No Crystal Stair

Rating:
Summary: Sheds Light on early 1900s Black Elite
Review: No Crystal Stair was the second book read by [e-mail] -- an online African American book club.

All of the characters in No Crystal Stair were well-developed, quite believeable people. Even Julia Belle, the mother of the main character, who would have been considered a snob by most, was very believeable and really was "down for the cause."

You'll delight in seeing the young Ann Elizabeth, the main character, blossom into a grown woman. You'll admire her brother Randy and his too-dark-for-his-mother's-taste, girlfriend Sadie. Dr. Carter, Ann Elizabeth's father, and her husband, Rob, were also very likeable characters.

This book opened my eyes to the reality of the early 1900s Black Elite. In a class and society all their own, the Carter family still had to deal with the struggles of being black in America. Their wealth did not render them immune to unfair treatment here. The reader will venture through the 1940's pre and post-war period up to the 1970s Black Power Movement.

No Crystal Stair is a very well-written, good read! Pick it up to read today!

Rating:
Summary: Truly a story worth sharing...Thank you, Ms. Rutland!
Review: So much of our history is either robbed from us or never brought to light. NO CRYSTAL STAIR provides readers, through the saga of Ann Elizabeth Carter and Army Air Corps pilot Robert Metcalf, a brief glimpse into the world of the black privileged class as well as the determined, black working poor. Without apology or excuse, Ms. Rutland allows her readers to plunge themselves into over sixty years of love, passion, sadness, and laughter in the families represented in this book. Readers get to see that yes, there was high society in the African American race, and like with any "moneyed" group, they had their problems, but when the chips were down, they pulled together with the larger group for equality and justice for all. The story takes us through the World War where brave young black men stood proud and soared high among the clouds. It also lands us squarely into the age of consciousness where black folk redefined themselves through their movements and their leaders. But through it all, we see the unity that exists among a people that are both different and the same. After reading the final page, I could not help but to smile and reflect on the fact that yes, life has not been "no crystal stair," but, like Langston says,"We're still climbin.'" Thank you for sharing this story, Ms. Rutland.

Rating:
Summary: Introduction To The Black Elite
Review: This book introduces the black elite - a group with which few are familiar. It follows them from the late 1920's into the new millennium, through the civil rights struggle. It is basically a sort of historical love story. The characters are real. We can applaud their accomplishments, even when we disagree with their lifestyles. It is a slice of African American history which has seldom been made public and it is a great read.

Rating:
Summary: electric
Review: This book is phenomenal... A must have for every bookshelf. This author is intriging, electric and fascinating. You will learn so much history and explore life in such a unique way. This is a page turner... REad it and pass it on.

Rating:
Summary: electric
Review: This book is phenomenal... A must have for every bookshelf. This author is intriging, electric and fascinating. You will learn so much history and explore life in such a unique way. This is a page turner... REad it and pass it on.

Rating:
Summary: Glad I Picked It Up
Review: This novel by Eva Rutland was something that I just happen to see in the bookstore needing something to read on a train ride. It was a great read and for someone born in the 1970's it gave another aspect of the "high fallutin'" people blacks for the 1940's. The "n" word was used often so for those that are a bit sensitive to the usage...just a warning. It didn't take anything from the book or the author and I suggest that you still read the book. Great work Ms. Rutland and I'll look for future works!