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Bailey's Café
Bailey's Café
Bailey's Café
Audiobook7 hours

Bailey's Café

Written by Gloria Naylor

Narrated by Augustus Williamson, Medwin Johnson, Bonita Harvey and

3.5/5

()

About this audiobook

Welcome to Bailey's Café, the most mythically real diner you've ever walked into. Presided over by Bailey and his helpmate, Nadine, it is a magnet that draws a wide variety of the "colored" people of 1948, each with a story to tell.

Bailey tells us about his love for his strong, quiet wife, and shares his haunting memories of World War II. Then, one by one, we hear from the café's regulars. There is Sadie, whose addiction to alcohol is second only to her mania for cleanliness; the oddly maternal Eve, whose bordello accepts only fresh flowers as legal tender; Sweet Esther, who takes nothing but white roses for her particular favors; Peaches, whose badly mutilated face is a sharp contrast to her beautiful body; Jesse Bell, who cannot overcome her lust for heroin; Miss Maple (whose real name is Stanley); and Mariam, the Ethiopian child who may be the bearer of a miracle.

Gloria Naylor, author of "Women of Brewster Place" and "Mama Day", has created perhaps her finest work in "Bailey's Café". Her wonderful chorus of characters tell tales of woe and fortitude, prejudice and pride; Naylor has transformed the trials of these outcasts into timeless truths about the strengths of people everywhere.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBrilliance Audio
Release dateFeb 19, 2010
ISBN9781441836052
Bailey's Café

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Reviews for Bailey's Café

3.5/5

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  • 4/5
    * NO Spoilers were used in the writing of this review! *Each chapter in this off-beat, touching book introduces a flamboyant character at a personal crossroads; Bailey's Cafe is their symbolic purgatory. Though the characters come from different walks of life, there is something dysfunctional or broken about each of them. Most are products of physical, emotional or spiritual abuse, often tinged by racial discrimination.In terms of racial issues, this book depicts how deeply prejudice affected the lives of African Americans post WW2, playing a significant role in their circumstances, decisions and ultimate fates on a variety of levels. In my opinion, Jesse's story was the saddest, illustrating the tragic irony when victims of discrimination turn against each other.Despite covering some heavy material, Naylor imbues each character with a sense of dignity and hope.This book is about survival and overcoming hardships. There are also unexpected humorous touches; the story about Eve helping Jesse kick heroin reads like a hilariously ironic AA parable.Though it can be confusing due to an esoteric theme (i.e. Bailey's Cafe as Purgatory), this is still a satisfying, informative read. I was sincerely rooting for these characters!
  • 4/5
    Excellent.