Good Hair

by Benilde Little

Alice Andrews has her hands full living in Manhattan, working as a reporter in Newark, and trying to forget the smooth-talking investment banker she thought was Mr. Right. When she meets Jack Russworm, a handsome, Harvard-educated doctor, it seems as though things are finally falling into place. But as their romance starts to heat up, their differences start bubbling to the surface. Will they sizzle together, or will Alice get burned? A delicious, eye-opening look at the world of upper-class Black Manhattanites.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Romance, Chick Lit, Novels, Adult Fiction, African American Literature

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nakia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was wack, Many of the events were so unreal and too unbelievable. The author was horrible at developing any of the characters...in fact she didn't develop ANY of them. The plot suddenly appeared four chapters before the book ended. All of the characters were extremely irrational. I have no idea how this book was considered a hit when it first came out.

[Nikki Culbreth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book really sucked! It was guilty of the very things she pretended to criticize. I was expecting something a little bit more enlightened based on the title of the book. Instead, it was a 237 page love story. Completely pointless. Honestly, the guy probably ends up cheating on her in the future. This book is silly and lacks purpose.

[Arnetra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quote from the book" After all, there have always been house Negroes and field Negroes and there always will be."
There are just so many blacks in D.C., its just important to make distinctions since there aren't enough Whites or other kinds of people to make enough separate groups. Its just human nature."

I like books that affirm my thoughts, however ugly they may be there's still value in it.

[Izetta Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first reading of Good Hair came many years ago, and my reading then, is very different from how I read the book now as a womyn who's lived a bit longer. During my first reading, I was confused about why men took such a central role in the text, why clothing was so important, and the dialogue I find troubling.

Now I can understand that Little was speaking to a particular experience and stage of womynhood, and I can appreciate the book more. I can forgive the language more - and can see the way that Little is signifying code switching and pretention with language. And, having now read more literature, I can see how clothing becomes a trope for the evolution of the characters. Margaret Atwood does this in her book, The Blind Assassin, in which clothing is of the utmost importance, as it conveys detail that reveal the character of each womyn.

In re-reading Little's book, I'm struck by how issues of sexual abuse, class, and security are drawn out in the novel. You can see the ways that class and social status are played out in some Black communities. Little also does not shy away from discussing color dynamics - which are a bit troubling, for a number of reasons; one being that in the book, it is the lighter-skinned characters, particularly the womyn, who are generally portrayed as dishonest, out of touch, and morally bereft.

The main character Alice's struggle to love and be loved authentically, the role that therapy plays in the book, and the friendship between Cheryl and Alice, reflected for me, much of what it's like to be a young professional womyn of color. Little discusses and creates a novel that dealt with things like sexual abuse and difficult relationships with one's mother in a ways that were new and honest. Outside of Bebe Moore Campbell there weren't many authors writing, snapshots or coming of age love stories for womyn.

But as an adult, having lived in places like Boston, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, or Atlanta, there are scenes that are powerfully accurate and laugh out loud funny.

Because of this, I had to re-rate it for 3 stars instead of the 2 I originally gave it.

[Sy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be the soft-cover hollywood version of a W. E. B. Du Bois-type message about the Black upper class and their obsession with appearances. It wasn't a complete waste of my time, but almost.

[Titilayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

so disappointed!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't get it.

[Mary Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read - I loved all the New Jersey familiarity. I enjoyed the discussions around colorism and class differences, as well. The dialogue felt rushed at times.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in YEARS I returned to the library without marking my favorite quote (or at least acknowledging that nothing stuck out) but I genuinely do not remember if I forgot or nothing resonated.

The author deftly explores the nuances of the Black elite and through the character of Alice points out many the hypocrisies and rules of wealthy Black people. This is slightly more common now but it manages to still feel revolutionary (excluding Little's other books I can think of three other novels that cover similar terrain). I don't think the contents of this novel are particularly shocking until you realize it's set in the late 20th century, not during the 1800s. And yet being light and all the subsequent physical characteristics that are thought to come with that are still the end-all-be-all for the Black elite still matter tremendously. In addition to the class divisions described the book also tackles sexual abuse and this is also where the book really shines when Alice describes how insecure and unsure she is in her life as a result of a childhood trauma.

However the writing is uneven and erratic at parts which would jar me out of enjoyment of the book. I also found Alice's naïveté was a bit annoying because I didn't find it realistic but it probably is actually accurate. The mental illness aspect felt a bit more rushed and thrown in but it wasn't a terrible distraction and towards the end it seemed to be explored fairly well. I also thought the ending was realistic although I'm not sure if the author intended for me to end the book thinking it was realistic because Alice's husband is not perfect but she's going into the marriage with her eyes open. The characters weren't particularly well developed but the novel manages to pack in a lot although I wish it hadn't all been so rushed.

[Nakia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggle love featuring snobs with money? Try again.
Awful stereotypes about those with lesser means? Throw it away.

I can't imagine the response to this book had this been released now. I wanted to blame my lack of connection to this story on the time period it was released, but I've read a handful (or two) of popular African American novels from the 90s over the last five years, and character and story development weren't lacking with those. This one stands alone.

Quick, easy read though.

[Faith Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was privileged to be listing on the same author site as she though I did not deserve it. Benilde does a great job of contrasting worlds.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't know if I want to give it 2.5 stars or 3 stars. It was an ok read just nothing for me

[ClassicPink · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven’t had an ending make me that angry in a long time. I’m still confused whether the writing was just too good and the characters were just awful or if it was the other way around. I just had to throw my hands up and be glad that Alice and her lovers and friends were able to be contained within the pages as I shut this book. Sheesh.

