Orphea Proud

by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

HOT ICETaboo to the touchA fire in the coldThat was usWelcome to a stage, where a soaring painting takes shape before your eyes, a big-booty poet stands at the mike, and there’s a seat right in front, just for you. This is a place where wise old ladies live and boys act like horses.This is a vision of love that was crushed and brought back to life. And this is my story. I’m Orphea Proud. Welcome to the show.As Orphea, who discovers her sexuality as a lesbian, shares her story, powerful questions of family, prejudice, and identity are explored.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Teen

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2004

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge believer in the right to read and I picked this one up simply because it was on the list one radical right wing Texas representative wants to ban from school and public library shelves. I believe everyone deserves to find themselves reflected in books at the library and I'm an even bigger believer that everyone needs to see realistic portrayals of others in the books at the library. Reading fiction has been shown to increase empathy and that's what our society desperately needs right now. This book contributes to that and as such is a valuable addition to any library.

A coming-of-age story about a young girl in the south discovering her roots and her self at the same time. Told part in prose and part in poetry, it's a quick read. 3 stars

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

: 17-year-old Orphea Proud’s life is turned upside down by the death of her best friend and secret sweetheart Lissa. She pulls her life back together and starts afresh living in her mother’s old town with her two aunts. Orphea explains her background and how she became a poet with a regular gig…and she tells the "audience" right before one of her shows. This reads very true. The background development of Orphea and her family are well-done; you know why she is named Orphea, and why she is living with her older brother…and why she hates living with her older brother. It shows her progression from being terrified of performing in front of an audience to her being able to command the stage with self-assurance. I love the snippets of her poetry at the beginning of the chapters, a very nice touch. Orphea’s struggles to fit in and accept herself for who she is, and getting others to accept her, reads very well.
Recommended for 16 or above; some strong language and sexuality issues.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyeth has written an enticing wonderful book about about a mixed race girl who encounters not only prejudice and discrimination, but finds her salvation in literary mediums, family, and developing maturity.

I cannot really explain how much I enjoyed this book. It is well-written, with low and high points to emphasizes the pacing. and tone of the book. While the poetry is not something you want to write home about, it truly reflects the type of work an marginalized young firl might write.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Rye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book dearly. All of the characters, and the main characters story... it was real and it resonated with me. I must say that Orphea's caretaker attacked somewhat stereotypically, but other than that I found few flaws. It wasn't a highly active book, but I found it sweet in its slowness. Four stars.

[Gabrielle Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so much respect for this author because she wrote a novel catered to young-adult readers about homosexuality. In an effort to promote acceptance, I think it should be a summer reading novel for other Young Adults. Also there is some really great poetry in here!!!!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A YA book I worked on with my boss at Random House. It's about a lesbian!

[Sarah Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orphea Proud is on stage telling you her story in poetry and spoken word while her cousin paints behind her. It is a story of family, love, heartbreak and redemption.

[Chasity · Rating 1 out of 5]

boo.