Joy

by Marsha Hunt

“All families got secrets, but Joy’s had more than their fair share. So while I’m able to tell you what she did, ain’t no use me pretending that I know why … they was just born under bad moons.”

This is the story of Joy Bang and her sisters, three singers who dream of a glittering future that briefly, too briefly is theirs. When Joy dies unexpectedly, the floodgates of Baby Palatine’s memory are opened. Foster mother to the sisters from their childhood, she remembers the hopes and dreams which fuelled their meteoric rise. But as the family gathers for the funeral, Baby is forced to acknowledge that as well as the Joy she loved and worshipped, there was another Joy she had never known …

A compelling story of jealousy and love, tragedy and deception, and of growing up black in a white world, this is Marsha Hunt’s powerful first novel.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

American-born singer, actress and writer who grew up in Philadelphia, she studied at the University of California, Berkeley, during the student riots of the 1960s but shortly afterwards went to Europe. [...] In London she made her name in the hit musical Hair, Her celebrated career that followed includes fifteen years in rock music, work in radio, on stage and screen. She has been a member of the Royal National Theatre (1983-6) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (1989).

(from Daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby)

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this back in the early nineties and loved it. The ending was a surprise and not predictable which most books r. Joy i must say was a hot mess and she reminded me of two things that people only allow u to see what they want u to see but eventually whatever is done in the dark comes to light. The elderly woman basically has a fondness for joy as she is growing up and sees nothing but pure joy in her. But after she dies she learns some horrible things that joy did to ruin people lives. I have smile just thinking about that ending!

[Genevieve Kuzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family turmoil, ghosts of the past, unhealed wounds, the minutiae of everyday, structural racism, unconditional love, trauma and revenge, dreams and desire all flows together beautifully in this character driven drama narrated by Baby Palatine, an older wise Black woman, while she navigates the recent death of her 'God-sent child' Joy. You take a front seat to her unfiltered, often times hilarious perspective as the memories of her life and her witty and raw insights peel back the layers of those close to her and Joy. The writing is intricate, dense and authentic allowing the reader to feel and deeply understand all the characters and their actions.

It also would be remiss of me not to mention that the language and slang used in this book is an important time capsule of a Black woman of her generation and I was drawing parallels between the slang used today and the phrases/words she was using.

[Lisagilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bizarre ending but could listen to the voice of baby p all day.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I gave this an OK, read two weeks ago and remember only what a bore it was, seemed fake to me

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. In the category of "unreliable narrators", the one Hunt created stands in my mind as being one of the best. The fact that you really believe her while questioning her all the time is not only a brilliantly executed narrative choice, but allows us to hear her interesting, distinctive voice. I love how Marsha Hunt writes!!!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this book in 93 when i was in high school and loved it. The family is crazy and Joy is sneaky and selfish and the ending shock me and it should be a movie.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever! Have read more than once. Actually gave out a few copies I had purchased when Karibu Books were still in business.