Talma Gordon

by Pauline E. Hpokins

Talma Gordon (1900) is a short story by Pauline E. Hopkins. Recognized as the first African American mystery story, Talma Gordon was originally published in the October 1900 edition of The Colored American Magazine , America’s first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture. Combining themes of racial identity and passing with a locked room mystery plot, Hopkins weaves a masterful tale of conspiracy, suspicion, and murder. “When the trial was called Jeannette sat beside Talma in the prisoner’s dock; both were arrayed in deepest mourning, Talma was pale and careworn, but seemed uplifted, spiritualized, as it were. […] She had changed much hollow cheeks, tottering steps, eyes blazing with fever, all suggestive of rapid and premature decay.” When Puritan descendant Jonathan Gordon is discovered murdered under suspicious circumstances, the ensuing trial implicates his own daughter Talma. Despite being declared innocent, the townsfolk are determined to believe that Talma conspired to have her father killed after he discovered her mixed racial heritage. Freed from the prospect of imprisonment, Talma is left with only her sister’s protection against the anger and violence of her neighbors. With this thrilling tale of murder and racial tension, Hopkins proves herself as a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline E. Hopkins’ Talma Gordon is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Classics, School, Ebooks, Fiction, Horror

20 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2013

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK 28: Mid-20th Century American Crime Readathon
What a find! Pauline Hopkins is heavily influenced by the "locked-room mystery genre" which is one of my favorite subgenres: an impossible crime is committed. The brains of the reader, the author, and the perpetrator of the crime combine here in "Talma Gordon" for a winning combination. And, Hopkins is one of the first black female crime writers in America! This is a must for inclusion in my readathon.
Hook=3 stars: A Doctor at "The Canterbury Club of Boston" relates the truth to a baffling case.
Pace=4 stars: An odd discussion of the merits of children of mixed marriages is an early detour to the case itself, but once that kicks into gear, the pages fly.
Plot=4: This is a good locked-room/impossible crime, but not a great one: the impossible is clearly possible in a number of ways. Still, it's very dark and disturbing: the qualities we often look for in crime fiction.
People=4: Talma Gordon has a trick or two up her sleeve, and she delivers a final, last, great twist.
Place=3: A men's club and a large house serve as settings that could be anywhere.
Summary: Overall, my rating is 3.6. It's a very satisfying read.

[Litsplaining]

For it to be the first African-American mystery published by a Black woman in the 1900s, it’s aged well. I found the text to be readable and engrossing. My main gripe (which given the time it was published makes sense) is that this short story was good, but it felt a little too “clue murder mystery-ish” for me.

I still recommend this for readers who enjoy mysteries.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franchement petite pépite. Court mais intéressant et passionnant

[Lisa Herring]

Another great short story. Suppose to be the first mystery story by an African American author.

[Jo Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talma Gordon

This short story of racism, murder and revenge was very good. I enjoyed the stories written by 19th century women writers Pauline Hopkins most of all.

[topcitrouille · Rating 4 out of 5]

✳︎𓆓𓇻 alors déjà, l’édition est délicieuse
c’est d'ailleurs la raison pour laquelle j’ai lu cette nouvelle
le format vertical, le papier, les lettres en impression argentée, les typos……..bref le livre m’a clairement draguée depuis les étagères de la librairie à coté de mon travail, la veille du départ en vacances (alors qu'étant bel et bien le produit de ma génération, pour sûr que j'emporte toujours des livres pour ne jamais les lire)

l’histoire m’a happée alors que je n’y attendais pas, je l’ai lue d’une traite (alors que c’est rare !!)
𓆙 le travail de contextualisation en postface m’a appris des trucs sans pour autant m’assommer
bref, merci, bravo

++ rarement vu des choix typographiques aussi ancrés politiquement, chapô
++ je viens de repérer un autre livre de la même collection qui me fait envie !!

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terceiro conto do Clube da Caixa Preta. Tive problemas inicialmente pra conseguir acompanhar a história, mas aí parei e recomecei e deu pra entender melhorzinho. Não é ruim, mas também não é particularmente bom: fica um pouco confuso porque é um tanto apressado nas reviravoltas. Não sei se a autora enveredou pela trilha dos mistérios posteriormente na carreira, mas se foi o primeiro do gênero que ela escreveu dá pra entender como ela ainda tava experimentando com muitas coisas num conto curto. Gostei mais dos textos de apoio sobre colorismo que vieram na caixa.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in advance of adding it to my syllabus for the first time this semester. Suspenseful and surprising! I'm looking forward to pairing it with Melville's "Benito Cereno" and seeing what my students think of it.

[Maris Bounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read. I can’t even really talk about it without spoiling it. However, if you would like one of the earliest detective stories written by an African American, I would highly recommend it!

[D.K. Ricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Short Story!

Love is Blind? Unless you let society, standings and fortune determine your future. Well written story, sad but beautiful ending.

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,0

[Jorge Henrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conto muito interessante, com ótimas discussões sobre raça e que me deixou bem preso nessa madrugada.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apesar de ficar meio perdida e precisar voltar um pouco para entender, gostei bastante. Curiosa com a escrita da autora, não conseguia parar de ler.

[Emily Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting!

[Luna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, yes the worst thing a woman can be...mixed race

[Karli Van Aalsburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, but the plot twist at the end!

[Aline Kho · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 𖤐

[Joe Nixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simple mystery. Not bad, but not for me.

[kaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ayesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting it to go one way then it went another then it went another in the span of 6 pages.

[Yaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly didn't fully understand the message the first time through, and didn't particularly love the writing style.