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Quality
About "Quality":
WHERE HATE SHOULD SPRING,
SWELLED A SONG OF LOVE
Two fine young people loved each other. A doctor, red-headed, brilliant, handsome. A nurse, fair-skinned, soft-eyed, beautiful. And Wednesday was a good day for a wedding. Today was Wednesday.
But today these two young lovers are a thousand miles apart. There will be no wedding. Because, you see, somebody has stuck a label on the girl - the label, "Negro".
"Quality" is the stirring story of a Negro girl, who once passed for white, who chose honor above passion, and found glory in her struggle for a greater life, a greater love.
[Filmed as "Pinky" in 1949 by 20th Century Fox]
WHERE HATE SHOULD SPRING,
SWELLED A SONG OF LOVE
Two fine young people loved each other. A doctor, red-headed, brilliant, handsome. A nurse, fair-skinned, soft-eyed, beautiful. And Wednesday was a good day for a wedding. Today was Wednesday.
But today these two young lovers are a thousand miles apart. There will be no wedding. Because, you see, somebody has stuck a label on the girl - the label, "Negro".
"Quality" is the stirring story of a Negro girl, who once passed for white, who chose honor above passion, and found glory in her struggle for a greater life, a greater love.
[Filmed as "Pinky" in 1949 by 20th Century Fox]
- GenresFiction
278 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1947
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2017
The basis for the movie "Pinky," about an African American girl who "passes" as Caucasian only to return to her hometown, Quality is another excellent novel from Cid Ricketts Smith. I can see why so many movies were made from her books - her stories are engrossing and filled with humanity without making that all-too-easy crossover into tear-jerking soap opera.
The movie strays somewhat from the book, the latter offering additional contemporary characters, depth, and complexity. (The former has Jeanne Crain, directed by Elia Kazan, co-starring with Ethel Waters and Ethel Barrymore - watch for it on Turner Classic Movies. Like the book, it was quite controversial when first released.)
The movie strays somewhat from the book, the latter offering additional contemporary characters, depth, and complexity. (The former has Jeanne Crain, directed by Elia Kazan, co-starring with Ethel Waters and Ethel Barrymore - watch for it on Turner Classic Movies. Like the book, it was quite controversial when first released.)
September 10, 2017
The synopsis suggests that this is a love story, but it is not at all - it is about a young woman returning to the South and having to deal with the racist environment that would like to see her as white and then mistreats her when it realizes she also has black ancestors. Written in 1946, the story, the thoughts and ideas clearly connect to the later Civil Rights movement, showing how that movement has a long history. Definitely worth reading!
January 19, 2020
An excellent story about race, self-image, and honor.
🔥 Recommended.
🔥 Recommended.
September 10, 2025
I've watched the movie that is based on this book numerous times and wanted to read it. Liked having more of Pinkey's thoughts open to me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews