A Woman's Place

by Marita Golden

The compelling story of three black women who meet at a New England college in the late sixties and form a friendship that will guide them through the changes, the joys, and the tears of the coming years
 
Faith, small-boned and delicate, the daughter of a strong-willed mother and a father she no longer remembers, longs for the one experience that will show her to herself. Serena, a passionate and outspoken radical, has an intense political commitment and pride in her African roots, which will lead her to find a life on a continent far away. And Crystal, a poet from girlhood, has a long love affair with words that will be put to the ultimate test when she must explain to her father her love for a man of another race.

Praise for  A Woman’s Place
 
“A radical new talent . . . The poignancy invites comparison to The Color Purple. ”— New Woman
 
“A book that should be bought, read, and cherished, because it is a story of hope, a story of triumph and, above all, a testimony to resilience.” — The Philadelphia Tribune

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1986

About the author

Marita Golden (born April 28, 1950) is an award-winning novelist, nonfiction writer, distinguished teacher of writing and co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, a national organization that serves as a resource center for African-American writers.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ann Korte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I no longer care if the women find their places.

[Sophie Kressy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. I liked that the main characters were idealistic but flawed, like most young women are. Self-discovery within a constraining system.

[Book.Wormette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! The main characters were diverse and unique individuals: poet, social activist, and mother. I admired their friendship, and their individual growth and challenges. I like that each chapter is the experiences and thoughts of individual characters; it was a unique and enjoyable point of view change from the traditional narrative point of view. The novel is a short, only 240 pages, enjoyable and quick read. If you love reading about women of color and their navigation through the world, then I think you'll love this story.

[Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kept my attention. But in a not so satisfying way I was constantly reminded of the fact that this book was published in '86. I mostly say that because of the men these three women chose. One of the men, who we got a recurring POV from, outright stated multiple times that he had married a child. Even though she wasn't literally underage she might as well have been, especially given his age. He did make me chuckle though when he described his wife's friend saying that "she's like a lot of those overeducated women. Nobody can tell her anything" (p. 233) I mean which woman wouldn't be proud to have their friend described in that way or better yet be described in that way?

[Erriel Roberson]

Great book. I read this many years ago.

[Tineka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the three main characters were focused on making the lives they wanted.

[Esraa Gamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been avoiding this book for over a year because, every time I picked it and read the back cover, I'd think "well, nothing new, just the same old story about 3 friends and the challenges they have to face through life"
However, it turned out better than I thought. I found a little bit of myself in all the characters and that was the interesting part for me. Faith's search for peace, Crystal's contemplative nature and her passion for words, and Serena's enthusiasm. The author moves with ease from one character to the other. Also, the manner in which each character spoke matched their role perfectly and made them easier to imagine.

The only thing I didn't like about book was the character of Rasheed, Aisha's husband. I think it was the stereotypical misrepresentation of Muslim husbands. Just like the media, I think the book denounced Islam when it symbolized it through Rasheed's actions. And honestly I'm tired of this image and it needs to stop. Since it's repeated every day in all sorts of media, that Muslim men are barbaric, uncivilized creatures, the first thing that comes to people's minds when they hear the word Islam is "abuse". However, the purpose of Islam is completely far from that. Islam is all about peace. And that idea needs to be adopted and spread through the media so that people can know the real aims behind Islam.

[Amy Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the back cover, I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with this book. Another book about friends (3 in this case) going through ups and downs of life and I am getting tired of those kind of books. Each "chapter" is told in first person from the 3 women in this book plus some others.