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Training School for Negro Girls
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As unapologetic and resilient as the DC neighborhoods they live in, these women challenge monolithic assumptions of black identity.
A TSA agent who has never flown, a girl braving new worlds to play piano, a teacher caught up in a mayoral race. In this debut collection of stories, each of them navigate life’s “training school”—with its lessons on gentrification and respecta ...more
A TSA agent who has never flown, a girl braving new worlds to play piano, a teacher caught up in a mayoral race. In this debut collection of stories, each of them navigate life’s “training school”—with its lessons on gentrification and respecta ...more
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Paperback, 248 pages
Published
October 9th 2018
by The Feminist Press at CUNY Consortium Book Sales & Distribution
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I wish I could tell y'all otherwise, but I really didn't know what to make of this collection. Many of Camille Acker's short stories fall flat, and I wish the characters were less one-dimensional.
There are few places were I felt adequately surprised by the scenes described, and I know the people she describes (sulking playground bullies from Southeast, 40-something single career women taking care of their mothers in Takoma Park, guilt-ridden black gentrifiers moving into the city with their whi ...more
There are few places were I felt adequately surprised by the scenes described, and I know the people she describes (sulking playground bullies from Southeast, 40-something single career women taking care of their mothers in Takoma Park, guilt-ridden black gentrifiers moving into the city with their whi ...more
I loved every story in this book. Some took me to childhood, others opened my eyes to things I hadn’t considered. My favorites were the ones of the grown Negro girls going through vagaries of life. There are two in particular that touched me, the first of a woman trying to get her daughter in a Jack and Jill type club for upper class blacks and another of a forty year old woman with seventeen former lovers... now taking care of her eighty year old mother while navigating loneliness, barrenness a
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You want to read this one.
Black women are not a monolith. This book was filled with such beautiful nuance. Part One explores pre-teen and teen black girlhood: boys, brothers, racism, parents. Part Two: shares the mind of many older black women: how they think and navigate the world.
I identified so hard with these women who's inner thoughts might not match everyone else's. The grey areas of life as a black women were quietly explored and very much appreciated.
These new crop of black women authors are bring something diff ...more
I identified so hard with these women who's inner thoughts might not match everyone else's. The grey areas of life as a black women were quietly explored and very much appreciated.
These new crop of black women authors are bring something diff ...more
This was a descent collection of short stories, but nothing really stood out. Nice build up of stories, but no endings that will stick with you.
I don't have much to say about this book.
This book is a collection of stories and most of them forgettable. So many times as I was reading I was confused about what was going on. Just disappointed with this one. ...more
This book is a collection of stories and most of them forgettable. So many times as I was reading I was confused about what was going on. Just disappointed with this one. ...more
3-3.5 stars. I know each of these women and girls. "Strong Men" and "Mambo Sauce" were my favorite stories. "All The Things You'll Never Do" was as painful as it sounds. My heart ached for that character because I have been there, mentally and financially. The title story was hilarious. I guess the bits of salaciousness prevented Acker from using the real name of a certain Black upper class family organization.
Overall, a solid book of short stories that will resonate with Black women. ...more
Overall, a solid book of short stories that will resonate with Black women. ...more
GoodRead......I enjoyed the stories mostly.
A fantastic collection of short stories. I especially loved “Mambo Sauce”. “Cicada” was so beautifully written and like “The Ropes”, it will stick with me for a long time. I loved how the stories dealt with issues of race, gender, identity, family, love, and social pressures. I can’t wait to read more by Camille Acker!
A quietly amazing collection showcasing Black girls and women who defy or reluctantly conform to the stereotypes, or exist outside of, and despite, them.
I read this in one sitting it was that good. BUt don't listen to my tortured syntax review, go read it! ...more
I read this in one sitting it was that good. BUt don't listen to my tortured syntax review, go read it! ...more
Decent collection of short stories, none of them gave me closure. Every character in this book I feel like I know someone just like them in real life which made these stories a little more tangible and made me feel sad.
A terrific collection of short stories set in Washington D.C. by Camille Acker -- all from a female point of view -- all from an African American view as one could guess from the title. Ironically, I picked up this collection in the iconic Strand Bookstore in NYC, not in any one of my regular bookstore haunts in my new home arena of D.C. Two of the stories that were stand outs -- "Mambo Sauce" -- using the D.C. specific hot sauce/duck sauce combo as the central metaphor for an interracial relati
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Okay so a few things. 1. didn't realize this was an anthology before I started (this is my fault, I should have read the synopsis). 2. These stories were good but each one had an aspect I didn't like. All circling around a black character's ignorance or their willing to act as if they were ignorant - except for the first story.
All in all decent.
3.5 stars ...more
All in all decent.
3.5 stars ...more
Thank you Mona-From teenager stories to working women all over our country. The individual stories are “special” and tell the “real story” of women navigating our world.
None of the stories drew me in. There was some humorous parts that didn't make it so hard to read.
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I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but I think it’s important to see the varying experiences of black girls and women.
