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Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 503
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 09:50 pm: | 
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Hello All,
I'm back again. This mourning thang is a natural b_tch! But, unlike my first Hello again, I came with a little something. I did pick up a book, a thick assted one at that titled, In Search of Nella Larsen by George Hutchinson.
I am a fan of the Harlem Renaissance. By fan, I am referring to the true representation of the word, fanatic. I believe I have read every novel by every author associated with the period, and a few biographies of the Harlem Renaissance authors; Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. I can now add this thoroughly engaging biography of Nella Larsen to the list. In Search of Nella Larsen: a Biography of the Color Line is a biography of the author of the novel Quicksand and Passing written by George Hutchinson. The popular notion concerning Nella Larsen is that her writing career was cut short by an accusation of plagiary. Also, because her biographical facts, as she relayed them seemed sketchy, at best, and with the plagiarism charge, she is widely remembered as a liar. Don’t get ticked off at me. I did not call Larsen a liar, but that’s the perception that I got when I read anything about her. Fortunately, for me and any other follower of the Harlem Renaissance era, Hutchinson wrote a well detailed, at times fascinating, at other times boring as Hell, biography of the mysterious Larsen. I am glad I read it.
Hutchinson did an extraordinary job documenting Larsen’s life, with literary no help from Larsen herself. Because Nella Larsen was not an open forthcoming person in life, she was downright tight lipped when it comes to her papers. Larsen literally left no papers behind, which is highly unusual for a one time popular, published writer. There was barely a paper collection left behind, and that paper trail is from other people, the bulk from the Carl Van Vetchen papers. Van Vetchen was a white man who was a prominent figure during the Renaissance. He, or shall I say his photographs of authors and other black artists are still in print today.
Hutchinson provides an extremely extensive accounting of Larsen with what little he had to work with. Hutchinson used what I like to call the “here, not here” approach to this biography. The “Here, not here” approach is when an author has little to nothing on the subject (Larsen) he is researching, so he takes the position that if he tells the reader everything about events and issues that the subject (Larsen) encountered, the subject (Larsen) will become clear indirectly. For instance, the subject lived in an apartment building, in a studio, across the street from the Empire State Building. Then the biographer proceeds to tell me all about the Empire State Building. Now, the author doesn’t know if the subject looked at the Empire State Building or not; whether the subject was fascinated with building or considered it an eyesore. All the biographer can do is relate the fact that the subject had a studio apartment across the street from the Empire State Building, which will in a roundabout way the reader could infer the subject’s financial situation, or the subject’s social circle, would the subject’s friends or associates see the apartment as a step up or a step down, etc.
Due to Hutchinson going the “here, not here” route, I received a brief history of the Chicago neighborhoods Larsen spent her childhood in; the social and political atmosphere Larsen lived in throughout her life; small, yet detailed, history of nursing starting from the Greek origin (now did I really need to know that…ah nope) and how the nursing professional was looked upon at the turn of the 20th century for both the white and black communities when Larsen began her nurses training; and the education and role of the librarian at the turn of the 20th century (oddly enough, I found this section fascinating) all of the elements that directly affected Larsen. While Hutchinson was unable to hear Larsen’s point of view, he constructed her world; thereby, allowing him (and me) to draw conclusions, albeit, the conclusions drawn from an informed sources.
Hutchinson dispelled a number of falsehoods concerning Larsen. What I loved the most about this was that he provided references to back up his claim. For example, Hutchinson made clear Larsen’s library career and how she was vital to the Renaissance at the beginning of the era. Larsen was the first black person to graduate from the Library School of the New York Library; thereby, becoming the first professionally trained librarian in New York. This was my first time hearing about a Library School, as well as learning how hard it was for a black person to be a librarian. Hutchinson uncovers the fact that it was Larsen who assisted in developing the 135th Street branch of the New York Library as a meeting place for the authors of the Renaissance. The credit is usually given neither to a Regina Anderson Andrews, who Hutchinson argues, could not have been in the position professionally nor geographically to achieve what Larsen did, yet she is given the kudos and not Larsen.
Although, Hutchinson was meticulous in his research and it shows throughout the book, I have to admit; at times I was bored to tears with it. I could care less about the origins of nursing, Fisk University, or Larsen’s social calendar, going to a dinner party here, or the theatre there. Logically, I can understand what Hutchinson was doing by discussing these subjects (Larsen’s position in black upper society is important when she withdraws from it) but, I have to say that there were times when the book was looking at me more than I was looking at it.
