In language both spare and direct yet wondrously lyrical, life is short but wide is an irresistible story of family that pr. Cooper was born in 1932 and spent much of her life in california. Each of her short stories is a gem of downhome wisdom, polished with a bit of gossip, some heartbreak, and lots of humor. In as time goes by two very different sisters, futila. California cooper is the author of novels, six collections of stories, and seventeen plays. She was honored as black playwright of the year, and her work received the american book award, the james baldwin writing award, and the literary lion award from the american library association. The book reads as if your grandmother is telling you the. I have read several of her books and especially like reading the short stories to the residents at the assisted living facility where i am employed. The extraordinary debut short story collection from the awardwinning author of. The voice of the vernacular in ethnicity and the american short story, ed. In its strong folk flavor, coopers work reminds us of langston. During that time, her work caught alice walkers attention who suggested that she turn her plays into stories.
For faithful readers of cooper s novels and short stories. Homemade love, the winner of the 1989 american book award. Her first collection of short stories was piece of mine. The stories are diverse, but each feature female main characters and highlight issues they encounter in everyday life. She died a few months ago and that friend said this was one of her favourites so i picked it up. Alice walker cooper knows how to talk her stories to us, as though each of them is told by a kindly and concerned friend. This book was recommended to me by a good friend who absolutely loves j.
California cooper, who says she was telling stories before she could write, is the author of plays, short stories and novels. In almost every story, there seems to be some form of abuse or domestic violence against women. California cooper in this wise, beguiling, and beautiful novel set in the era of the civil war, awardwinning playwright and author j. Encouraged by walker to turn her popular storytelling skills to fiction, cooper wrote her first collection of short stories, a piece of mine, in 1984. California cooper first found acclaim as a playwright. Not much has been written about her early life, and all historical entries. California cooper anchor, dec 01, 1991 african american literature book club celebrating our literary legacy since 1997 black literature is for everyone african american literature book club.
California cooper about her latest collection of short stories, some ove, some pain, sometime, anchor and. She was writing plays when the writer alice walker encouraged her to try short stories. If a woman is going through something, and looking for a a inspiration. California cooper author of in search of satisfaction. The matter is life and some soul to keep, she is also the author of seventeen plays and has been honored as. California cooper promotes the belief that there is someone for everyone, and that someone is probably right here at home. For faithful readers of coopers novels and short stories. Each of her short stories is a gem of downhome wisdom, polished with a bit of gossip, some. California cooper came to prominence first during the 1970s in oakland, california, as a playwright, then in marshall, texas, as an author of short stories and novels. California cooper paints a haunting portrait of a woman named always and four generations of her africanamerican family. She was honored as black playwright of the year, and her work received the american book award, the james baldwin writing award, and the literary lion award from the.
California cooper, an awardwinning writer whose black female characters confront a world of indifference and betrayal, but find kinship there. I am a server during the days and one night volunteer to read out loud to. California cooper event date september 08, 2001 notes california cooper, who says she was telling stories before she could write, is the author of plays, short stories and novels. California cooper, shown in an undated photo, was the author of seven short story collections and five novels, including homemade love, which won an american book award in 1989. In as time goes by a young woman singlemindedly pursues material wealth, only to suffer from an empty heart. California cooper, author of tales of african american.
California cooper september 24, 2014 seattle ap prolific writer j. In almost every story, there seems to be some form of abuse or domestic v. This site is maintained by the authors publisher anchor books. Her book homemade love was the winner of the american book award in 1989, and she has been honored as the black playwright of the year. California cooper was an awardwinning prolific playwright and author who crafted tales about ordinary individuals living out their dreams. Cooper s work reminds us of langston hughes and zora neale hurston. California cooper, a writer who enjoyed a widespread acclaim for her fablelike tales built largely around the imagined lives of african american women, died sept. California cooper, who illuminated the struggles of black women in novels and short stories prized for their folksy wisdom and original voices, including those of an unborn child and a dead. California cooper, including in search of satisfaction, and family, and more on. California cooper, an awardwinning writer whose black female characters confront a world of indifference and betrayal, but find kinship there in unexpected places, died on saturday in seattle. Joan cooper november 10, 1931, berkeley, california september 20, 2014, seattle, washington, known by her pen name, j.
In as time goes by a young woman singlemindedly pursues material wealth, only to suffer f. California cooper, author of family, on librarything. The author of seventeen plays, she was named black playwright of the year in 1978. The author of 17 plays, she was honored as the black playwright of 1978. California cooper, was an american playwright and author. May 02, 2006 her latest work, wild stars seeking midnight suns, is a collection of short stories that highlight cooper s ability to spin simple tales filled with wisdom and insight. California cooper about her latest collection of short stories, wild stars seeking midnight suns.
Specifically, i examine the manner in which coopers texts can be appreciated as healing narratives. California coopers wild stars ed gordon talks with playwright and novelist j. California cooper has won a legion of loyal fans and much critical acclaim for her powerful storytelling gifts. California cooper has so deftly 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. I begin telling family members about her, and she is a family favorite. California cooper, who was writing plays until alice walker suggested she switch to short stories and novels, because they were an easier path to a paycheck, has died at age 82. Once i finished this book a piece of mine, i searched for other books by this author.
California cooper creates a magical world of simple, gracious characters who handle lifes challenges with awesome wisdom and grace. California cooper portrays the lives of african americans, bringing to light the impact of history, social and economic hardship, and enduring cultural strengths on the experiences of individuals and families. She was honored as black playwright of the year, and her work received the american book award, the james baldwin writing award, and the literary lion more about j. Wild stars seeking midnight suns is a collection of short stories by j. This study examines the therapeutic qualities of selected short stories and novels of contemporary african american woman writer, j. California cooper is a top 100 bestselling author making our list 29 times. The stories in this second collection from the author of a piece of mine are all about love. She has also received the james baldwin writing award and the literary lion award from the american library. She wrote 17 plays and was named black playwright of the year in 1978 for her play strangers. In as time goes by two very different sisters, futila and willa ways, are introduced. I am a server during the days and one night volunteer to read out loud to the memory care and then the assisted living residents.
Coopers power comes from sticking to her instinct, which is to tell a story, plain and simple the washington post. If youve habent done so already, i urge you to read the rest of her magnificent collection of novels and short stories. California cooper s short story collection, a piece of mine, was the first book to be published by wild trees pressa publishing company set up by african american novelist alice walker and her partner, robert allen. She was honored as black playwright of the year, and her work received the american book award, the james baldwin writing award, and the literary lion. It was through her work in the theater that she caught the attention of acclaimed poet and novelist alice walker. California cooper discusses her legacy and the stories behind her beloved works with charing ball.
California coopers irresistible collection of new stories explores the universal themes of romance, family, and the hopes that propel peoples dreams. California cooper is the author of the novels family and in search of satisfaction and five collections of stories. In almost every story, there seems to be some form of. A berkley, california native, cooper now lives in portland, oregon. Critics have compared her work to that of langston hughes and zora neale hurston, but j. The label short story is a woefully inadequate description of these intensely, explicitly moral tales. California cooper liane hansen speaks with the playwright and short story riter j. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. California cooper, whose novels and short stories drew on the african american experience. California cooper 2009, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. California cooper is the author of four novels and six collections of stories. Cooper died last saturday, leaving behind a valuable collection of work that readers are still discovering. I always seem to enjoy her books and short stories.
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