I knew Camille when she was in grad school at New Mexico State University, and I just want to write that I am so proud of her. I loved this collection of short stories. Some stayed with me longer than others. "Strong Men" was great at capturing a time and place and inviting us to peer into a family and young woman's life that was on the verge of change--change a lot of folks go through, but that makes it no less profound or momentous when it happens. Acker helped us see and appreciate that time
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Okay, where to start...this was one of the best books I've read this year and it's December. First of all, I love how DC this book is. If you are from or live in DC (especially if you're Black), you will recognize the characters in these stories. You'll recognize the behaviors, the complexes, the joys, the fears... they are extremely well-written. Acker writes about everything from the joyful experience of a girl going to Ocean City as a child to a millenial character coming to the crushing real
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While the stories in this collection center on the lives of black girls and women living in Washington, DC, Acker skillfully portrays the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, foes, and romantic partners that orbit them. Acker's gift for creating setting is strong-- DC neighborhoods, politics, and neighborhood politics will resonate with anyone who has spent time in the District. Each story stands alone, but taken together, they leave the reader with much to contemplate. Acker does not a
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Camille Acker can write, and I'd love to see what she can do with a full-length novel. This collection of short stories was powerful - the lives of Black girls and women in Washington DC as they navigate the journey of finding their sense of self, their sense of womanhood - essentially, their identity. Ms. Acker, should you decide to gift us with a longer piece of fiction - I shall be here waiting on bated breath.
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Jan 20, 2020
Megan Tristao
added it
“I am my own kind of black girl. However, I do not know if I am the kind that you will want or not.”
Strong Men and Mambo Sauce were the two stand-out stories of this collection for me. The titular story was also very good, though I felt like I had to read it through almost-closed fingers (so it was very effective). Many of the stories felt unfinished, but I think that was part of their beauty. Thanks to @roostercalls on Instagram for recommending this one!
Strong Men and Mambo Sauce were the two stand-out stories of this collection for me. The titular story was also very good, though I felt like I had to read it through almost-closed fingers (so it was very effective). Many of the stories felt unfinished, but I think that was part of their beauty. Thanks to @roostercalls on Instagram for recommending this one!
Struggled to finish
I saw the cover of this book and I was impressed. The cover gets my star because that was the only thing I liked about this book. I don't know who gave these fabulous reviews but I felt like we read two completely different books. Honestly the short stories were pointless and they went nowhere. They left me confused with questions that no one could answer. I put this book down several times and picked it back up and struggled to the end. I am sorry but I can't recommend this b ...more
I saw the cover of this book and I was impressed. The cover gets my star because that was the only thing I liked about this book. I don't know who gave these fabulous reviews but I felt like we read two completely different books. Honestly the short stories were pointless and they went nowhere. They left me confused with questions that no one could answer. I put this book down several times and picked it back up and struggled to the end. I am sorry but I can't recommend this b ...more
Feb 14, 2020
Mo
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
black-history-month-2020
More stories please Camille.
I thought these short shores were a nice ode to the experiences of black girl child- and adult- hood. More like a 3.5
Loved. Really a 4.5
This was a decent book of short stories. I enjoyed the last 4 stories the most, especially Training School for Negro Girls and Now, This.
I wanted to love this collection so much but unfortunately, I was let down.
Some stories were great and others were duds. I understand that every book isn't for everyone but usually, books about Black women and girls are my thing.
It is very rare I actually feel let down by a book emotionally.
I think Acker set out to write a powerful collection that discusses the things that make Black women who they are. Whether it's their parents or an experience with a friend in school or an experience with ...more
Some stories were great and others were duds. I understand that every book isn't for everyone but usually, books about Black women and girls are my thing.
It is very rare I actually feel let down by a book emotionally.
I think Acker set out to write a powerful collection that discusses the things that make Black women who they are. Whether it's their parents or an experience with a friend in school or an experience with ...more
—The review below was authored by Paperback Paris Contributor, Jasmyne Ray. Read more.
As a black woman, it’s a struggle to find fictional narratives that accurately align with my reality. There have been a few exceptions — Ntozake Shange ’s For Colored Girls , Toni Morrison ’s The Bluest Eye , etc. — but the relatability and poignancy wafting from each page of Camille Acker's debut Training School for Negro Girls feels like a fan's cool air hitting your face after a hot summer da ...more
As a black woman, it’s a struggle to find fictional narratives that accurately align with my reality. There have been a few exceptions — Ntozake Shange ’s For Colored Girls , Toni Morrison ’s The Bluest Eye , etc. — but the relatability and poignancy wafting from each page of Camille Acker's debut Training School for Negro Girls feels like a fan's cool air hitting your face after a hot summer da ...more
If you like short story collections, this is an excellent next choice! Strong character writing. Though it's set in the past, you feel like each of these stories could be told today with the same context.
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Tells the lives & experiences of Black girls/women. I enjoyed this very much. I did feel two stories towards the end seem rush and not as well thought out. Solid collection overall and a underrated read that is not getting enough exposure. 3 1/2-4 stars.
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Camille Acker grew up in Washington, DC and is the author of the short story collection, Training School for Negro Girls, published by Feminist Press in 2018. She holds a B.A. in English from Howard University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from New Mexico State University. Her writing has received support from the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Voices of Our Nations Arts, and Millay Colony
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