Bonus Content
Glorious
The train pulled into Richmond under a heavy sky. The platform was wet and the air moist. Children ran up and down the platform stomping their feet in the puddles of water the afternoon showers had left behind. Porters buzzed busily, but kept their heads lowered, careful not to make direct eye contact with the men who’d been sent down from Detroit to recruit workers for the Ford Motor Company. Ford was paying his employees five dollars a day and Southern states found their cheap labor streaming out of their towns and cities as quickly as sand through a sieve.
Some recruiters had been abducted and beaten. But ford just sent more in their place and so the railroad officials had begun to systematically prohibit the sale of northbound tickets to Negroes or inflate the price to such an exorbitant level that it became unaffordable.
Easter followed Madeline into the colored waiting area. She’d promised to sit with her until the train headed to New York arrived. They bought two oranges, squeezed into a space on a long, wooden bench, and quietly worked at peeling the thick skin from the fruit.
“I really think you should come with me to New York,” Madeline suggested for the umpteenth time. “I can get you a job at the hair salon and I can’t see my my landlady minding you staying with me until you got your own place.”
Easter bit down into the wedge of fruit and the sweet juice coated the inside of her cheek. She didn’t have an excuse not to go and couldn’t rationalize why she felt so resistant to the idea.
“Easter, it’s not like anyplace you’ve ever been before.”
Easter laughed to herself. Where had Madeline been that allowed her to make such a grand statement. Waycross, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, that’s it.
Madeline pressed, “You ain’t got nobody here; at least in New York you’d have me and my aunt Minnie in the Bronx.”
Easter chuckled, “She still make ambrosia?”
Madeline nodded and her face brightened. She was wearing Easter down. “Oh, say you’ll come,” she whined. “If you don’t like it you can always leave.”
Easter thought about it for a moment. “Okay.”
The conductor rang his bell and hollered, “All aboard!” The whistle sounded and the train huffed great billowing clouds of steam. Easter clutched her ticket tightly in her hand. She was headed to New York. A quiet excitement percolated in her stomach and she felt a smile light on her lips. When the nose of the train edged across the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania, a young, dark porter appeared and unceremoniously removed the tin sign above the doorway that stated, COLORED.
The car exploded in applause and hearty whoops went up into the air. Couples kissed one another full on the lips. Parents grabbed hold of their children and squeezed. Easter felt something lift inside of her and her leg began to bounce with anticipation.
From GLORIOUS by Bernice L. McFadden
Published by Akashic Books (akashicbooks.com).
Copyright © 2010 Bernice L. McFadden.
Glorious
In a sweeping epic set in the Jim Crow South, Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Era, writer Easter Venetta Bartlett carves out a tumultuous path to success, ruin and revival. Along the way, she forms relationships with interesting characters—both real and imagined. There’s Rain, the sensuous and passionate dancer in Slocum's Traveling Brigade. There’s Colin, Easter's husband, who’s provoked into assassinating the Universal Negro Improvement Association leader, plus poet Langston Hughes and shipping heiress Nancy Cunard. It’s a compelling tale of struggle and triumph as Easter vies to find peace in a racially polarized country, and an audacious exploration into the nature of self-hatred, love, possession, betrayal and redemption.
Hardcover : 250 pages
Publisher: Akashic Books ( May 01, 2010 )
Item #: 13-123790
ISBN: 9781616644956
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.541inches
Product Weight: 12.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
a quick & satisfying read 
March 29, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loosely based upon the life and times of Zora Neale Hurston, this book, to me at least, is all about the emotional life of the characters. Ms. McFadden has a generous way of opening the door to the character and letting the reader do the rest. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: eam
Enjoyable
March 20, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book .The timeline was interesting and it was about the history of blacks and what they endured after slavery .I enjoyed the part about the Harlem Renaissance .
Reviewer: Patricia H
Very interesting!
August 16, 2011
I love Bernice McFadden's work. It took me awhile to actually get into this book but once I got about half through it I couldn't put it down. I was a little disappointed in how it ended but overall a good book and I would recommend it.
Reviewer: Barbara
it was interesting. . .
March 31, 2011
The book was worth reading because it was a history lesson and an entertaining read. It wasn't a page-turner, but I recommend it.
Reviewer: rj
Amazing
December 28, 2010
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction because I learn so much when I read it. After reading Glorious, I was in awe by Ms. McFadden and her writing style. Bernice McFadden has a way with her words. She lets them come to life on paper. When I began reading the novel, I remember emailing Ms. McFadden on Facebook letting her know how much I was enjoying Glorious. At that point I had only read the prologue. I was mesmerized by each sentence. The stage was set during the Jim Crow, Harlem Renaissance & Civil Rights era. If you know anything about these eras you know that it was hard for African-Americans during that time. Let me warn you, Ms. McFadden address the issue of homosexuality, bisexuality, racism, love, lies, betrayal & redemption. Therefore, there are various words and language use in the story that isn't suited for tween or teens.
The story tells of Easter Venetta Barlett,an aspiring author and her journey from childhood to adulthood. Her journey begins in her hometown of Waycross, GA and takes her across various cities in the United States; all to bring her back to Waycross, GA as an adult. Easter has to deal with the love that she has for another woman but the love wasn't returned the same way. That is just one of the stumbling blocks she had to face. As Easter migrated to various cities, she met and became friends with many different people, actual and aesthetic. When Easter left Waycross, she left with every intention of never returning. She never stayed in one place long until she moved to Harlem. You will have to read the book to understand what brought her back to Waycross, GA. Throughout the pages, I cried, got angry, laughed and cried some more. When an author can do this to me, they have a craft like no other. Ms. McFadden states, "I write to breath life back into memory to remind African-Americans of our rich and textured history." In my opinion, Ms. McFadden is the "Stephen King" of African American author.
Reviewer: Yolanda
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