46 pages • 1 hour read
Crumbs From the Table of Joy
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Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
1998
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
Crumbs From the Table of Joy follows 17-year-old Ernestine Crump who, after her mother's death, relocates with her grieving father and younger sister from Florida to Brooklyn in 1950. Faced with their father's strict religious devotion and the unexpected arrival of their radical aunt, the family navigates challenges of race, class, and identity in America. The story includes depictions of racism, racial violence, and substance use.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
253 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lynn Nottage's Crumbs From the Table of Joy is lauded for its poignant exploration of race, family, and identity within 1950s America. Critics praise its rich character development and lyrical prose. However, some find its pacing uneven and a few plot elements underdeveloped. Overall, the play provides a thought-provoking, emotional experience.
Who Should Read Crumbs From the Table of Joy?
Readers who appreciate Crumbs From the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage enjoy poignant family dramas set against historical backdrops. Fans of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry or The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams would find this play’s exploration of race, identity, and change equally compelling.
253 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ermina Crump
Ermina Crump
Ernestine’s 15-year-old sister, who is more outgoing and combative. She navigates adolescence with a strong will and independence, often challenging social norms.
Godfrey Crump
Godfrey Crump
The father of Ernestine and Ermina, who moves his family to Brooklyn following the death of his wife. He struggles with grief and seeks guidance from the religious figure Father Divine.
Lily Ann Green
Lily Ann Green
The 35-year-old sister of the late Sandra Crump, she arrives in Brooklyn from Harlem and embodies the Crump family’s past. A self-proclaimed revolutionary, she has a significant influence on Ernestine.
Gerte Schulte
Gerte Schulte
A 30-year-old German immigrant and Godfrey’s new wife, she is the only white character in the play. Her marriage to Godfrey represents a move toward a future shaped by different social dynamics.
72
Play • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
1998
Adult
14-18 years
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