What I loved most concerning this biography is that Hutchinson discussed the other two biographies of Larsen: Nella Larsen, Novelist of the Harlem Renaissance: A Woman’s Life Unveiled by Thadious M. Davis and Invisible Darkness: Jean Toomer and Nella Larsen by Charles R. Larson. Hutchinson calls into questions several of the facts in which the two authors used to base their opinions on, for instance both books, according to Hutchinson, concluded that Larsen lied about her early life. Hutchinson proves that she did not. Hutchinson states why those beliefs are incorrect, and states where he obtained his facts and why his conclusions are the more accurate. *eyebrow raised* Ain't that some nerves or what? *LOL* A man after my own heart. I love it.
I will not say that In Search of Nella Larsen was off the hook…I fell asleep in too many of its chapters to make that claim. I have no problem stating that this biography is the definitive biography of Nella Larsen. Not only did I receive an education on Larsen, the author, I got one on New York, librarians and the Harlem Renaissance itself. Hutchinson did a remarkable job. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12349
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 10:56 am: |
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I'm also a fan of the Harlem Renaissance era and have always been particularly intrigued with the enigmatic Nella Larsen partly because she was overshadowed by Zora Neale Hurston, and also because she had a very interesting back story and, lastly, because relatives of mine knew her when she lived on the Fisk Campus during the time her husband was a chemistry professor there. I read and thoroughly enjoyed Thadious Davis' biography of Nella and I'll be checking out this book. Thanks for calling it to my attention, Thumper.
I sympathize with you about the mourning process. I've been negotiating this path for the last 5 years with the loss of so many loved ones, the most recent being my brother, who just passed away. But, - life goes on... |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 504
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 11:59 am: |
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Hello Cynique,
Sorry to hear about your brother. |
Carey
Veteran Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 825
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 02:23 pm: |
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Thump Thump Thump, I see you still got it booooy. That smooth un-pretentious thang you do with those reviews is a jewel.
That Nella Larsen piece championed all your strokes. You even dropped a little *eyebrow raised*. My man, I am glad that you are doing better!
Carey
Carey |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3008
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 02:38 pm: |
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Condolences to both of you, Thumper and Cynique.
I usually like to do one "thick book" for summer, but rarely have I tackled a biography. ANd it doesn;t sound like this is the one to start with. ("there were times when the book was looking at me more than I was looking at it" LOL!)
If you had to suggest one book about the period or authors, which would it be? |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 262
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 03:12 pm: |
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My condolences to you, Cynique. |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 506
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 07:00 pm: |
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Hello All,
Carey: I'm so glad you liked it. *smile*
Yvettep: Hey there!! How have you been? *big smile*
I haven't read a definitive book on the Renaissance that I would champion. There have been more than a few disputes concerning the period: when did the Renaissance start, when did it end, whose in it or not. For example, In Search of Nella Larsen, Jean Toomer nor his book Cane was a part of the Renaissance, Cane was BEFORE the it. Zora Neale Hurston's novel is said to be AFTER the Renaissance. So, I'm still waiting on the DEFINITIVE account of the period.
Mainly, I love reading the works of the authors themselves. Here's a small list:
1.) Blacker The Berry - Wallace Thurman. Excellent novel.
2.) Infants of the Spring - Wallace Thurman. Although many like to think that this book is an insider's look at the authors of the Renaissance, there have been a few books that counter that notion. But, the novel is still a very good read.
3.) Living Is Easy - Dorothy West. This is a nice size novel but it is off the hook.
4.) Home to Harlem - Claude McKay. The upper black society dogged out this novel when it came out, but I love it!
5.) Not Without Laughter - Langston Hughes. I love this novel. The only shame about this novel is that Langston Hughes didn't write more of them.
6.) Passing - Nella Larsen. Despite all of the criticism that is thrown at it, Passing is still a magnificent novel. It is my sincere hope and prayer is that Oprah DOES NOT buy the rights to it and decide to make a movie out of it. |
Carey
Veteran Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 829
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 07:38 pm: |
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Thump,
Didn't Oprah just mangle Hurston's Novel!!?? I love Oprah, no one has put more of themselves into our people than she. BUT ol'girl can reek havoc on a novel. From the jump, the actors in Oprah's adaptation of Hurston's book were a big miss. Am going to stop... I am about to eat me a nice prime rib and I don't want to have this.....this taste in my mouth.
