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50th out of 55 books
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Best African American Fiction: 2009
by
Gerald Early
Introducing the first volume in an exciting new annual anthology featuring the year’s most outstanding fiction by some of today’s finest African American writers.
From stories that depict black life in times gone by to those that address contemporary issues, this inaugural volume gathers the very best recent African American fiction. Created during a period of electrifying ...more
From stories that depict black life in times gone by to those that address contemporary issues, this inaugural volume gathers the very best recent African American fiction. Created during a period of electrifying ...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
January 13th 2009
by Bantam
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This is a great collection of short stories and excerpts that I believe should not be segregated as "African American" but as great examples of contemporary American literature. Obviously, I know that the editors did not have that in mind when putting together this collection (somehow the first of its status), but I hope that readers don't box in the stories as has been done countless times in survey courses. (How often has there been a strange break in a literature course where, sud...more
I have been reading more short stories these days. Not a genre I have ever really been drawn to. However, I have been trying to read more "deeply." Meaning, appreciating and understanding writing on other levels.(This all comes from my Narrative Medicine work) ANYWAY, I have been referred to things I've never read before and here I am. This has been a very interesting book. I I fell in love with 2 excerpts from novels, Dark Reflections by Samuel R. Delany and The Brief Wondrous Life Of...more
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A decent collection--as with all of these it is hit and miss. I am really not a fan of novel excerpts, but I think I will check out Samuel R. Delany and "Elijah of Buxton."
Short stories: I liked Helen Elaine Lee and Amina Gautier the most, while Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie;s "Cell One" was also enjoyable.
Boo on the editors for not including the author bios--you have to go to a website. Of course the editor's biographies are printed, they are more importan...more
Short stories: I liked Helen Elaine Lee and Amina Gautier the most, while Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie;s "Cell One" was also enjoyable.
Boo on the editors for not including the author bios--you have to go to a website. Of course the editor's biographies are printed, they are more importan...more
Seriously enjoyed it. I learned about authors I had not previously been exposed to including: Tiphanie Yanique, Chris Abani, Amina Gautier, and Michael Thomas.
I read all the short fiction and one novel excerpt. Excellent stories every one. I think the one that will linger the longest is This Kind of Red by Helen Elaine Lee. I'll have to look for her other writings.
If they are not playing for intellectual doggy treats, black authors (when they are black authors) have this non-committal way about fiction...that really must be in the old 'slave' tradition of disguising escape plans within gospel lyrics. They play both sides, so everyone is content to think we're still singing about glory....
I'm flipping through it. Read ZZ Packer and Chris Abani.
Good way to learn about some new authors.
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