Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
202nd out of 404 books
—
466 voters
Some Soul to Keep
J.California Cooper writes with a transparent clarity and such exuberant energy that her characters leaop off the page, bursting with the stories they've got to tell--stories of simple people, stories of families and fate, of love and marriage, of death and the triumph of the human spirit. Cooper is that most rare and wondrous thing: a true storyteller whose tales trace th...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
October 15th 1998
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 1987)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
966)
From the moment I finished my first J. California Cooper book I knew she would be one of my favorite authors. Since finishing my second book, I'm sure she's one of my favorites! Her books are so real that from page one you are hooked into the story. I have found myself talking to friends about characters from her book like I have known them all my life. She makes me cry, laugh out loud, and dream of love while waiting patiently from my knight in shining armor. Each of her stories remind me that...more
This book is about a family and some of there generations. I can't say I was very interested in this book. It wasn't that bad but it was hard to keep up with. All of the different generations made it hard to tell who was who. But from what I understood the book was very relatable. I felt that this book was very life like.
One way I could relate to this book is all of their struggles. The first little girl had her childhood taken from her "Her face was a old face, not from lack of innocence but...more
One way I could relate to this book is all of their struggles. The first little girl had her childhood taken from her "Her face was a old face, not from lack of innocence but...more
This collection of short stories was absolutely one of the best reads ever. The stories are captivating and the characters are very memorable. I felt like I was embodied with each leading character because I could relate in some kind of way to their lives and the situations they found themselves in. Very moving, heartfelt stories.
All her books are excellent. I love the way she develops relationships in the books. The characters are full bodied and realistic. Not just cut and dried romance. You always learn something from Ms. Coopers stories.
This is an easy read, but the common theme of downtrodden women finding happiness through men was a turn off.
Also, the way they speak in the book -- along the line of "I'se," "Chile" and the like -- is a turn off. I felt the it was stereotypical and wasn't necessary to get the point across.
Also, the way they speak in the book -- along the line of "I'se," "Chile" and the like -- is a turn off. I felt the it was stereotypical and wasn't necessary to get the point across.
A book of short stories about the lives of different A.American characters. All written by this same author. Candid storylines. Clear discriptions that helps you create your mind's own illustrations. Some of the "short stories" could get a bit long and the storyline drawn out a bit. Also noticed that the read to be a little choppy and didn't always roll off of my tongue sometimes (or maybe it's just me), but its still a good read.
I loved it ...I fell in love with the characters as always with her novels. I understand much of the ups and the downs! I'm completely connected!!
Feb 25, 2009
Barbara Washington
marked it as to-read
I really want to read this book. I am currently reading
Hommade Love and can't wait to see how this book is written!
Hommade Love and can't wait to see how this book is written!
The stories in this book are wonderful. Love and life, raw, real & uneasy. I can't wait to read mite of her works
Jun 25, 2009
Taya Baker
added it
Read this book for Black History month. Love J. California Cooper.
I've become a fan of J. California Cooper!
Cooper is one of my favorite authors.
Beautiful short stories.
Good Reading
Love this book!
This was a fantastic book, filled with intriguing short stories that dealt with love, heartbreak, sadness, and triumph. Cooper is a talented writer who creates personable characters for the reader to relate to or get inspired from. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates African American literature.
One of my favorite authors. She has a way of developing characters that you want to read more about. Beautiful writing. Wonderful book.
Great collection of short stories (parables) each story full of well rounded characters and a great lesson to learn. Very easy read.
The more I read J. California Cooper, the more I long to meet her. She has truly become my favorite writer.
This was a very good read recommend to everyone all her books are good reads.
May 23, 2013
Patt Kimberling
marked it as to-read
May 22, 2013
Natasha Simanwe
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Kari Dunmars
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Verinya
marked it as to-read
May 19, 2013
Dionne Stalling
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
J. California Cooper first found acclaim as a playwright. The author of seventeen plays, she was named Black Playwright of the Year in 1978. It was through her work in the theater that she caught the attention of acclaimed poet and novelist Alice Walker. Encouraged by Walker to turn her popular storytelling skills to fiction, Cooper wrote her first collection of short stories, A Piece of Mine, in...more
More about J. California Cooper...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
