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Thursday, June 17, 2010

'Glorious" by Bernice McFadden + 2 autographed copies giveaway


 From Bernice McFadden's website:
Glorious is set against the backdrops of the Jim Crow South, the Harlem Renaissance, and the civil rights era. Blending the truth of American history with the fruits of Bernice L. McFadden’s rich imagination, this is the story of Easter Venetta Bartlett, a fictional Harlem Renaissance writer whose tumultuous path to success, ruin, and revival offers a candid portrait of the American experience in all its beauty and cruelty.Glorious is ultimately an audacious exploration into the nature of self-hatred, love, possession, ego, betrayal, and, finally, redemption.






My Thoughts:

I found myself contemplating Easter's life for hours after finishing this book. I admired her strength and her determination not to give up on life and to try to forgive the evil ways of others, whom she trusted and loved,  that would directly influence the route her life would eventually take. I also found myself becoming angry and feeling very ignorant of American history. In the beginning of the novel, the reader is confronted with a lynching that will turn your stomach. It is so gruesome and revolting that you may find yourself unable to continue on with the story. The images of those words were visible in my mind, and I felt the sheer terror of Mary Turner, the young woman who was lynched.. I couldn't believe that a human would perpetrate such a heinous act on another human. I confirmed with Bernice that this lynching DID occur and this part in her novel is historically accurate. Which brings me to what this book is about....this is a story of America and a time period and people, that is never really given much attention. The Harlem Renaissance??? What was that??? I learned about it on my own by reading! I've heard of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, but I never really delved into that period of history. McFadden's book takes you there, to New York, to the backroom parlors of rich white people who liked the "idea" of being a benefactor to an aspiring black author. This story is rich in history, rich in characters, and absolutely stunning. Easter became a woman that I cherished and she has rooted herself in my heart. I will hold her there because she touched me on a personal level with her story.

I honestly don't think that I can do justice to this book with my words. I'm an emotional reader and that is how I connect with books. I don't delve into the hidden meanings or the layers within the story. I react to the human responses and gauge books by what type of connection it made with me. In the end, I was emotionally vested in Easter's life and will keep her story alive in my mind for some time to come.

I would absolutely recommend this book as a book club pick. There is much to discuss and O Magazine choose Glorious as a Book to Watch for in May. Please click here to read O Magazine's review and also for a Reading Guide.



I would like to thank Bernice for sending me a review copy of Glorious. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel. For more about Bernice L. McFadden and her books please take a moment and visit her website.




Bernice has also graciously offered 2 autographed copies of Glorious.
If you would like the opportunity to read this book please leave your email address in the comments. 
Open to U.S. residents only..open until July 1st and then 2 winners will announced. 
Thank you as always for taking the time to visit and to read and comment on my thoughts!

22 comments:

  1. I'm glad you made it through. I think she is a wonderful writer but the subject matter of this one is so hard for me to get through. Don't enter me; I already have it, and intend to try to again when I'm feeling stronger emotionally!

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  2. Oh yes, please enter me in the contest! sidewalkshoes2 AT gmail DOT com

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  3. Wow!! That sounds like one AMAZING book!! I would love to be entered in the drawing!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  4. No need to enter me as I already have the book and will be reading it very soon. I actually wrote a report about the Harlem Renaissance in 7th or 8th grade, having learned about it in a book I'd read on my own. I don't remember a whole lot about it, so it'll be nice to get a refresher. And thanks for the warning about the gruesome lynching scene. I still can't believe that such horrible things occurred.

    --Anna

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  5. I'm currently listening to The Help, and I was unable to partipate in the Classics Circuit Harlem Renaissance theme because I knew nothing about it. Much as I don't like reading really violent scenes, I feel like I need to educate myself more on this aspect of American history. Put me down for the giveaway.

    jagreensmith@yahoo.com

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  6. The lynching would be hard to read about, knowing that it is based on truth. The Harlem Renaissance is an interesting time that I know a little about, but not enough.

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  7. Great review Staci. Don't enter me as I'll be reading it soon. I just wanted to say that I really like books that get me so emotionally invested in the story. While this sounds kind of hard to read, I think it'll be one I'll be drawn to.

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  8. I am an emotional read as well and how I react and connect to the characters determines (for me) whether the book goes on my "that was really good" list.

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  9. I want to read this one based off your review alone. Sounds like a wonderful read so please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

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  10. This sounds like a story I would enjoy. You did a great review and I would like to enter!

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  11. Sounds like an amazing book. I'm reading The Boy Next Door right now - it's just lovely!

    Please enter me in the giveaway!
    Mari.partyka@gmail.com

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  12. I knew very little about the Harlem Renaissance until I participated in the Classic Circuit. One of the books I read for it was a good YA called Harlem Stomp by Laban Hill. This period fascinates me and at the same time repels me. I'm not sure I would be able to get through Glorious. I'm afraid I'm an emotional and squeamish reader.

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  13. would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  14. would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  15. Tee Hee! Your question "Harlem Renaissance??? What was that???" was my sentiment exactly. I love learning through fiction, so this sounds like a good fit. I saw it on Oprah's Book List, but didn't know anybody that read it. Thanks for the push. :)

    Please add me to your giveaway.

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  16. I read this book a couple of months ago and truly loved it! That history is quite a shocker.

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  17. Staci what a fabulous review. While I am fairly up on Black History and love teaching about the Harlem Renaissance, you passion for this book makes me want to read it now! Thanks.

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  18. I have seen many great reviews on this book. I'd love to read it.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  19. Great review. You never know when you see a book all over the place if it's really any good. Glad to see this one lives up to the hype! Please enter me: JDQ1175@aol.com

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  20. I found your review to be intriguing and one that I would take pleasure in reading.

    Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Yes, I would like to win an autographed copy of Glorious. I have been a fan of Bernice MacFadden for many years. Thank you for hosting this giveway.

    Karen J

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  22. I am reading Glorious right now, I started last night and din't want to go to sleep. You know this is a special copy as I bought it at Marcus Books in Oaklad and saw Jill Scott on the same night, so I will be keeping this copy forever. Although, I would like to have it autographed by you or win an autograph copy. Your writing is so wonderful and full of such description, I am hooked. Thank you very much for sharing your gift with us.

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