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The Black Prince and Other Stories
The South of these nine stories is filled with tension, crisis, and decision: a man walks out of prison only to entangle himself in the strands of his malevolent past; a diabolic stranger sets a small community against itself; a family clothes its poverty with genteel pretense; a wife acquiesces to her husband and in-laws' connivance over a forged will. From the black bayou waters of Louisiana to the red clay gullies of Alabama's pine woods, in the menacing shadows of the Pair-a-Dice Bar and around a family kitchen table by the first light of morning, Shirley Ann Grau's characters face the enormity of death, dream of crossing the color line, and test themselves and others in a variety of ways. An honest and unsentimental writer, Grau has created a remarkable range of characters and situations that will haunt readers' memories long after their stories have been set aside.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1955
23 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Ann Grau
34 books109 followersShirley Ann Grau (b. 1929) is a Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist of nine novels and short story collections, whose work is set primarily in her native South. Grau was raised in Alabama and Louisiana, and many of her novels document the broad social changes of the Deep South during the twentieth century, particularly as they affected African Americans. Grau’s first novel, The Hard Blue Sky (1958), about the descendants of European pioneers living on an island off the coast of Louisiana, established her as a master of vivid description, both for characters and locale, a style she maintained throughout her career. Her public profile rose during the civil rights movement, when her dynastic novel Keepers of the House (1964), which dealt with race relations in Alabama, earned her a Pulitzer Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 3, 2023
Ha az amerikai Dél egy terebélyes, beteg fa, akkor a déli írók művei a gombák, amik nagyra nőnek belőle. Szeretem ezt az irodalmat, a plasztikus táj- és társadalomábrázolását, ahogy szikrázik benne a napsütés és suhognak a lenvászon öltönyök. Van az egészben valami megkapóan nosztalgikus - talán azért, mert (ahogy Shirley Ann Grau is) oly gyakran nyúlnak vissza a gyermekkor elveszett világához. Szóval szép, ahogy szép a gomba csinos piros kalapja is azokkal a nett fehér pettyekkel. De aki csak ezt tudja ábrázolni, az nem jó író. Mert a gomba nem csak kalap, sőt: még kalap a legkevésbé. Meg kell tudni írni a belső ellentmondásokat, az elnyomottak morgását és nyüszítését, finoman, a nosztalgia alatt. Hisz a gomba a korhadásból él. Aki a korhadást nem képes érzékeltetni, az ne is gombásszon.
July 12, 2015
I am a fan of The Keepers of the House and having been so favorably influenced will always think Grau's style and her work some of the very best. Her short stories are still meaningful and quite powerful after 60 years and I did enjoy all nine. She wouldn't have the gut-punching impact of A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O'Conner, but is an important southern author definitely worth more attention. The Black Prince was a bit of magical realism and was very appreciated. From concept to completion her stories are beautifully executed. I intend to read everything by Grau I can get my hands on just to find her very best.
March 12, 2023
Az ilyen novellákat szeretem. Shirley Ann mestere a műfajnak, minden írása egy kis felvillantott életkép. Némelyik szép, balladaszerű, más pedig aprólékosan realista. Lélektanilag kidolgozott, ám gyakran szomorú írások egy letűnt korszakról.
December 4, 2023
This is Southern fiction at its finest, making a place and time that seems so far away to us now come fully alive in nine short stories taking place in the 1940s and set in the deep South in the piney woods and sun-scorched bayous and snake-infested swamps inhabited with a cast of characters that feel so real, so poignant, so tragic.
Written by Shirley Ann Grau, who went on to later win the Pulitzer Prize for "The Keepers of the House," the stories vary widely in plot, character, and point of view—from poverty to gentility, Blacks to Whites, the very young to the very old.
Here are three of my favorites:
• "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair": The Ramond family moves into the old Fitzhugh place next door, and their beautiful, blonde little girl, Rose, is the same age as the raven-haired tomboy Lily. But there are alarming secrets Mrs. Ramond and Rose are keeping from their new neighbors, and then the most tragic thing happens.