[Mme. Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I am not too thrilled about comedy. However, when it's put in its right perspective, I am amused! Good Hair is an amusing book to me because, it's funny, feisty and delightfully entertaining to read. If you are in love, or have been in love, dreamed of stepping out of your class to the next or believe in possibilities...Good Hair is the book. It may sounds like a sales pitch, but I found myself laughing throughout the story. It's the type of story that will amuse you and educate you at the same time. Good Hair gives you something to lol about and just because...! My kind of read. You will LYBO, LOL!!!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was going as a comment on the interplay of class and race, and then, the stuff like Lucus derailed it. But then, he just goes away, and it continues like nothing happened, which was confusing. I know she was trying to say something with that but don't know what. There are a lot of shallow characters in this book. Even the main character only has her job and men in her head. The overall message was we can be rich, too. I liked the descriptions of all the nice stuff she wore and her surroundings. But of course they can have money, too. I liked it, and I didn't like it. 2.5

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. It started off kind of slow, but immediately picked up and kept me turning pages because of the many surprises in the book. We all need an Aunt Thelma and a best friend like Cheryl who are there for us when we need it and tell us what we need to hear when we need to hear it. Alice, the main character, develops as a person throughout the book finding her place in the world and a true love in Jack.

[Beverlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Hair was a pleasant surprise. I think Alice is a character any woman can relate to. For me, I can relate to her struggle to find herself & accept it, flaws & all.
Alice has endured some traumatic events- sexual assault by her brother, feeling unloved by her parents...yet she's not a whiny, woe is me type. I admire that Ms. Little presents the characters as human. Yes, they aren't perfect & may make less than ideal choices; so do I.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book--in some places, quite a lot--but expected more. I found the writing uneven, with insightful and provocative passages interspersed with sections that felt rough and trite. I'd heard Good Hair described as a modern-day Austenian comedy of manners, and it didn't live up.

I definitely want to read more of Little's writing, though.

[Smile 2 Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I really enjoyed this author's style of writing. The book was amazing. It held my attention from beginning to end. I love that she delved into the issues that many black women quietly face each day. I hope there is a sequel to the story bc I'd love to see if they made it!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first taste of Benilde Little, and I must say that I found it very pleasurable. Great writing and intersting depiction of the "black elite"

[Ebonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually found this book in my house and decided to take a chance on it, the book actually surprised me it was pretty good

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read. The girl in the story really made me sick, but she made the right decision in the end.

[Uchenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was weird and had nothing to do about the title so they me for a loop thru the entire book.

[Aareille Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the writing and it is a great book but the ending disappointed me.

[chanelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

i find myself relating to alice in so many ways, but i am also a BAP (more in a halle berry/natalie desselle manner but also manners that mimic what is described in this book BUT ONLY TO AN EXTENT, public transport fears me and the thriff store knows me on a first name basis). the most painful part of this for me has to be the last few chapters after the most perfect man ever suddenly disappoints and aligns himself among the rest of the herd. it is so insane to me how this ends and really looking back it’s crazy they got so far with her lacking the intense passion she used to cover, i’m left wondering if i am willing to compromise (i know that right now in my life i am not). while she may forgive him, i don’t know if i could find myself doing the same HOWEVER, ask me again in a few years when i am alice’s age… she may have gained wisdom in the years i have yet to live.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Hair by Benilde Little
Published October 8, 1996

<3 <3 <3

When Alice Andrews, a reporter from Newark, meets Jack Russworm, a Harvard-educated doctor from Boston, she immediately senses they are from different sides of the tracks. As their love and passion develop, they get lots of advice and warnings from friends and family. Can their relationship survive, or will social status push them apart? The landscape of upper class Black Manhattan society gives a thoroughly modern twist to this tough-girl rich-boy love story. Narrator Kim Staunton captures Good Hair's sexy humor, subtle social gestures, and the couple's romantic struggles.

[Velia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book to be called Good Hair, I expected it to talk about hair more. I know the author briefly mentions what the characters hair looks like but I thought they were be more. At least a few sentences. I don't know. I had fun with this book. It was a quick read. There was alot going on and I wish the book was longer. I felt like serious things were dropped out of nowhere with no lead up. I did enjoy reading about bougie black people and their drama. It was great. I've always felt a need for a black version of Gossip Girl and this was satisfying lol.

[Sabin Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit thunderstruck to read a verbatim description of an idea I've been carrying for years regarding African American's who aspire to or exist within elitist circles. "How could a people, Black people, actually seriously adopt attitudes that our former masters had fed us for the sole purpose of dividing us and therefore keep us fighting with, disliking, and distrusting each other?" I read those lines and hollered, "PREACH!" Overall, I'm pretty late to the Benilde Little bandwagon; yet, I enjoying how she addressed class differences within a love story.

[capricornreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

- CW: biphobic, homophobic, and transphobic comments, sexual assault, incest, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, racism -

I really admire Benilde Little's writing, especially her ability for showing not telling. There were multiple dated derogatory comments against the LGBT community that took away from my enjoyment of this book, but the central love story as well as the other relationships were what kept me going. I definitely felt like I was getting a very real glimpse into someone else's life. And the depression and PTSD rep was pretty spot on.

[theperksofbeingmarissa ;) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie. It took me a while to finish this book because there seemed to be unecessary details that didn't fit in certain places. However, when I got to the middle of the book, my jaw dropped at the drama. I'm so serious! Little does a great job at mixing humor and drama. I really love how much of Newark is represented in this book. I grew up in the West Ward and hearing Little mention different streets and sections made me homesick. I will definitely give this book another read!