in a funny way, like a joke, nearly. It's light-hearted, it moves fast and cheerfull... until things become more serious. The more the two friends have success, the more things get dark around them, until by the end they'll discover the darkest part of their very soul.

As so many of Huges's stories, this is one where defeat and victory mix. The story that starts out so joyously, ends in a dark, tragic way, and still there's light in that darkness. Not even the evil and passivity lurking in the soul of his characters can bend and destroy them, they always find strength inside themselves. They are never truly defeated. And that's what I love in this story too.

I actually borrowed the audio of this book from the library, but I have to say this was an excellent story and kept me interested throughout. Langston Hughes is obviously a classic and superb writer and I love how he plays with words. It's hard to explain, but it's as if he is writing a riddle at certain points, but it's actually narration with double meanings. The spicy story of good wrestles evil was riveting! It included great humor, honesty, historical/religious references, murder and love all wrapped up in one. I really enjoyed this story immensely and I believe you will too. I look forward to reading more books by Langston Hughes.

I must say that this is the second novel of Langston Hughes and it greatly shows how he perfected his craft. Not that the first (Not without Laughter) wasn't good. It was level to this one except that the comedic timing is on par. I read it in 2 days and laughed all the way through. Not a waste of time.