A new edition of Alice Childress's classic novel about African American domestic workers featuring a foreword by Roxane Gay
Recommended by Entertainment Weekly
The hilarious, uncompromising novel about African American domestic workers-from a trailblazer in Black women's literature and now featuring a foreword by Roxane Gay
First published in Paul Robeson's newspaper, Freedom, and composed of a series of conversations between Mildred, a black domestic, and her friend Marge, Like One of the Family is a wry, incisive portrait of working women in Harlem in the 1950s. Rippling with satire and humor, Mildred's outspoken accounts vividly capture her white employers' complacency and condescension-and their startled reactions to a maid who speaks her mind and refuses to exchange dignity for pay.
Upon publication the book sparked a critique of working conditions, laying the groundwork for the contemporary domestic worker movement. Although she was critically praised, Childress's uncompromising politics and unflinching depictions of racism, classism, and sexism relegated her to the fringe of American literature. Like One of the Family has been long overlooked, but this new edition, featuring a foreword by best-selling author Roxane Gay, will introduce Childress to a new generation.
By:
Alice Childress
Foreword by:
Roxane Gay
Imprint: Beacon Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 213mm,
Width: 140mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 312g
ISBN: 9780807050743
ISBN 10: 0807050741
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 01 September 2018
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword by Roxane Gay Introduction by Trudier Harris Selected Bibliography by Trudier Harris Like One of the Family Listen for the Music On Sayin’ No Ridin’ the Bus Buyin’ Presents If You Want to Get Along with Me Got to Go Someplace The Pocketbook Game New York’s My Home All About My Job Bubba The Health Card Your Soul...Another You Signs of the Times Aren’t You Happy? Nasty Compliments Old as the Hills Mrs. James Hands All the Things We Are I Liked Workin’ at that Place Good Reason for a Good Time I Go to a Funeral Weekend with Pearl More Blessed To Give Sometimes I Feel So Sorry I Go to Church I Hate Half-Days Off What Does Africa Want? Freedom! I Wish I Was a Poet Economy Corner In the Laundry Room I Could Run a School Too I Visit Yesterday Story Tellin’ Time About Those Colored Movies Why Should I Get Upset? Inhibitions What Is It All About? We Need a Union Too Pretty Sights and Good Feelin’s Dope and Things Like That Merry Christmas, Marge! On Leavin’ Notes The “Many Others” in History Interestin’ and Amusin’ A New Kind of Prayer History in the Makin’ Dance with Me, Henry Ain’t You Mad? Discontent Northerners Can Be So Smug Let’s Face It If Heaven Is What We Want Where Is the Speakin’ Place? Missionaries So Much for Nothing The Benevolent Club All About Miss Tubman ABC’s of Life and Learning Somehow I’d Like to Thank Them Men in Your Life
Alice Childress (1916-1994) was a playwright, novelist, and actress. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised and educated in Harlem, she is the author of numerous plays, including Wedding Band, Wine in the Wilderness, and the Obie Award-winning Trouble in Mind-as well as books for young adults, such as Rainbow Jordan and A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich. Roxane Gay's writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times Book Review, Bookforum, Time, and Los Angeles Times. She is also the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, and the New York Times best seller Bad Feminist. Her latest book, Hunger, is forthcoming from Harper in 2016.
Reviews for Like One of the Family: Conversations from a Domestic's Life
Recommended by Entertainment Weekly A novel that proves that humor can be the deadliest of weapons...If power were based on worth, Mildred would be running the nation, not cleaning someone else's house. --Women's Review of Books
