Life is Short But Wide - Hardcover

Cooper, J. California

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385511345 ISBN 13: 9780385511346

Publisher: Doubleday, 2009

Synopsis

Beloved writer J. California Cooper has won a legion of loyal fans and much critical acclaim for her powerful storytelling gifts. In language both spare and direct yet wondrously lyrical, LIFE IS SHORT BUT WIDE is an irresistible story of family that proves no matter who you are or what you do, you are never too old to chase your dreams.
Like the small towns J. California Cooper has so vividly portrayed in her previous novels and story collections, Wideland, Oklahoma, is home to ordinary Americans struggling to raise families, eke out a living, and fulfill their dreams. In the early twentieth century, Irene and Val fall in love in Wideland. While carving out a home for themselves, they also allow neighbors Bertha and Joseph to build a house and live on their land. The next generation brings two girls for Irene and Val, and a daughter for Bertha and Joseph. As the families cope with the hardships that come with changing times and fortunes, and people are born and pass away, the characters learn the importance of living one’s life boldly and squeezing out every possible moment of joy.
Cooper brilliantly captures the cadences of the South and draws a picture of American life at once down-to-earth and heartwarming in this-as her wise narrator will tell you-“strange, sad, kind’a beautiful, life story.” It is a story about love that leads to the ultimate realization that whoever you are, and whatever you do, life is short, but it is also wide.

About this title

Review

Praise for J. California Cooper
"Cooper's...style is deceptively simple and direct." --Alice Walker
"My fifth-grade teacher...one day said, 'Instead of calling and asking me for advice, try reading J. California Cooper.'" --Halle Berry
"[J. California Cooper] is my favorite storyteller. What a song she sings." --Nikki Giovanni

"Accolades for J. California Cooper"
"Cooper's work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston...It is a delight to read." -Alice Walker
"[J. California Cooper] is my favorite storyteller. What a song she sings."
-Nikki Giovanni
"My fifth-grade teacher...one day said, 'Instead of calling and asking me for advice, try reading J. California Cooper.'" -Halle Berry
"A genius storyteller." -"Boston Globe"
"Exuberant...Cooper's stories reveal a meticulous attention to the nuances of African-American life." -"San Francisco Chronicle
""It is as if [Cooper] is patting the seat next to us, enticing to come sit and listen."
-"Ms." magazine
"What a voice...Cooper celebrates family, freedom, perseverance, life, and...powerful voices finally heard." -"Atlanta Constitution"
"Gutsy and familiar... [Cooper's] power comes from sticking to her instinct, which is to tell a story, plain and simple." -"Washington Post"
"Cooper's characters are the folk heroes of black culture."
"-Essence"

"What a voice . . . Cooper celebrates family, freedom, perseverance, life, and . . . powerful voices finally heard." --"Atlanta Constitution"
"Cooper's work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.... It's a delight to read." --Alice Walker
"[J. California Cooper] is my favorite storyteller. What songs she sings." --Nikki Giovanni
"Yes, life is short. Luckily, its also filled with the magic of beguiling and provocative books like this." --"The Newark Star-Ledger "
"J. California Cooper is absolutely brilliant. One of the best writers of all time." --Jill Scott
"My fifth-grade teacher . . . one day said, 'Instead of calling and asking me for advice, try reading J. California Cooper.'" --Halle Berry
"Wonderfully crafted. . . . Cooper's characteristic motherly wit carries an appealing raft of characters through a world tougher than it is tender, but touched with beauty and wisdom." --"Publishers Weekly"
" "
"It is as if [Cooper] is patting the seat next to us, enticing us to come sit and listen." --"Ms."
"A genius storyteller." --"The Boston Globe"
"Cooper's characters are the folk heroes of black culture." --"Essence "
"Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston's groundbreaking 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. . . . Narrated with gentle wit and humor, ["Life Is Short But Wide"] explores the importance of love, religion, redemption, and family." --"Library Journal"
" "
"Cooper writes about love as if it were a small stream, a ray of hope, a whisper in God's ear, an essence all of its own. . . . A must read full of history, wisdom and love." --"Cityflight "

Cooper s work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston . It s a delight to read. Alice Walker
[J. California Cooper] is my favorite storyteller. What songs she sings. Nikki Giovanni
Yes, life is short. Luckily, its also filled with the magic of beguiling and provocative books like this. The Newark Star-Ledger
J. California Cooper is absolutely brilliant. One of the best writers of all time. Jill Scott
My fifth-grade teacher . . . one day said, Instead of calling and asking me for advice, try reading J. California Cooper. Halle Berry
Wonderfully crafted. . . . Cooper s characteristic motherly wit carries an appealing raft of characters through a world tougher than it is tender, but touched with beauty and wisdom. Publishers Weekly

It is as if [Cooper] is patting the seat next to us, enticing us to come sit and listen. Ms.
A genius storyteller. The Boston Globe
Cooper s characters are the folk heroes of black culture. Essence
Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston s groundbreaking 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. . . . Narrated with gentle wit and humor, [Life Is Short But Wide] explores the importance of love, religion, redemption, and family. Library Journal

Cooper writes about love as if it were a small stream, a ray of hope, a whisper in God s ear, an essence all of its own. . . . A must read full of history, wisdom and love. Cityflight "

Book Description

This book has uneven edges by design.

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0385511345
• ISBN 13: 9780385511346
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 317