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Edith Jackson
At seventeen, Edith's only wish is to get a job and make a home for her three younger sisters, and when social services finally separates them, she must make a decision that will change the course of her life. Reprint. AB. VY.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 1978
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About the author
Rosa Guy
29 books78 followersRosa Cuthbert Guy (1925-2012) was an American writer.
Born in Trinidad, Rosa Guy moved to the United States with her family at the age of seven, where they settled in New York in 1932. Soon after, her parents, Henry and Audrey Cuthbert, died. After, she and her sister went to many foster homes. She quit school at age fourteen and took a job to help support her family.
During World War II she joined the American Negro Theatre. She studied theatre and writing at the University of New York.
Guy wrote a number of books aimed at young adults. Many of her books reflect on the dependability of family members who love and care for one other. Her works include: Bird at My Window (1966), Children of Longing (1971), The Friends (1973), Ruby (1976), Edith Jackson (1978), The Disappearance (1979), Mirror of Her Own (1981), A Measure of Time (1983), and New Guys Around the Block (1983), Paris, Pee Wee and Big Dog (1984), My Love, My Love, or the Peasant Girl (1985), And I Heard a Bird Sing (1987).
She is divorced from Warner Guy, with whom she had a son, Warner Guy Jr.
Born in Trinidad, Rosa Guy moved to the United States with her family at the age of seven, where they settled in New York in 1932. Soon after, her parents, Henry and Audrey Cuthbert, died. After, she and her sister went to many foster homes. She quit school at age fourteen and took a job to help support her family.
During World War II she joined the American Negro Theatre. She studied theatre and writing at the University of New York.
Guy wrote a number of books aimed at young adults. Many of her books reflect on the dependability of family members who love and care for one other. Her works include: Bird at My Window (1966), Children of Longing (1971), The Friends (1973), Ruby (1976), Edith Jackson (1978), The Disappearance (1979), Mirror of Her Own (1981), A Measure of Time (1983), and New Guys Around the Block (1983), Paris, Pee Wee and Big Dog (1984), My Love, My Love, or the Peasant Girl (1985), And I Heard a Bird Sing (1987).
She is divorced from Warner Guy, with whom she had a son, Warner Guy Jr.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 9, 2013
Edith Jackson marks the end of this trilogy by Rosa Guy (as trilogy I suppose it is, in a loose sense of the word). The first time I heard of Rosa Guy was in an interview with Nancy Garden where she mentioned Rosa Guy's book Ruby as being one of the first young adult books with a lesbian theme. Less than two weeks after reading that interview, I ran into Ruby's prequel-of-sorts The Friends (in a used book store! several states away from home! strange, non?!).
The first book (The Friends) is my favourite. Its main character is Phyllisia, and focuses on her friendship with Edith, but also on her claustrophobic relationships with her family. Phyllisia's sister Ruby is obviously the main character of the next book, and Edith the protagonist of this book.
What a strange trio of books these are! I don't even know how to explain it. The main characters are both endearing and hard to fully understand. The books got progressively sadder. Though while Edith Jackson was saddest in some ways, its ending had the most hope. I could ramble for a while because I really have no idea how I truly feel about these books. I enjoyed reading them, and I guess that's all that matters.
The first book (The Friends) is my favourite. Its main character is Phyllisia, and focuses on her friendship with Edith, but also on her claustrophobic relationships with her family. Phyllisia's sister Ruby is obviously the main character of the next book, and Edith the protagonist of this book.
What a strange trio of books these are! I don't even know how to explain it. The main characters are both endearing and hard to fully understand. The books got progressively sadder. Though while Edith Jackson was saddest in some ways, its ending had the most hope. I could ramble for a while because I really have no idea how I truly feel about these books. I enjoyed reading them, and I guess that's all that matters.
March 4, 2016
Jacqueline Woodson said she is a Rosa Guy fan and loves this trilogy is why I read these. They are not even in my public library.
I wish these books on everybody. They are so tremendous wonderful proBlackWomen. Especially if you've read every single book by Jacqueline Woodson, i promise you don't want to live without reading the uplift of community in these three books. Much much love and revolution now and always. Bless...
I wish these books on everybody. They are so tremendous wonderful proBlackWomen. Especially if you've read every single book by Jacqueline Woodson, i promise you don't want to live without reading the uplift of community in these three books. Much much love and revolution now and always. Bless...
January 5, 2021
I remember reading this when I was about 16 years old (over 25 years ago), and it's an absolute tear-jerker during some parts... From the time I read "The Friends" I remember always feeling so sorry for Edith and wishing she and her siblings had a better life.
December 20, 2015
this was not too bad a book but was written to be read by young adults. very good for that age group. not a very happy read but realistic. I am very sorry to say that.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews