Homemade Love

by J. California Cooper

In one of the best-loved volumes of her work, J. California Cooper tells exuberant tales full of wonder at the mystery of life and the hardness of fate. Awed, bedeviled, bemused, all of Cooper's characters are borne up by the sheer power of life itself.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, African American, Audiobook, Romance, Black Literature, Race

175 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

J. California Cooper first found acclaim as a playwright. The author of seventeen plays, she was named Black Playwright of the Year in 1978. It was through her work in the theater that she caught the attention of acclaimed poet and novelist Alice Walker. 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. Called "rich in wisdom and insight" and "a book that's worth reading," A Piece of Mine introduced Cooper's trademark style: her intimate and energetic narration, sympathetic yet sometimes troubled characters, and the profound moral messages that underlie seemingly simple stories. Two more story collections followed on the heels of A Piece of Mine. In 1986 came Homemade Love, winner of an American Book Award, and, in 1987, Some Soul to Keep.

Reviews

[Jennifer nyc · Rating 3 out of 5]

What stood out about this short story collection, first published in 1986, was how conversational it was. It felt like I’d been invited into a neighbor’s home to relax and hear the stories of her life. I’ve said something similar in other reviews, but I meant it metaphorically to give a sense of the depth of, and accessibility to, the narrator. These stories, however, really sounded like someone was chatting to me over a pot of tea.

I read a history book a few years ago called The Common Wind, which argued the probability that a sophisticated network of communication developed between slaves from different Caribbean islands. Since slaves couldn’t read, they’d gather news of other slave communities by listening to the conversations and watching the behaviors of the whites, and then would carefully spread what they learned to other islands by talking to a trusted source. J. California Cooper seemed to celebrate this oral tradition in Homemade Love.

Homemade Love is the perfect title for this collection – injected into each story is some version of it: distorted love, naive love, divine love, merging love, and kindness. The voices are of men and women of varying ages and life roles who are funny and folksy. Did these stories blow me away? No. Is it worth reading? Yes. And each time you close a chapter, you may find yourself walking away with some of that love.

[Brown Girl Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homemade love is a collection of short stories told in dialect. Each story has its own special story of love. Cooper talks of homemade love - love which doesn't come in a typical way. It's a special something, something love. You'll be moved by the originality of each of these short stories. They are told in a simple style and they won't leave you untouched. They are balanced, give a moral and some excellent advice on love and life. Cooper will be sadly missed and was not highlighted as much as she should have been for her brilliance, simplicity, and meaningful writing. Homemade love was given the American Book Award in 1989 and justly so for its great stories. Readers you won't feel like there's something missing at the end. You 'll feel as if you're in on the secret too, and so much so that as soon as you finish you'll want to start Homemade Love all over again.

[Eugenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More bite sized brilliance - I could read J. California Cooper till the chickens go to roost.

[Latiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in my early twenties and held on to it because I knew the day would come when I would want to read it again. Over the years, I have purged many books, but I held on to all of Cooper's work because I have been profoundly affected by her words. This book was no exception. Coming back to this book after having lived a little, I was pleased that many of the stories had new meaning for me. Especially, "Happiness does not come in Colors." I know from experience that it doesn't. What I love most about this particular set of stories is it felt as if I were having a conversation about life with an older, wiser friend. The stories are simple in context, but packed full of love and wisdom. The characters are not highly educated people, but they take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. I was also quite pleased to stumble across the final story, "Spooks." When I was in college, I turned this story into a screenplay and I remember my classmates and I were laughing so hard we could barely get through it.

My teacher loved it so much that she suggested I reach out to Cooper and request permission to pitch it to some local theaters. I knew I was not going in that direction in my professional career, so I declined. I am thankful that I held on to this book and who knows...after I have lived a little bit more, I may revisit it again. It's almost like a dear sweet old friend.

[Nea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this book is that it soothed me. Like a big hug from grandma or a slice of peach cobbler, it warmed those frigid places in my soul. For obvious reasons, African American historical fiction often has the opposite effect. I usually find it deeply painful, though necessary, to endure those literary walks through our truths. At the same time, I crave books like Homemade Love. Books that enliven realistic African American characters, yet the richness of their love and laughter dominates the story. I'm so fortunate to have finally read this.

[Sandra]

I thought this book was hilarious in the first couple of short stories. Then I was saddened because of the content of some of the stories. It actually made me print up that old "slave masters" document by Willie Lynch, how to make a slave. It harbored some of the those old feelings of light skinned versus dark skinned. If it had just been a single story with that concept, I don't think I would have been so saddened.
But it seemed to be prevalent in multiple stories. I look forward to a time when such feelings do not exist, not even in fiction.

[Rae | My Cousin’s Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. California Cooper just doesn't miss!!

This collection of short stories is based on the idea of "homemade love" which means something that is authentica and genuine - can't be bought in a store. I really enjoyed the different stories and the conversational style writing that each one has. Each story has a meaningful moral and can invoke feelings of gratefulness, love, sadness, despair and longing.

This is also a very quick read and would be a great choice for a bookclub!

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this collection of short stories and I fell in love with J. California Cooper all over again. She was an excellent story teller. Each story deals with love, different types and on different levels. There are some powerful lessons in this little book.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story collections are always a hit-or-miss for me. A lot of the time, I either end up feeling too invested in the characters when the story abruptly stops or not quite vested enough. This collection left me satisfied and smiling after each story (weird sentence). While these stories are only loosely connected by the theme of love, they felt like you were moving around the same town - reading about people who might know each other.

J. California Cooper's style is the most unique I have read in a long time. It is the most genuine rendition of southern black folks that I have encountered - without that hokey factor (this is probably due to the fact that Cooper was a playwright before she ever wrote a short story). I kept the book around for a couple of weeks and just read a story or two whenever the mood arose. Either the stories get better, or I grew more attached as I read through them. The last story (Spooks) should be a classic.

Now, that I'm done - I will have to pick up another one of her collections in order to help ease this book hangover.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no place like home...There is no place like home...There is no place like home (sometime) no matter how difficult. I know all those people, in fact, I thought I caught glimpses of myself in a few of the stories!

[smoked_honey Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started my love of all things J. California Cooper.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audiobook. Loved that each chapter was a different story filled with life's lessons and love. I plan to listen to it again.

[Stefanie Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this was my first J. California Cooper book, that made me fall in love with her writing!!!!

[Jerrika Rhone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew child, the story of the man who calls his wife then leave.....I CACKLED so loud! LOL

40% Done: What a delightful set of stories <3

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to @stmartinspress & @netgalley for my gifted copy‼️

This was a great collection a bit different from her previous short story collection because I found this one to be a little humorous. In many of the stories characters were in search of something they already had right in front of them. In the others characters were in search for more than what their current situations had to offer only to find things out the hard way.

My favorite stories were the few that had me laughing:

Living- This story was hilarious. Seymour left his wife for the city life. He was only gone a few days before he was running back home.

Down That Lonesome Road - This was a funny story as well all I can say is it involved a sex toy and she got way more than she bargained for.

Spooks- This was by far the craziest story of them all cause I just know that woman wasn’t that naive. She was basically tricked out her panties lmao

Overall, I enjoyed this collection and would recommend‼️ Each story presented a different theme surrounding love, marriage, forgiveness, motherhood, sex, wealth, friendship, or life. I did enjoy how the author shifted perspectives throughout. One minute you’re sympathizing with a character then the next you’re laughing. I also loved how quickly each story pulled you into its drama.

[Stacy-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much that I want to read it again. I love everyone of the stories and characters also the plot. My favaorate one was the last story in the book wich was 'Spooks' I find it very funny.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this collection of short stories. It felt a lot like sitting at a church picnic or family reunion and listening to the older women telling stories about the other women from their church or neighborhood. Each one felt very conversational. These are very much character driven stories of everyday life and they are just a delight to read.

[Lorna Satchwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the stories. The stories have so much wisdom and insight!

[Edgle Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute and interesting collection of short stories! I enjoyed every story!

[Sarah Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet little book i read on my plane ride

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read. JCC focuses on African-Americans in the south and tells hilarious and heartfelt stories of love and loss. I love this so much! One story made me cry and others made me laugh out loud! Also wonderful to see so many love stories of over 40 humans. (Heart emoji)

[Diana Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! There was only one story I didn't care for and that was the last one. Other than that, I devoured this book. It made me feel like I was in a room full of grandmothers and M'Dear's that were sharing all of their intimate secrets and stories that I wasn't supposed to hear. I can't wait to read more of her writing.

[Madie J. Searcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a J. California Cooper fan. I have read mostly all of her works and I really love the eathiness of her characters. She writes about people you know or with whom you have come in contact. They are your relatives, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. There is always a message or a lesson learned; or one that should be learned. Always a good read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of seven short stories. Each one about the love affairs (or non love affairs) of black women back in the 1940's and 1950's. I enjoyed it and came away thinking that nothing has changed in a woman's quest to find true love.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I choose the name 'Homemade Love' because it is love that is not bought, not wrapped in fancy packaging with glib lines that often lie. It is not full of false preservatives that may kill us one way or another. Is usually done from the bottom up, with care, forethought, planning, and consideration for others. [...] Homemade goes a long way. Usually lasts longer than we do. So, I said, I would like some Homemade Love. Have some." (Author's note)

This was indeed a more cheerful and fun short story collection! And unlike A PIECE OF MINE the stories all seemed to have a different lesson although the narrator's voices did blend together. They all sounded like sage older Black women prone to using aphorisms and sly innuendos which isn't the worst trait in the world for a narrator. I adored this collection, the stories were straightforward and sweet. Occasionally they veered into being overly sentimental or moralizing but that wasn't a frequent occurrence. Cooper's raunchy sense of humor is even more present here than in her previous collection, sex is very openly and frequently discussed. I was especially moved by a number of her stories centering on older women who either despaired of ever finding love or ever loving again. Those stories didn't settle for the women finding mere contentment, they either fall in instalove or learn to love and still have great sex (or better sex than in their first marriage).

'Spooks' is undoubtedly the standout because it's nuts in the best way. It's over the top and somewhat perverse but it was really unexpected! There also seemed to be less of an overt Christian tone in these stories. There's still a strong sense of right and wrong but faith isn't discussed as much. That was neither a good or bad thing for me but I wanted to point it out in case people felt strongly about that content. Additionally once again it's hard to tell where precisely the stories are set, the author smoothly moves from the country to the city. And regionally it's not clear so I don't want to assume it's the South. Cooper's sly humor is also present even when not related to sex, one of her characters proclaims her reluctance to farm, "And I'm mighty careful to stay away from things even look like they close to slavery" (28, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors'). I have literally had this same thought when it comes to staying on a farm or even going apple picking so I was greatly amused that Cooper had a similar thought in the 1980s (and surely writers before her). Also Cooper's writing on interracial relationships might be my favorite, she's just so funny. She doesn't pass judgement on interracial relationships but there was one section about what happens when a Black man passes away and his white wife inherits his land that took my breath away, "I ain't gonna draw this out no more cause there ain't nothin to say nohow! Cept that his white woman inherited all that land! All that dream! All that work! Yes...they got it back! All that land heavy with his folks' blood, sweat and tears. Didn't cost her nothing!" (115, 'Having Fun'), I was unexpectedly moved. But she doesn't punch down on interracial relationships, another one of her stories reminds readers that it's what's on the inside and how they treat you and your people that matters more than skin color. A cliche reminder but the story was uniquely told.

HOMEMADE LOVE is a collection of short stories that focus on Black joy and also reminded me why I love being Black. It was unexpectedly therapeutic to read stories about Black women finding love and happiness. The stories are modest but cleverly told in a distinctive unassuming voice. While it can be hard to distinguish a difference in narrators, many of them go unnamed and I think that's because Cooper doesn't want us to focus on them. The point is the stories the narrators are telling and sharing the lessons they learned by observing their family members and cousins. These stories aren't bubbly, there's some hardship and trauma but overall they were pleasant and hopeful. If Cooper's stories go back to being emotionally tough to handle then at least I have this palette cleanser to return to. Next up will either be SOME SOUL TO KEEP (in order) or FAMILY (because I actually own this one and my wallet/overflowing bookshelves need me to make some progress).

OTHER FAVORITE LINES:
"Life is really something too, cause you can stand stark raving still and life will still happen to you. It's gonna spill over and touch you no matter where you are! [...] I hear people say they so bored with life. Ain't nothing but a fool that ain't got nothing to do in this here world" (1, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')

"Life is more like the rain. The river and the lake lay down for you. All you got to do is learn how to swim fore you go where they are and jump in. But life don't do that. you always get the test fore you learn the swimming lesson, unexpected like rain. You don't go to the rain, the rain comes to you." (6, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')

"We talked. Mostly. about what we want out of life. Not to get rich. But a home, children, love, peace and happiness. All the things we need and some of the things we want" (43, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors')

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories that each have a love theme to them. The stories are all quite witty and the writing is excellent. Nothing particularly gripping in my opinion, but a short and easy read.

[Flashette · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell this is one of J.California Cooper's earlier books. The stories were not as polished or as interesting as the stories she has written in the past few years.

[Oko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, authentic, inspiring, an convincing book!!!! Great job Ms. J. California Cooper !!!

[Racheal]

everything about J.style fits my personality as a reader...I can never pick up her books and put it down until I have completely read all of it..Shes the greatest!!

[Victoria Waklatsi-Nutakor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all of her stories!!!