• "The Bright Day": Charlotte is newly married to Andrew, living in the family home with his cousin Roger, Uncle Melton, and Aunt Mayme when she shockingly discovers that the family is secretly plotting something nefarious that will cheat their cousin Pamela Langley out of her rightful inheritance. What will Charlotte do? And what will happen to Charlotte if she talks?
• "One Summer": There is one summer day—a Thursday in August—that MacDonald, a teenage boy who is dating the prettiest girl in town, will never forget. It was the sweltering day his grandfather died, and MacDonald realized that his own place in the world had shifted. All the while he grapples with deep-seated fears of growing old like his grandfather.
What makes the stories so compelling are the frightening undertones of violence and the stark realities of racial oppression. Taken as a whole, this is a powerful collection that explores the depths of human misery, love, and redemption.
Written by Shirley Ann Grau, who went on to later win the Pulitzer Prize for "The Keepers of the House," the stories vary widely in plot, character, and point of view—from poverty to gentility, Blacks to Whites, the very young to the very old.
Here are three of my favorites:
• "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair": The Ramond family moves into the old Fitzhugh place next door, and their beautiful, blonde little girl, Rose, is the same age as the raven-haired tomboy Lily. But there are alarming secrets Mrs. Ramond and Rose are keeping from their new neighbors, and then the most tragic thing happens.
• "The Bright Day": Charlotte is newly married to Andrew, living in the family home with his cousin Roger, Uncle Melton, and Aunt Mayme when she shockingly discovers that the family is secretly plotting something nefarious that will cheat their cousin Pamela Langley out of her rightful inheritance. What will Charlotte do? And what will happen to Charlotte if she talks?
• "One Summer": There is one summer day—a Thursday in August—that MacDonald, a teenage boy who is dating the prettiest girl in town, will never forget. It was the sweltering day his grandfather died, and MacDonald realized that his own place in the world had shifted. All the while he grapples with deep-seated fears of growing old like his grandfather.
What makes the stories so compelling are the frightening undertones of violence and the stark realities of racial oppression. Taken as a whole, this is a powerful collection that explores the depths of human misery, love, and redemption.
January 19, 2018
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An uneven book of short stories originally published in the 1950s. It deals with the South and all the politics and portrayals that you'd expect with a mix of magical realism. The stories range from ~1920's to present (which was 1950's for the publication of this book).
Different stories have different writing styles, for instance White Girl Fine Girl reminded me of Faulkner's Sound and the Fury in terms of not quite getting it on the first read through. There's a lot of hidden messages in the stories, metaphors and references, that I'm sure I've missed a lot. And perhaps my inability to enjoy some stories were due to the fact that there were some thing that just flew over my head.
I do think what would have helped would have been perhaps something written about each story to give it context. While it wouldn't have been necessary when the book was initially published, the republication at this point needs it. However, how the author chose to deal with classism, racism, sexism in the American South was unique even by today's standards and I do appreciate that.
3.5/5 rounds to 4/5.
An uneven book of short stories originally published in the 1950s. It deals with the South and all the politics and portrayals that you'd expect with a mix of magical realism. The stories range from ~1920's to present (which was 1950's for the publication of this book).
Different stories have different writing styles, for instance White Girl Fine Girl reminded me of Faulkner's Sound and the Fury in terms of not quite getting it on the first read through. There's a lot of hidden messages in the stories, metaphors and references, that I'm sure I've missed a lot. And perhaps my inability to enjoy some stories were due to the fact that there were some thing that just flew over my head.
I do think what would have helped would have been perhaps something written about each story to give it context. While it wouldn't have been necessary when the book was initially published, the republication at this point needs it. However, how the author chose to deal with classism, racism, sexism in the American South was unique even by today's standards and I do appreciate that.
3.5/5 rounds to 4/5.
April 14, 2021
This novel was okay but nothing great. It had good and bad elements. I feel there was a lot of hidden meanings to most of the stories that I just couldn't fully appreciate, like the swamps being able to listen to conversations or dreams conveying your emotions/future. I forced myself to read this novel but I didn't enjoy it. The one thing that would have made this novel better is if each story had a date attached, that way I wouldn't be forced to guess the era the story took place in (usually ranged from prohibition to WW2). The portrayal of how black people were treated and gender roles was well written though.
