Like One of the Family: Conversations from a Domestic's Life - Softcover

Childress, Alice

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807050741 ISBN 13: 9780807050743

Publisher: Beacon Press, 2017

Synopsis

A new edition of Alice Childress’s classic novel about African American domestic workers, featuring a foreword by Roxane Gay

First published in Paul Robeson’s newspaper, Freedom, and composed of a series of conversations between Mildred, a black domestic, and her friend Marge, Like One of the Family is a wry, incisive portrait of working women in Harlem in the 1950’s. Rippling with satire and humor, Mildred’s outspoken accounts vividly capture her white employers’ complacency and condescension—and their startled reactions to a maid who speaks her mind and refuses to exchange dignity for pay.

Upon publication the book sparked a critique of working conditions, laying the groundwork for the contemporary domestic worker movement. Although she was critically praised, Childress’s uncompromising politics and unflinching depictions of racism, classism, and sexism relegated her to the fringe of American literature. Like One of the Family has been long overlooked, but this new edition, featuring a foreword by best-selling author Roxane Gay, will introduce Childress to a new generation.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

'Like one of the Family celebrates the image of black women most common to their history and suggests that they are no less dignified for having spent time on their knees. Mildred scrubs And soars.' -From the introduction

About the Author:

Alice Childress (1916–1994) was a playwright, novelist, and actress. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised and educated in Harlem, she is the author of numerous plays, including Wedding Band, Wine in the Wilderness, and the Obie Award–winning Trouble in Mind—as well as books for young adults, such as Rainbow Jordan and A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ but a Sandwich.

Roxane Gay’s writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times Book Review, Bookforum, Time, and Los Angeles Times. She is also the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, and the New York Times best seller Bad Feminist. Her latest book, Hunger, is forthcoming from Harper in 2016.

About this edition

• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0807050741
• ISBN 13: 9780807050743
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264