I was told this book was a must-read and I searched and searched for the book. I finally ordered the book offline and was not disappointed after reading it. Bernice McFadden's character voice defined this book. The novel follows the story of Easter Bartlett, an uneducated African American woman from the South who has learned early in life to run from her problems.
The book began with a series of "ifs" -- if this had not happened then this would not have occurred, etc... until the series of events reaches the main character, Easter. I was drawn in immediately to this creative introduction. Easter leaves her hometown in the beginning of the book and her life of moving around the country begins. Her reaction to any compromising or difficult situation is to leave her past behind. The book moves through different parts of the South and the East, but much of the action occurs in New York City.
Although the book follows a fictional character, she encounters historical figures and lives through real events. For example, Easter is complimented at a party by Langston Hughes and she see Marcus Garvey speaking in the streets of Harlem. Bernice McFadden offhandedly mentions an exhibit in the Bronx Zoo featuring a man named Oto Benga. I looked up the truth behind this mention and realized the exhibit actually existed. If anything, I wish McFadden had written a longer book to dwell more on the historical significance of Easter's experiences.
I commend this writer for a taking a stance in her writing and revealing a real aspect of America's history without holding back truths that our schools often choose to overlook. Note: If you have not read works written the influential authors of the Harlem Renaissance mentioned in Glorious, I recommend you do so.
