Black-Eyed Susans

by Mary Helen Washington (Introduction)

A short story collection focused on "the black woman as seen from the special angle of the black woman writer."

"Mary Helen Washington has had a greater impact upon the formation of the canon of Afro-American literature than has any other scholar." —The New York Times Book Review

163 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice slim collection of stories from the timeframe of the early 50’s to the early 70’s, written by black women about black women. If the editor can be trusted (which from the introduction it seems like she can), this volume gives a snapshot of some major preoccupations and challenges of black women around that period. These include the effects of discrimination (of course), complex feelings about white women, complex feelings about shades of black skin color, questions about what constitutes beauty, conflicts within families, and the civil rights movement.

The editor has organized the book thematically, with an overall progress from powerlessness toward hope. What does it mean, then, that I admired all the stories except for the last two? I would like to think that it’s just because the characterizations aren’t as powerful in those and the writing more clumsy (and not that I am anti-hope for black women).

I am puzzled as is one of the previous reviewers that this collection contains so many excerpts from books. Out of a total of 10 stories, two are excerpted from Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, and two are from Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks. In a way I don’t mind, because all of those pieces were great reads. (I never even knew Gwendolyn Brooks had written anything other than poetry, so Maud Martha is now on my list to seek out!) Still, it seems a little odd.

In addition to the stuff from Morrison and Brooks, two other stories that are really great are "My Man Bovanne" by Toni Cade Bambara and "A Happening in Barbados," by Louise Meriwether.

Having read this, I’d be interested to read a recent book of short stories by and about black women—another snapshot, one that shows how the black female experience has shifted over time. I have questions.

[Marz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black-Eyed Susans is an enriching anthology that I thoroughly enjoyed! This collection of short stories "by and about black women" is like a survey of works introducing you to black women writers who were very much established or up-and-coming at that time. It was really interesting reading short stories by Alice Walker and Toni Morrison who, at that time, were not internationally renowned yet. You are reminded of this through the author bios at the end each entry, which is an element of the anthology that I am particularly fond of. For instance, when listing Alice Walker's works in her bio, I noted that The Color Purple was not included. Then I remembered, "Oh! She hadn't written "The Color Purple" yet!"

Though this collection was published in 1975, a lot of the themes, concepts and ideas that the stories explore are still really relevant and prominent in our current world, whether they are exactly the same or have evolved. The stories themselves were each a delight to read. The anthology is organized by themes, such as "Growing Up Black and Female" and "The Black Mother and Daughter." Each theme section has one-two stories, all of which were strongly written, had rich characters and really made you think. My personal favorites out of this are Everyday Use and A Sudden Trip Home in the Spring, both of which were written by Alice Walker.

I will certainly return to Black-Eyed Susans in my spare time. It is a good, light read you can just peruse, and you will finish a story with a prolific thought. I love this book :)

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling collection of short stories about Black women, that color outside the lines.

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice collection. A very quick read, and I especially enjoyed the introduction. I do wish there were more diversity amongst the writers and fewer book chapters used as short stories.

[Beth Filar Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

great insights in these well written short stories. and, though written 40 years ago these stories could be present day in many cases.