Laughing in the Dark: From Colored Girl to Woman of Color--A Journey From Prison to Power

by Patrice Gaines

An award-winning Washington Post reporter explores the twisted path she traveled to find her place as a confident black female in a world that values whiteness and maleness. Here is a rich and insightful story of a life lived on the edge by a woman formerly preoccupied with pleasing everyone but herself.

Genres: Nonfiction, African American, Feminism

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 1994

Reviews

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is the memoir of a woman who is just about a year or two younger than I am. So we lived through the same years, and even some of the same states and places, although not in the same neighborhoods. She relates how she was treated by her white teacher, being the black girl in her elementary class. She was the designated picker-upper, cleaner-upper after daily activities while the rest of the class was sitting around the teacher listening to a story being told. Just her.

Luckily for Patrice, she was intelligent and loved learning. Unfortunately for her, she did not stay in school but drifted towards others, particularly males, who would only hurt her. She seemed to me to accept responsibility for her actions and become a better person for despite the earlier consequences, by taking courses in writing and pursuing journalism.

It took me awhile to obtain a copy of the book, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and was glad to have read it. As a white woman, the book encouraged me to examine my own history with blacks during much of the same time period and will no doubt be writing my own memoir of sorts.

[Dawn Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless of race this is a jewel of a book for all women. Finding yourself, putting yourself first and stop being a martyr.

[Dunori · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 round up. Reads more like a novel than an autobiography in my opinion, which added to my enjoyment of it I think. The ways in which I could relate to some of the author’s experiences kinda fucked with me a little bit, which actually I consider to be a good thing since it caused me to undertake a bit of introspection to determine how/if I can resolve certain things from the past or do so better. In other relatable ways I was amazed, such as her ending the book around when she was my current age as well as around this time of year. My score may have a bit of favoritism included because the content was largely based in my area so when she named places in it that I am familiar with I smiled. There were at least a couple paragraphs though that I think she was unnecessarily repetitive but didn’t much subtract from my still finding it worth recommending especially to anyone who may have also read and enjoyed Assata.

[Shaneice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this book. It is a story that inspired me, saddened me, and empowered me. Through her honest and in-depth revelations, I was able to relate to her struggles and defeats and rejoice in her victories and triumphs. This book is a must-read for women seeking to break free of the limitations of race and society, as well as female victimization. It is a book that conjures up courage and determination within women even if they did not know that they possessed these attributes.

[Kristal Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be interesting after all. Begins with a black child with two white friends that admire and love unconditionally. But what a shock that everything was different as and adult. But she continued to carry her friends in her heart hoping things would get better. .....

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I recommend it to any woman who has faced struggles and persevered!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful biography filled with truth, love, grief and growth.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrice's journey is an amazing read. I'm roughly her age and lived in the same turbulent times in the same places (Charlotte, NC & WDC)... but as a white woman raised with ignorance, not prejudice. Pat's in-depth account of the politics of the time (Black Power & white hatred) is spot on... and eerily similar to what some people still feel today. To them, and to my Black sons I ask... do you want to continue to be a victim, or will you rise up as a victor? For every Colin Kaepernick in today's world who beats the victim drum, there is a Candace Owens who preaches victory over our country's problematic past. While Pat could not address how race relations have evolved in this book, one look at her Twitter feed tells me she would have a lot to say about it now. That's a book I hope she will write.

[Karah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful to have read this memoir. It is disheartening to suffer Patrice Gaines' experiences. Three marriages and a myriad of nightmare romances. I am thankful she wised up after her third marriage. (She had married three times before she turned 35!) Therapy and healthy friendships healed much of her wounds. But the loss of Michael, Cooper, her parents, Ginny and her lifelong friends opened miles of pain. She lived through it, emerging wiser and still enraptured by life. Her daughter proved the experiences weren't for naught. They have a nurturing relationship and Miss Gaines has retained the position of loved and respected mother.

[DearBookClub]

"Laughing in the Dark: From Colored Girl To Woman of Color--A Journey From Prison To Power," by Patrice Gaines, is so remarkable that I had to read it twice! Her journey through life is so resilient. The book highlights being young and losing your sense of self in relationships, attracting men that dim your light (abusers), and digging yourself out of despair to find your strength and power.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and real. The author puts words to the feelings of inadequacy, fear and hurts that most of us feel but never put into words. Bravo!

[Sobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite memoirs. I've read it several times. It's a very inspiring story.

[Stephanie]

I wanted to still read after this book ended. Wow!

[Barbara Washington]

I have just started reading this book,and already I am
enjoying it,I want to hurry up and read it,but I also
want to savor every word!

[Neka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the most influential books I ever read as a young woman... This book truly informed my sense of self...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderfully written memoir, with powerful lessons to teach us all

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! A must read for any woman who has lost herself and is trying to find where she fits in this world....

[Cydne B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sharing, some telling, some preaching, some blathering. Felt different parts were for different audiences , but I applaud her courage to put herself out there.