74 pages • 2 hours read
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
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Book Brief
112
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1920s
1984
Adult
18+ years
NP
Super Short Summary
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, set in 1927, depicts a day in a Chicago recording studio where the blues singer Ma Rainey and her band, consisting of Cutler, Slow Drag, Toledo, and Levee, record an album. As they navigate tensions with the white studio owner and Ma's agent, conversations reveal struggles with racial power dynamics. Levee's frustration culminates in conflict when his ambitions are thwarted. Themes of exploitation and the era's racial discrimination are explored. This work contains discussions of racial power dynamics, violence, and discrimination.
Gritty
Emotional
Challenging
Melancholic
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
4,223 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson is widely praised for its compelling portrayal of 1920s racial and artistic struggles. Critics commend the dynamic characters and sharp dialogue, highlighting their emotional depth and complexity. However, some feel the plot lacks momentum in parts. Overall, it's a powerful exploration of ambition, exploitation, and identity.
Who Should Read Ma Rainey's Black Bottom?
A reader captivated by African American history, rich cultural narratives, and intense character studies would relish August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Comparable to readers of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, this audience thrives on exploring race, identity, and the African American experience through powerful dialogue and setting.
4,223 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sturdyvant
Sturdyvant
The owner of the recording studio, who is primarily focused on profit and prefers to keep his dealings with black performers impersonal, allowing Irvin to mediate with Ma Rainey.
Cutler
Cutler
The band's leader and a sensible, reliable musician who adheres to Ma Rainey's instructions and prioritizes earning a day's wage while maintaining order among his bandmates.
Slow Drag
Slow Drag
The laid-back bass player in the band, known for his deceptively casual demeanor and quick thinking, with a long history of playing alongside Cutler.
Toledo
Toledo
The band's pianist and philosophical voice, a self-taught intellectual who frequently shares thought-provoking insights and historical perspectives with his bandmates.
Levee
Levee
The impulsive and ambitious trumpet player, younger than his bandmates, driven by personal trauma and dreams of musical success beyond the confines of Ma Rainey's band.
Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey
The central figure, an iconic blues singer with a commanding presence, known for asserting her influence in the music business and demanding respect due to her talent and success.
Dussie Mae
Dussie Mae
A young woman in Ma Rainey's entourage, known for her captivating energy and her close connection to Ma, who is speculated to be her lover.
Sylvester
Sylvester
Ma Rainey's stuttering nephew, whom she brings to the studio to participate in the recording session despite his speech impediment, showcasing her loyalty to family.
Policeman
Policeman
A white officer who escorts Ma Rainey and her entourage to the studio after a car accident, demonstrating the racial tensions of the time before being persuaded by Irvin to let them go.
112
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1920s
1984
Adult
18+ years
NP
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