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
112
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1920s
1984
Adult
18+ years
NP
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