White Girl. Fine Girl
Jayson, the main character, is just released from prison and he decides to go back to his old hometown. While there he visits old friends, acquaintances and his old girlfriend. I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the story was as Jayson doesn’t do anything memorable. The story does do a good job of showing everyday life for people and the inequality woman feel. The grammar, spelling and word structure was weird and there were words that I have never heard of before (example Iffen or corn likker). I think this story takes place during the prohibition. I got used to the writing style as the novel progressed though.
The Black Prince
This story follows Alberta and Stanley Albert Thompson. They fall in love and marry but everyone is jealous so the town turns against them. Things don’t go as well for the town as they wanted. This story ended with a folktale feel to it which was a unique.
Miss Yellow Eyes
This story follows one family during the war. Chris and Ceclia fall in love and marry a few months before Chris decides to enlist and join the war. This puts pressure on Pete but he has an accident at work that takes his hand. Everyone accuses Pete of injuring himself on purpose just so he wouldn't have to join the war and die like everyone else. This is one of the better stories in the novel as it details the horrors of war, the damage it can do to a family and how black and white people are treated differently at hospitals (a minor injury to a black person results in an amputation).
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Pamela Langley returns to her hometown after exploring the world for thirty plus years. She couldn't have returned at a worse time as a will in currently in dispute and she is sole heir. If she would have returned later her cousin's would have gotten the money, but with her in town they may not. This story is a good illustration of human greed, family dynamics and a guilty conscience.
The Bright Day
MacDonald's grandfather dies and a funeral is arranged. This story dragged on way too much in certain parts but it did reflect nicely on death and how different people handle it. Some people get angry, sad, or jealous (if they are old and looking death in the face while young people surround themselves with life and happiness).
Fever Flower
This story follows Katherine and Hugh (once married but now divorced), their daughter Maureen and their helper Annie. The story follow just an average day with foresight into each of their future. Had no idea what the purpose of the ending was though.
The Way of the Man
Williams, a seventeen year olf man runs into trouble so he asks his father for help. Once again his father refuses to help so William takes matters into his own hands. I liked the portrayal of gender roles and attitudes in this story.
One Summer
Joshua's parents aren't providing well for him. He usually goes hungry and has worn out clothing. So Joshua decides to take up his father trade for a day and see how it goes. This story was also far too long and contained way too many details. I liked the introduction of dreams and their hidden symbolism.
White Girl. Fine Girl
Jayson, the main character, is just released from prison and he decides to go back to his old hometown. While there he visits old friends, acquaintances and his old girlfriend. I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the story was as Jayson doesn’t do anything memorable. The story does do a good job of showing everyday life for people and the inequality woman feel. The grammar, spelling and word structure was weird and there were words that I have never heard of before (example Iffen or corn likker). I think this story takes place during the prohibition. I got used to the writing style as the novel progressed though.
The Black Prince
This story follows Alberta and Stanley Albert Thompson. They fall in love and marry but everyone is jealous so the town turns against them. Things don’t go as well for the town as they wanted. This story ended with a folktale feel to it which was a unique.
Miss Yellow Eyes
This story follows one family during the war. Chris and Ceclia fall in love and marry a few months before Chris decides to enlist and join the war. This puts pressure on Pete but he has an accident at work that takes his hand. Everyone accuses Pete of injuring himself on purpose just so he wouldn't have to join the war and die like everyone else. This is one of the better stories in the novel as it details the horrors of war, the damage it can do to a family and how black and white people are treated differently at hospitals (a minor injury to a black person results in an amputation).
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Pamela Langley returns to her hometown after exploring the world for thirty plus years. She couldn't have returned at a worse time as a will in currently in dispute and she is sole heir. If she would have returned later her cousin's would have gotten the money, but with her in town they may not. This story is a good illustration of human greed, family dynamics and a guilty conscience.