Since you took me there, how about I throw...ahhh, BELOVED your way...owwwch *lol*. |
Carey
Veteran Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 830
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 07:57 pm: |
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Thump
There you go again. Langston's Not without laughter; from the opening scene with the storm brewing over the horizon and the dialog between the child and his grandmother, the image of the house and the screen door, I was hooked!
I have some of Langston's poems on tapes and I think I like my "voice" better than his *smile*. |
Nom_de_plume
Regular Poster
Username: Nom_de_plume
Post Number: 86
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 08:54 pm: |
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Funny you mention Wallace Thurman - Gentleman Jigger is the book that he supposedly plaigirized or had a marked similarity with that of Nugent's, though Nugent's wasn't published until now it had been written first. Something like that. It was in the introduction. LOL
I love it so far, very entertaining voice!
Haven't read any Dorothy West in a MINUTE, not since The Wedding came out with a bunch of fanfare about ten years ago? |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 510
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 03:05 am: |
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Hello All,
Nom_de_plume: I haven't heard of Gentleman Jigger. I'm glad you mentioned the book. I'm going to check that one out. Thanks.
The Living Is Easy was West's first novel and it was published in 1948. It's a bigger book than The Wedding. Check it out and let me know what you think. |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 512
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 11:27 am: |
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Hello All,
Carey: See, there you go with Beloved. I didn't mind Beloved so much, because the movie stuck pretty close to the novel, except for the ending.
Funny you should mention Langston Hughes voice. I have a cassette tape version of an audio book of Langston reading his poetry. Boy, talk about a dream shattered. In my own head, I somehow got the impression that I was going to hear a deep, mature voice; or even a melodic speech pattern. Finally, I get to hear these poetic masterpieces to by the master himself. And what did I get, Langston voice is worst than mine. And I believed I sounded bad. For those of you who have never heard me speak, my voice is a boy's voice permanently stuck in puberty purgatory, like any second now its going to go over to the male mature side, but it never does. Langston Hughes voice sounds just like mine except his voice is at a higher pitch. Honestly, if I had to hear that voice, I couldn't have sat through one of his poetry readings. |
Carey
Veteran Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 839
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 03:49 pm: |
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Hello
Okay Thump okay. Yeah, beloved wasn't that bad, I couldn't get past Thandie Newton's nasty mouth and that over the top ending. But wait, didn't Oprah and Danny do the...ahhh...you know. Picture that, Harpo and the dude from Cotton comes to Harlem. Yeah, that little dog in the bed and everythang.
I don't wish to send you down memory lane so I'll not mention a couple of others that I KNOW will make you start sounding like Langston Hughe.
Wasn't that a low, Langston's voice. I can remember all this antisipation I had, I was pumped. I put on ol'boy and Archie Bunker's wife fell out of there. I don't know, maybe some poetry is only meant to be read. And then again maybe some is meant to be heard by only the person that wrote it. I don't know, I wrote this thang and I thought it was tight. I had someone else read it and MAN....didn't sound the same. The pacing, the tone, everything was missing. I don't know, maybe it's just me.
Hey thump, we ain't going to start argueing up in here but I thought about the other couple of movies that just didn't do it....well, they were cool with me but what did you think of THE WEDDING and DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS *lol*. I know you are a busy man but I just have to hear your opinion on the movie scene over the last few years. Hit me with your best shot!
I am working on that chat night thing. I don't want someone up in there that's is going to bore us to sleep. AND!... with this crowd, things could get....you know. I can't wait though. I can't wait to get...ahhh...my beg on  .
I always felt a little intimidated inthe chat room. I am one of those one finger pluckers...okay pickers (don't y'all) and my spelling is atrocious. With a spellcheck not in play and considering my typing speed, I always felt like I was putting my tennis shoes on and everyone else was taking showers. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7064
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 02:19 pm: |
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I thought Beloved was about an hour and a half too long and that they should have gotten a real actress to play Sethe but I didn't understand the book until I saw the movie. |
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