Like One of the Family: Conversations from a Domestic's Life by Alice Childress

Nov 09, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: black-lit, feminism, standalone

Originally published as a serial in African-American papers in the 1950s this series of monologue-style short stories are all in the voice of Mildred--a daytime maid for white families in New York City. The monologues are all addressed to her best friend and downstairs neighbor, Marge, who is also a maid. The stories range from encounters with southern relatives of moderately minded employers to picnics threatened by the Ku Klux Klan to more everyday occurrences such as a dance that went bad and...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Mr. Woodnal rated it 3 of 5 stars

I picked this up after reading a series of articles on The Help in Entertainment Weekly. The articles focused on some of the more socially problematic elements of the book (and film), essentially because it is another story where a white savior provides freedom for a collection of oppressed black folk (a la Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird). Entertainment Weekly suggested Childress's novel as an authentic voice written by an African American woman within the time period in which it is set....more I picked this up after reading a series of articles on The Help in Entertainment Weekly. The articles focused on some of the more socially problematic elements of the book (and film), essentially because it is another story where a white savior provides freedom for a collection of oppressed black folk (a la Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird). Entertainment Weekly suggested Childress's novel as an authentic voice written by an African American woman within the time period in which it is set. On those fronts, it soars. Through more than sixty monologues, Childress creates a smart and sassy character in Mildred, an unwed African American woman in New York who works as a domestic for the city's upper class white families. While the Mildred's homeland in the South battles desegregation, she combats a much more insidious form of racism, like the employer who carries her pocketbook around with her whenever Mildred cleans her home which prompts Mildred to claim, "'I understand. 'Cause if I paid anybody as little as you pay me, I'd hold my pocketbook too.'"

The comedic responses like this are often coupled with some down-home learnin' doled out by good ole' Mildred herself, and the elitist whites all too often come down off their pedestals to see eye to eye with the narrator, like when one woman asks Mildred for her health card and Mildred turns right around to ask for health cards of the woman, her husband, and her children. Yet in moments like this the story devolves a bit into the realm of unbelievable. I found myself wondering how often Mildred loses a job because of her sass (a plot line explored thoroughly in The Help actually), and how often their political and social views are changed by her self-assurance. Due to the dramatic monologue structure, some of these character and plot elements are never fully realized, and much of those pieces are what makes The Help so engaging as an overall narrative.

This is unfortunately where the book falls short though. In focusing solely on Mildred's voice as she sits and chats with her neighbor and friend Marge every night, there is really no thorough narrative; this is really just a lengthy character sketch. The introduction to the novel suggests that the chapters were originally serialized in various periodicals, and in isolation I'm sure they come across far less preachy than they do in totality. The true merit here is in Childress disproving the myth of the passive and accommodating black woman of the 1950s: when Mildred tells Marge, "I don't want anybody toleratin' me because the word tolerate is tied up with so many unpleasant things," for example, she channels a twenty-first racial sensibility five decades early. This makes the book readable, but the lack of a through plot here left me wanting more.(less)

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May 25, 2012 Taylor Mccafferty rated it 5 of 5 stars

The format of this book took a little getting used to; it's written as dramatic monologues, but as soon as you get the hang of it, you see what a gem of a book it is. Mildred's voice rings true as if you've somehow become her friend Marge and you'll find yourself laughing, sighing, and thinking, most importantly. Mildred's not afraid to share her exact opinion on things, and it will inspire you to do the same. Her thoughts and opinions are also years ahead of her time - this book was written in...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Johnny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: african-american-protagonist, female-protagonist, new-york, fiction, historical

I picked this up after reading a series of articles on The Help in Entertainment Weekly. The articles focused on some of the more socially problematic elements of the book (and film), essentially because it is another story where a white savior provides freedom for a collection of oppressed black folk (a la Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird). Entertainment Weekly suggested Childress's novel as an authentic voice written by an African American woman within the time period in which it is set....more I picked this up after reading a series of articles on The Help in Entertainment Weekly. The articles focused on some of the more socially problematic elements of the book (and film), essentially because it is another story where a white savior provides freedom for a collection of oppressed black folk (a la Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird). Entertainment Weekly suggested Childress's novel as an authentic voice written by an African American woman within the time period in which it is set. On those fronts, it soars. Through more than sixty monologues, Childress creates a smart and sassy character in Mildred, an unwed African American woman in New York who works as a domestic for the city's upper class white families. While the Mildred's homeland in the South battles desegregation, she combats a much more insidious form of racism, like the employer who carries her pocketbook around with her whenever Mildred cleans her home which prompts Mildred to claim, "'I understand. 'Cause if I paid anybody as little as you pay me, I'd hold my pocketbook too.'"

