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Out of No Way: Madam CJ Walker & A'Lelia Walker A Poetic Drama
Author, producer, and emerging poet Rojé Augustin has written a groundbreaking debut collection of dramatic poems about hair care entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker and her daughter, A'Lelia. Rojé's singular and accomplished work is presented through the intimate lens of the mother-daughter relationship via different poetic forms — from lyric to haiku, blackout to narrative. (One poem takes its inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven.) Written in tribute to Walker, Out of No Way deftly and beautifully explores themes of race, motherhood, sacrifice, beauty, and the meaning of success in Jim Crow America.
156 pages, Paperback
Published May 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 23, 2020
My Thoughts:
These poems are original and evocative, but the first word that comes to my mind is powerful.
The poems are deeply emotional. My first impression is the love between the mother and daughter. However, there are other emotions explored. For example, the fear and anguish because of the lynchings and murders.
Some examples of the types of poetry is acrostic, alliteration, couplet, dramatic monologue, elegy, epistle, lament, and occasional poem.
I love the creative idea and work of using different types of poetry. I feel this is original and brilliant.
Included is a speech given by Madam C. J. Walker at an Anti-Lynching Conference in June 1918.
My favorites poems:
Lelia, Knoxville College 1902-1904 “Reading”
The Prison of Racism that Hate Built
The Salon that Art Built
The Lost Letters
Included are quotes from: Ancient Proverb, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Susie King Taylor.
Source: I had originally received a complimentary pdf. I could not view the book, so I bought my own copy at Amazon. My review is of a self-purchased eBook Kindle copy. This review is my own opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.
These poems are original and evocative, but the first word that comes to my mind is powerful.
The poems are deeply emotional. My first impression is the love between the mother and daughter. However, there are other emotions explored. For example, the fear and anguish because of the lynchings and murders.
Some examples of the types of poetry is acrostic, alliteration, couplet, dramatic monologue, elegy, epistle, lament, and occasional poem.
I love the creative idea and work of using different types of poetry. I feel this is original and brilliant.
Included is a speech given by Madam C. J. Walker at an Anti-Lynching Conference in June 1918.
My favorites poems:
Lelia, Knoxville College 1902-1904 “Reading”
The Prison of Racism that Hate Built
The Salon that Art Built
The Lost Letters
Included are quotes from: Ancient Proverb, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Susie King Taylor.
Source: I had originally received a complimentary pdf. I could not view the book, so I bought my own copy at Amazon. My review is of a self-purchased eBook Kindle copy. This review is my own opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.
September 18, 2020
The Review
The author brilliantly captures the lives of mother and daughter and those in their lives with this work of art. The poetry is moving and inspiring, pulling forth everything from the everyday discussion between a mother and daughter to the pain of witnessing the loss of life during such a violent and turbulent era of racial injustice and the strain it all has on these two women’s relationships.
The stand-out to me as a reader in this book was not just the story the author told using poetry, but the poetry itself. The author does a marvelous job of effortlessly integrating various forms of poetry, from haiku and sonnets to nursery rhymes and villanelle, giving each chapter of the women’s lives a different type of poetry to embody that moment. It felt natural and as raw as the emotions these moments invoked, making this book truly shine.
The Verdict
Breathtaking, often heartbreaking and yet a fast-paced and eloquent read, author Roje Augustin’s “Out of No Way” is a majestic book of poetry and biographical fiction read that is not to be missed. Readers will be enthralled with the author’s unique voice within this poetry while the characters and people involved will keep the reader invested entirely. If you haven’t be sure to grab your copy today!
The author brilliantly captures the lives of mother and daughter and those in their lives with this work of art. The poetry is moving and inspiring, pulling forth everything from the everyday discussion between a mother and daughter to the pain of witnessing the loss of life during such a violent and turbulent era of racial injustice and the strain it all has on these two women’s relationships.
The stand-out to me as a reader in this book was not just the story the author told using poetry, but the poetry itself. The author does a marvelous job of effortlessly integrating various forms of poetry, from haiku and sonnets to nursery rhymes and villanelle, giving each chapter of the women’s lives a different type of poetry to embody that moment. It felt natural and as raw as the emotions these moments invoked, making this book truly shine.
The Verdict
Breathtaking, often heartbreaking and yet a fast-paced and eloquent read, author Roje Augustin’s “Out of No Way” is a majestic book of poetry and biographical fiction read that is not to be missed. Readers will be enthralled with the author’s unique voice within this poetry while the characters and people involved will keep the reader invested entirely. If you haven’t be sure to grab your copy today!
September 14, 2020
Follow the life of Madam C.J. Walker and her daughter A'Lelia Walker told in a variety of poetic forms as Madam rises from poverty to affluence. It is the story of a woman who achieved the American Dream, but was denied the rights and protection of the American Constitution. Witness the mother-daughter relationship unfold as both struggle with challenges not unlike what mothers and daughters deal with today. Such timely topics for today's world are found within this poetic drama, that you cannot help but wonder have we really changed?
I like that the writer provided biographical information and included historical photographs along with the telling of Walker's life. Some of the telling came in the form of what looked like letters from C.J. to A'Lelia as she traveled. One in particular came with an historical photograph that truly captured a dark part of our history.
While I enjoyed many of these poems, the Poems of Regret were especially good. I would recommend picking up this collection if you are interested in rags-to-riches stories or are drawn to dramatic poetry that pulls at the heartstrings and makes you think long after you're done.
I like that the writer provided biographical information and included historical photographs along with the telling of Walker's life. Some of the telling came in the form of what looked like letters from C.J. to A'Lelia as she traveled. One in particular came with an historical photograph that truly captured a dark part of our history.
While I enjoyed many of these poems, the Poems of Regret were especially good. I would recommend picking up this collection if you are interested in rags-to-riches stories or are drawn to dramatic poetry that pulls at the heartstrings and makes you think long after you're done.
January 29, 2022
Out of No Way by Roje Augustin is an incredible journey to a Black woman's past. One that had a positive effect on the Black women population and inspired other women worldwide. Madam C.J. Walker is an unforgettable kind of woman. She was dealt a difficult hand in life and yet she worked hard. Later on, it all paid off for her and her family. There are many themes in this book that are explored. However, remembering one prominent woman like Madam C.J. Walker is the highlight. She defied her time period and became a success in everything she did. For a history buff, I found this interesting book a joy to read. Overall, it was easy to read, and I recommend it to all.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
March 31, 2022
Out of No Way is a poetry book about the life and legacy Of Madam CJ Walker and her legacy as an entrepreneur and her impact in the Black community. The book briefly summarizes Walker’s background and how she came to be a part of the hair industry and revolutionize black hair with her technique and products. Through books introduced Walker’s history to me from a young age. I’ve read numerous articles and books about her, but this was the first poetry book I’ve based on her life and the first poetry book I read that focuses on a historical figure.
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews