The Full Matilda: A Novel

by David Haynes

Matilda Housewright hails from a long line of venerable and well-respected African American retainers—her family has been in “service” for generations, serving Washington, D.C., politicos and other upper-crust families. The daughter of the indispensable majordomo Jacob Housewright, Matilda grew up in the house of a powerful D.C. senator and learned how to be a hostess extraordinaire—and has perfected the art of service. But after her father dies and she starts a catering business with her brother, Matilda begins to question who she is and what, exactly, she’s serving. Told in the voices of the men in her life, with connecting interludes from Matilda, the reader indeed gets The Full Matilda, a glorious glimpse inside the intriguing life of a captivating woman in the midst of change as she maneuvers through a web of secrets, expectations, and worn-out social mores.

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2004

About the author

David Haynes has been recognized by Granta magazine as one of America's best young novelists. The author of six critically acclaimed novels and five children's books, he is director of creative writing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

The former sixth grade teacher's short stories have been heard on "Selected Shorts" on NPR, and his novels have been recognized by the American Library Association.

--from the author profile at SMU

See also other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Edward]

Terrific novel by a writer who should be much more widely read. His approach to issues of class and race in this novel is subtle but powerful. And he's just a fine, fine writer.

[Lori Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Matilda. The book's narrative structure reminds me of another favorite of mine, As I Lay Dying. We learn about Matilda through the eyes and opinions of not only the men around her, but across generations of men. She gets more narrative time than Addie Bundren, to be sure, and that's a good thing. If you want to see inside the domestic service world of the 20s and 30s (and indeed, into the 80s and 90s) this is a great book to read. Haynes has a magical way of pulling you into Matilda's world. I finished it this weekend and, as always with a good book, was a little sad to turn the last page.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another kind of African American fiction! This is quiet and non-intruding compares to many others which usually writes about the more negative aspects of life. I appreciate the determination of Matilda, and how she loves people the best that she can. It also rightfully describes sibling rivalries - the drama of it, and how at the end, siblings are often forgiving and understanding toward each other. The ties and love remains. I also enjoy the peek into political lives and characters in DC!

[Bethany Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great story- I absolutely fell in love with Matilda and all of the Housewright family. Interesting generational perspectives on being Black in the US through the years, but really at the heart of the story is family and being there for each other.

[Smithb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read!