The comedic responses like this are often coupled with some down-home learnin' doled out by good ole' Mildred herself, and the elitist whites all too often come down off their pedestals to see eye to eye with the narrator, like when one woman asks Mildred for her health card and Mildred turns right around to ask for health cards of the woman, her husband, and her children. Yet in moments like this the story devolves a bit into the realm of unbelievable. I found myself wondering how often Mildred loses a job because of her sass (a plot line explored thoroughly in The Help actually), and how often their political and social views are changed by her self-assurance. Due to the dramatic monologue structure, some of these character and plot elements are never fully realized, and much of those pieces are what makes The Help so engaging as an overall narrative.

This is unfortunately where the book falls short though. In focusing solely on Mildred's voice as she sits and chats with her neighbor and friend Marge every night, there is really no thorough narrative; this is really just a lengthy character sketch. The introduction to the novel suggests that the chapters were originally serialized in various periodicals, and in isolation I'm sure they come across far less preachy than they do in totality. The true merit here is in Childress disproving the myth of the passive and accommodating black woman of the 1950s: when Mildred tells Marge, "I don't want anybody toleratin' me because the word tolerate is tied up with so many unpleasant things," for example, she channels a twenty-first racial sensibility five decades early. This makes the book readable, but the lack of a through plot here left me wanting more.(less)

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Oct 04, 2009 Ruthie Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed the main character's (Mildred) biting wit, sarcasm, and tell-it-like-it-is attitude. A bit unrealistic, however, because no worker, black or white, would probably go off on several employers like Mildred often does. But Mildred's opinions and advice often reflect the truth in the hard light of day and the dark corners of night. I love the style and format of this book: conversations (we only read Mildred's side) with her neighbor/friend, Marge. I'm inspir...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Betty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was recommended by the Association of Black Women Historians as an example of fiction that authentically portrays women who worked as domestic help. Although "preachy" at times, Mildred, the narrator, is funny, opinionated, and wise. Set in New York City, the South is never too far away from Mildred's mind.

I doubt that she would really have spoken her mind to her white employers in the way she relates, but the authenticity of what she says is never in doubt. When a white woman employe...more

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Dec 26, 2009 Kari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: grad-school

I loved this book because of its breakdown. Mildred and Marge are domestic workers; Mildred creates a counter public in Marge who listens to every story Mildred has to tell. Mildred shares are exploits of sticking it to the man or woman as it is usually. Some of Mildred's stories are embellished, but there is a truth to them. Mildred tells her employers the things all domestic workers want to say, and Marge appreciates that. The end of the novel is interesting because Mildred trades in one emplo...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I always like feisty females, and this one has a great way with words.

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Aug 24, 2011 Jessie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who liked or hated the Help

Funny, insightful, and moving--a great, and much more authentic alternative to the Help.

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Dec 19, 2011 Jenny Gruber rated it 5 of 5 stars

LOVED this book! Written as a series of conversations between the main character, Mildred, and her friend, Marge. Mildred is a domestic worker, and for those who have read The Help, I think this book provides a much better perspective. Not to mention, Mildred is freaking hilarious--and wise. Many great observations, told from Mildred's perspective, about life, friendship, dating, racism, child-rearing, and various aspects of human relations. Found myself cracking up, nodding, and or shaking my h...more

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Aug 16, 2011 Faith marked it as to-read

Shelves: auto-bio-memoir

Recommended by Assoc of Black Women Historians

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Mar 25, 2007 theri rated it 5 of 5 stars

hilarious!

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Apr 27, 2013 Irene marked it as to-read

Apr 24, 2013 Katie marked it as to-read

Apr 12, 2013 Allen Berry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 09, 2013 Alexsarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 07, 2013 Homegirl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 21, 2013 Andrea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 27, 2013 Alice marked it as to-read

Mar 24, 2013 Adriennem. marked it as to-read

Mar 24, 2013 Vivagirl marked it as to-read

Mar 17, 2013 Sarah Hankins marked it as to-read

Mar 10, 2013 Robert DuPuy marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Feb 20, 2013 Peggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: african-american

Feb 13, 2013 Beth Mcmeekin marked it as to-read

Feb 02, 2013 Melissa Kelley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 24, 2013 Tj marked it as to-read

Jan 04, 2013 Megan marked it as to-read

Dec 30, 2012 Christen Cromwell marked it as to-read

Dec 22, 2012 Evelyn marked it as to-read

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