Betsey Brown
OCLC 11624091 | | |
| Preceded by | Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo | |
|---|---|---|
| Followed by | Liliane | |
Betsey Brown is an African-American literature novel by Ntozake Shange, published in 1985.
Plot
Betsey Brown is the story of an adolescent African-American girl growing up in 1959
Major themes
Thematic concerns of the novel include African-American family life, coming of age, feminism, and racial freedom. One critic described the narrative structure of the novel as paralleling "the personal story of Betsey’s attaining self-confidence with the social achievements of the
Development history
In order to write the novel, Shange drew on her own experiences growing up in St. Louis, but the resulting novel is not entirely autobiographical.[2] Nevertheless, like Betsey Brown, Shange really did know such African-American celebrities as Chuck Berry and W. E. B. Du Bois.[3]
Publication history
Betsey Brown was published in 1985 by St. Martin's Press.[4]
Explanation of the novel's title
Set in the aftermath of
Literary significance and reception
Though perhaps the least known of Shange's work, the novel has been called "a little gem".[2]
Adaptations
Shange adapted the novel into a musical play, which has been performed in various cities.[5]
References
- ^ a b Crisu, Corina Anghel (Spring 2006). ""Speak Up, Ike, an 'Spress Yo'se'f" Sentimental Romance Revisited in Ntozake Shange's Betsey Brown". Americana. 2 (1). Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Alward, Emily (2010). "Betsey Brown" in Masterplots (4th ed.). Ipswich, MA: EBSCO.
- ^ Rankovic, Catherine (Winter 1995–1996). "An Interview with Ntozake Shange" (PDF). Gateway Heritage. 16 (3). Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ^ Richards, Sandra (2001). Valerie Smith (ed.). "Ntozake Shange" in African American Writers (2nd ed.). New York: Scribner's. pp. 651–667.
- ^ a b Phelan, Peggy (October 1991). "Betsey Brown". Theatre Review. 43 (3): 383–385.