Family

A Novel

By: J. California Cooper

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

In this beautifully textured first novel by the author of the acclaimed short story collection Homemade Love, the history of one slave family becomes symbolic for all slaves and slaveholders.

Family is a stunning, often painfully graphic re-creation of the realities of slavery: black women raped by white masters; black children sold to sustain failing plantations - or to satisfy the whims of a petulant mistress; strong men humiliated, whipped, and beaten because of the color of their skin. But it is also the triumphant story of a mother whose loving spirit transcends the barriers of death and time, allowing her to watch over her children and her children’s children.

In simple, hauntingly poetic language, the slave Clora, who killed herself to escape an unbearable existence, recounts the “grief and misery that is soul and core of the life of a slave” and follows her children as they experience the joys and challenges of emancipation, create new lives for themselves and their families in the postwar South, in northern cities, and abroad, and hold fast to their dreams and their faith as they confront the fear and hatred that permeates their world.

©1991 J. California Cooper (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Eye opening & Riveting

Wow… this was so riveting and makes me look at my own FAMILY tree! I know I share some of this same truth.

Love this novel!

Love this novel! J. California Cooper was a gifted storyteller. The narrator did the book justice.

Beautiful Story

This is a beautiful, eye opening story that every human should read. This masterpiece should lead to Black people respecting our humble and forced beginnings while praising God for the strength of our ancestors.

Family Indeed

I have always liked the writings of J. California Cooper and this was no exception. Family is thought provoking as generations come and go. Makes me wonder how many family members I have lived alongside of, worked with and never met. In the end, we are all joined one way or another. Nice narration.

This story is an American story

J. California Cooper understands the legacy of slavery and how it is truly the story of America and tells it in such a colorful way without a lot of malice but is lyrical as she tells it. This belongs in the cannon with Walker, Morrison and Hurston

This story will draw you in.

J. California Cooper is the greatest. She captures you with her story telling. I finished this story in one sitting. I miss her stories.

Excellent

I truly enjoyed this book. The way the story was good was awesome. I recommend this book to everyone. I love listening to slave books with a good outcome. 💕🙂

Great story

You are going to love " Always". Definitely a reread. Will read more of the author's books.

Never disappoints

I’ve always loved Jay California Cooper’s work. So I was really happy to see that. Her books are now on audio While I’ve read the book, listening cave a new life to it and I really enjoyed it.

My Favorite Book by J California Cooper

I really enjoyed the narration of this book. I read the book many years ago when it was first published. In fact it is the only book that I have ever read more than once. I’ve read it 3 times. I just love J California Cooper’s writing style. I have read all of her books. So when I joined audible she is one of the first authors I looked for.

This story will make you sad, make you laugh, and make you cry. But lest we never forget our history and all that we have been through as a people. She captures it well in this writing and the narrator has done a fine job bringing the story to life.

A mother looking down from Heaven over the life of her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren born into slavery and following their lives and telling their story.

I hope Audible will make her book “The Matter is Life” available soon. Another good read.