The Bright Day
MacDonald's grandfather dies and a funeral is arranged. This story dragged on way too much in certain parts but it did reflect nicely on death and how different people handle it. Some people get angry, sad, or jealous (if they are old and looking death in the face while young people surround themselves with life and happiness).
Fever Flower
This story follows Katherine and Hugh (once married but now divorced), their daughter Maureen and their helper Annie. The story follow just an average day with foresight into each of their future. Had no idea what the purpose of the ending was though.
The Way of the Man
Williams, a seventeen year olf man runs into trouble so he asks his father for help. Once again his father refuses to help so William takes matters into his own hands. I liked the portrayal of gender roles and attitudes in this story.
One Summer
Joshua's parents aren't providing well for him. He usually goes hungry and has worn out clothing. So Joshua decides to take up his father trade for a day and see how it goes. This story was also far too long and contained way too many details. I liked the introduction of dreams and their hidden symbolism.
December 30, 2017
Like most short story collections, I loved some stories and I hated some stories so it's hard to accurately rate the collection as a whole. The overall rating must then come from what was consistent in each story.
The stories all focus on the American South and various people and families living there. You can feel the underlying class and race divides but they are rarely a major feature which I found interesting. The writing is to the point but does a fine job of building the atmosphere for the reader. At times I felt like I could hear, see, and smell the setting around me. I only wish that more attention had been paid to maintaining this feeling throughout each story as I felt descriptions of place were mostly concentrated in the first few paragraphs.
Some of the stories towards the middle I found to be too short and fairly uneventful. I didn't see the purpose to them except to bulk up the collection by a few pages which would have been better done by adding more descriptions to the stronger stories. I don't think this collection is particularly illuminating of its subject matter but it is a nice read with a feeling of nostalgia that fell just a bit short of my expectations.
The stories all focus on the American South and various people and families living there. You can feel the underlying class and race divides but they are rarely a major feature which I found interesting. The writing is to the point but does a fine job of building the atmosphere for the reader. At times I felt like I could hear, see, and smell the setting around me. I only wish that more attention had been paid to maintaining this feeling throughout each story as I felt descriptions of place were mostly concentrated in the first few paragraphs.
Some of the stories towards the middle I found to be too short and fairly uneventful. I didn't see the purpose to them except to bulk up the collection by a few pages which would have been better done by adding more descriptions to the stronger stories. I don't think this collection is particularly illuminating of its subject matter but it is a nice read with a feeling of nostalgia that fell just a bit short of my expectations.
August 5, 2018
Short southern stories
The sentences were well written but the stories as a whole were depressing and pointless. Strangely the writer always made sure to have something yellow in the stories.(yellow cars, yellow houses, yellow dresses, etc) Most stories were about black boys coming of age.
The sentences were well written but the stories as a whole were depressing and pointless. Strangely the writer always made sure to have something yellow in the stories.(yellow cars, yellow houses, yellow dresses, etc) Most stories were about black boys coming of age.
September 20, 2017
Where in the Sam Hill has this been all my life? On par with Jackson/O'Connor/McCullers, Grau has a frightening touch with family drama/psychological messes and this is a disturbingly wonderful collection of believable stories that made me cringe and smile at the same time.
February 15, 2019
Exquisite short stories. Shirley Ann Grau is a treasure, and deserves a place among the great writes of our time.
Want to read
April 13, 2025Read so far:
White Girl, Fine Girl--
The Black Prince--2
*Miss Yellow Eyes--
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair--
The Bright Day--
Fever Flower--
The Way of a Man--
One Summer--
*Joshua--
***
The Beach Party
Eight O'Clock One Morning
Hunter's Home
The Way Back
White Girl, Fine Girl--
The Black Prince--2
*Miss Yellow Eyes--
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair--
The Bright Day--
Fever Flower--
The Way of a Man--
One Summer--
*Joshua--
***
The Beach Party
Eight O'Clock One Morning
Hunter's Home
The Way Back
October 27, 2014
read one story. too depressing to read any more. Pulitzer prize winner
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews