Betsey Brown - Softcover

Shange, Ntozake

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312077289 ISBN 13: 9780312077280

Publisher: St Martin's Press, 1986

Synopsis

In 1957--the year in which school integration stirred both Blacks and whites--in St. Louis, thirteen-year-old Betsey Brown encounters the awkwardness, responsibilities, and the elusive promise of romance of adolescence

About this title

Review:

A lyrical coming-of-age novel. "The New York Times"

The pages go whoosh! "Kirkus Reviews on Sin City"

Shange is a superb storyteller who keeps her eye on what brings her characters together rather than what separates them . After you've read Betsey Brown to yourself, you can read it aloud to a friend. "The New York Times Book Review"

It's the truth Betsey Brown is a beautiful, beautiful piece of writing. "Houston Post"

Shange has re-created a humorous, charming, and heartbreaking vision of St. Louis and the Brown family that will delight young and old. She can conjure, as if by magic.... "Betsey Brown" is like an enchanting melody. "St. Louis Post-Dispatch"

Ntozake Shange is a unique and gifted, literary executant and works under strong impulses to do things her own way despite settled conventions of craft. The author's peculiar chemistry (a synonym for talent), plus her singlemindedness, has brought her a decided victory. She has made Betsey Brown live. We care about the child and wonder what will happen to her, how she will fare. This doubtless was the author's intention and mission. "Chicago Sun Times"

No contemporary writer has Shange's uncanny gift for immersing herself within the situations and points-of-view of so many different types of women. No wonder she has achieved an almost oracular status among her female readers. She is a writer of many masks. She can serenade you, and she can cut you; she can chirp, as well as growl; she can delight, as well as antagonize. "Ishmeal Reed"

"Betsey Brown "is a joy to read. Every sentence seems filled with a delicate, jubilant, sly, comical, musical brio. The energy, good humor, imagination and joie de vivre make this novella refreshing exception to most contemporary fiction. "Philip Lopate"

Ntozake Shange's writings compose one long, continuous song: by part blues medley, swaying gospel melody, plaintive torch ballad. "Washington Times""

A lyrical coming-of-age novel. The New York Times

The pages go whoosh! Kirkus Reviews on Sin City

Shange is a superb storyteller who keeps her eye on what brings her characters together rather than what separates them . After you've read Betsey Brown to yourself, you can read it aloud to a friend. The New York Times Book Review

It's the truth Betsey Brown is a beautiful, beautiful piece of writing. Houston Post

Shange has re-created a humorous, charming, and heartbreaking vision of St. Louis and the Brown family that will delight young and old. She can conjure, as if by magic.... Betsey Brown is like an enchanting melody. St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ntozake Shange is a unique and gifted, literary executant and works under strong impulses to do things her own way despite settled conventions of craft. The author's peculiar chemistry (a synonym for talent), plus her singlemindedness, has brought her a decided victory. She has made Betsey Brown live. We care about the child and wonder what will happen to her, how she will fare. This doubtless was the author's intention and mission. Chicago Sun Times

No contemporary writer has Shange's uncanny gift for immersing herself within the situations and points-of-view of so many different types of women. No wonder she has achieved an almost oracular status among her female readers. She is a writer of many masks. She can serenade you, and she can cut you; she can chirp, as well as growl; she can delight, as well as antagonize. Ishmeal Reed

Betsey Brown is a joy to read. Every sentence seems filled with a delicate, jubilant, sly, comical, musical brio. The energy, good humor, imagination and joie de vivre make this novella refreshing exception to most contemporary fiction. Philip Lopate

Ntozake Shange's writings compose one long, continuous song: by part blues medley, swaying gospel melody, plaintive torch ballad. Washington Times

"

"A lyrical coming-of-age novel." --The New York Times

"The pages go whoosh!" --Kirkus Reviews on Sin City

"Shange is a superb storyteller who keeps her eye on what brings her characters together rather than what separates them.... After you've read Betsey Brown to yourself, you can read it aloud to a friend." --The New York Times Book Review

"It's the truth Betsey Brown is a beautiful, beautiful piece of writing." --Houston Post

"Shange has re-created a humorous, charming, and heartbreaking vision of St. Louis and the Brown family that will delight young and old. She can conjure, as if by magic.... Betsey Brown is like an enchanting melody." --St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Ntozake Shange is a unique and gifted, literary executant and works under strong impulses to do things her own way despite settled conventions of craft. The author's peculiar chemistry (a synonym for talent), plus her singlemindedness, has brought her a decided victory. She has made Betsey Brown live. We care about the child and wonder what will happen to her, how she will fare. This doubtless was the author's intention and mission." --Chicago Sun Times

"No contemporary writer has Shange's uncanny gift for immersing herself within the situations and points-of-view of so many different types of women. No wonder she has achieved an almost oracular status among her female readers. She is a writer of many masks. She can serenade you, and she can cut you; she can chirp, as well as growl; she can delight, as well as antagonize." --Ishmeal Reed

"Betsey Brown is a joy to read. Every sentence seems filled with a delicate, jubilant, sly, comical, musical brio. The energy, good humor, imagination and joie de vivre make this novella refreshing exception to most contemporary fiction." --Philip Lopate

"Ntozake Shange's writings compose one long, continuous song: by part blues medley, swaying gospel melody, plaintive torch ballad." --Washington Times

About the Author:

Ntozake Shange is a renowned playwright, poet, and novelist. Her novels include Liliane and Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, both of which are available from Picador USA. She lives in Philadelphia with her family.

About this edition

• Publisher: St Martin's Press
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0312077289
• ISBN 13: 9780312077280
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 207