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226th out of 632 books
—
321 voters
I Been in Sorrow's Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots
by
Susan Straight (Goodreads Author)
"Straight's portrayal of a black woman's life is nearly miraculous in its astonishing richness of detail, its emotional honesty and its breadth of human thought and feeling." -- USA Today
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
July 15th 1993
by Anchor
(first published 1992)
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Marietta grew up in the Low Country of South Carolina, she speaks Gullah but is not from the islands. She is a very large, very black girl who is not a favorite among the women of the neighborhood. She doesn't like to help do the daily work. She would rather fish and hang out in the woods. When Marietta is 15, her mother dies and she tries to escape the control of her aunt and the other neighborhood women by going to Charleston in search of her uncle. In Charleston, Marietta learns about life in...more
A compelling novel set (at first) in 1960s backwoods South Carolina. A little tricky to get past the regional black patois at the beginning, but after that a fast read. Very good local color of the Charleston area and later on of Southern California.
Wow. The protagonist in this story is a woman of incredible strength and depth of character that makes me want -- still to this day -- to be able to forge ahead through the challenges of life with dignity.
This is my second? third? Susan Straight novel. When I finally took a second to look at the back flap author blurb, you could have punched in the face I was so shocked. She's ...white.... Does...does she live in an all Black neighborhood? Black hubbie?
Anywho, this book is pretty good. If it weren't for having to re-read the Gullah parts, it's almost as good as Blacker than a Thousand Midnights.
The best part is that, although a white woman writing this, this isn't some "poor black people wallow...more
Anywho, this book is pretty good. If it weren't for having to re-read the Gullah parts, it's almost as good as Blacker than a Thousand Midnights.
The best part is that, although a white woman writing this, this isn't some "poor black people wallow...more
Things I Love about this book:
1. The title. Completely awesome.
2. The author's name. Cool.
3. The cover art, by Michael Schwab. The stark print depicts the protagonist, Marietta Cook, from below, half her face in shadow. Her fists appear to be clenched.
4. The author, Susan Straight, is a tiny white woman. Her character Marietta, is a very large woman with blue-black skin. I don't know if this takes cultural sensitivity or just guts, but either way, Straight pulls it off. Loved it.
1. The title. Completely awesome.
2. The author's name. Cool.
3. The cover art, by Michael Schwab. The stark print depicts the protagonist, Marietta Cook, from below, half her face in shadow. Her fists appear to be clenched.
4. The author, Susan Straight, is a tiny white woman. Her character Marietta, is a very large woman with blue-black skin. I don't know if this takes cultural sensitivity or just guts, but either way, Straight pulls it off. Loved it.
I'd been hearing the title for a long time and wanted to read this, so when I saw it on the shelf at a library book sale I jumped on it. Susan Straight does an amazing job with the inner thoughts of an introverted woman from rural South Carolina as she travels through life. The dialect is well written and Marietta is definitely a character I care about. That said, The book ended... poorly? Abruptly? Strangely? Like a sequel was coming? Definitely unsatisfying conclusion.
What an incredible story! I read it years ago and again several months ago, and it just stays with me. Marietta is such a strong and admirable character. I love the sense of place in the work, and the many rich details. I think about her when I have difficult choices to make, or when hardship finds me and I am tempted to complain... Excellent story!
4.5 stars - Though this book is often quiet and slow, the result is quite powerful and unexpected...just like the central character Marietta Cook. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time.
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This is the second time I've read this book, and I loved it. It's a little difficult to understand the gulla dialogue, but Marietta is an amazing woman who overcame poverty and loneliness to make a life for herself and her twin boys ("weself")!
Another great read! Since I don't usually read the book description on the inside jacket, I initially had a hard time understanding what was going on with the dialect. After getting into the first few chapters I realized that this it was gullah or creole. The title, an old saying passed on from generation to generation, may lead some readers to believe this book is on the heavy side but it isn't. Sure, the characters face hardships but who doesn't! I love how the author gets you thinking about t...more
A book about the life of a very strong southern woman. You'll read a lot of sayings with which you wish you could pepper your speech.
