Plot Summary

Betsey Brown

Ntozake Shange
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Betsey Brown

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985

Book Brief

Ntozake Shange

Betsey Brown

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985
Book Details
Pages

207

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

St. Louis, Missouri • 1950s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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Super Short Summary

Betsey Brown by Ntozake Shange follows the experiences of a young African American girl, Betsey, coming of age in 1950s St. Louis amid the challenges of desegregation. The novel explores themes of racial identity, family and community dynamics, and Betsey's developing sexuality as she navigates school life, familial conflicts, and her place in a transforming society. The book contains scenes of racism and domestic conflict.

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

730 ratings

67%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Betsey Brown by Ntozake Shange receives praise for its poetic prose, vivid imagery, and nuanced depiction of African American life in the 1950s. Critics appreciate Shange's ability to capture the complexities of adolescence and racial identity. Some find the narrative scattered and character development uneven. Overall, it is lauded as a compelling, though occasionally disjointed, coming-of-age story.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Betsey Brown?

Readers of Ntozake Shange’s Betsey Brown will likely enjoy coming-of-age stories rich in cultural and historical context. Fans of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple who appreciate nuanced explorations of African American identity, girlhood, and family dynamics in the mid-20th century might find this novel particularly engaging.

4.1

730 ratings

67%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Published in 1985, Betsey Brown marks the only novel written by renowned playwright and poet Ntozake Shange, who is best known for her theater piece For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

Betsey Brown was adapted into a stage play by Ntozake Shange herself, showcasing her versatility in both prose and playwriting.

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The novel mixes prose with poetic elements, reflecting Shange's distinct style, which often blurs the lines between narrative and poetic expression.

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Book Details
Pages

207

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

St. Louis, Missouri • 1950s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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