Dec 05, 2012
Sbedjfink
added it
Read this ages ago, and just heard she has another new book out--she is a fantastic writer-more people need to know about her work.
I randomly picked up this book about a two years ago & I loved it. Ironically I'd just left Charleston the week before.
i picked up this book because of the title, best title i've ever seen. really good book, you fall into it so far you start thinking in the way the characters speak. getting near the end now tho and having trouble finishing, starting to drag. still, i recommend it. she takes you in so that you don't even realize you are walking along with the main character and seeing everything she sees.
few weeks later..... i can't finish this book. i absolutely loved the first 2/3rds but it's been dragging to m...more
few weeks later..... i can't finish this book. i absolutely loved the first 2/3rds but it's been dragging to m...more
she writes in the Gullah dialect from the lowlands in South Carolina....poetic and a great story
This is a really lovely novel. I really enjoy Susan Straight's usage of Gullah. In general the language in this book is very beautiful, compelling and well worth the read. I will say that if you are a person who has trouble reading dialects this book may not be for you. If you have read Irvine Welsh's books and had trouble this one may take some time.
ok. this book is really about style, not plot. the plot isn't anything special. "gullah grrl goes to big city, gets pregnant, comes home, leaves home, raises sons." yay.
but it's the language and the way the language illustrates feeling that is interesting about this book.
interesting. not necessarily compelling. because the plot's so thin, there were many times when i thought, "why, self? why is self reading this?" i did want to know how it ended, but it wasn't that big a deal.
so. one needs to be...more
but it's the language and the way the language illustrates feeling that is interesting about this book.
interesting. not necessarily compelling. because the plot's so thin, there were many times when i thought, "why, self? why is self reading this?" i did want to know how it ended, but it wasn't that big a deal.
so. one needs to be...more
An excellent book. The story of a hard and lonely life that tuns out to be satisfying. Excellent characters. Not an adventure book, but compelling nonetheless. A tribute to family and community.
Good story. Liked that Sinbad showed back up, but wasn't looking to get anything.
I had to read this because I love the title. Was not disappointed - it was amazing.
I'm enjoying this so far, but don't think it as brilliant as the reviews have made it. Granted, I got nearly halfway through it in two days, so I obviously don't hate it!
This book is wonderful. My first Susan Stright book but it sure won't be the last. I loved it.
read years ago and loved it. Going to re-read to see if it still holds true.
just finished again....yes I still really liked it, had a hard time putting it down, didn't skim and didn't read the ending first. Even though I already read it I forgot how it ended.
just finished again....yes I still really liked it, had a hard time putting it down, didn't skim and didn't read the ending first. Even though I already read it I forgot how it ended.
I stumbled on this book by accident, had never heard a thing about it, which made its greatness all the more sideswipingly astonishing. A powerful story with delicately drawn characters and amazing dialogue without a skerrick of sentimentality. Just beautiful.
Surprisingly moving - it made me cry on the beach in Australia. I like this Susan Straight: She has a sense of history and an interest in how people get to where they are both geographically and in their interior lives. I want to try more by her.
susan straight is one of my absolute favorite authors. every single book of hers is amazing and will take you to places (i'm thinking that ..) you've never been. if i told you the plot, it wouldn't even begin to do it justice - just read it!
Damn fine book. Feels authentic and accurate in it's depiction of SC Low Country and culture. Roots medicine is cool. Ending made me cry. If they make a movie, for shure they'll screw it up (but I wish they'd make a good film of it).
I read this book about 8 years ago or so. I was struggling a little with baby blues and the title just grabbed me. Could not put this book down. I really would like to re read this book at some point.
I loved this book. Partly because I'd seen the women Straight writes about weaving and selling baskets alongside the road in the Carolinas. I bought one from one of them as a kid.
I loved the poetic Gullah voice of the main character. Her strength she gained through hardships and how the community around her became her family and helped lift her up.
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Susan Straight's newest novel is "Between Heaven and Here." It is the last in the Rio Seco Trilogy, which began with "A Million Nightingales" and "Take One Candle Light a Room." She has published eight novels, a novel for young readers and a children's book. She has also written essays and articles for numerous national publications, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Nation and...more
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Oct 10, 2012 07:54pm