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Macnolia: Poems

"Jordan is a wizard at capturing vernacular in both conventional forms and his own invention." --Black Issues Book Review In 1936, teenager MacNolia Cox became the first African American finalist in the National Spelling Bee Competition. Supposedly prevented from winning, the precocious child who dreamed of becoming a doctor was changed irrevocably. Her story, told in a poignant nonlinear narrative, illustrates the power of a pivotal moment in a life.

Paperback: 144 pages

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (December 17, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0393327647

ISBN-13: 978-0393327649

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches

Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #225,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #110 in Books > Literature & Fiction > African American > Poetry #664 in Office Products > Educational Supplies > Early Childhood Education Materials #946 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > United States

I admit, the purchase of Macnolia was an impulse buy. The eyes of an inocent brown face staring at me with a definition printed across her forehead. I was intrigued. And I sat in the indie bookshop and read. A half hour later, I walked away with a new book for my collection.mac*no*lia (mak nol ya), n. a Negro who spells and reads as well [if not better than] any white.This is my introduction ot A. Van Jordan. This was the first poetry book that opened my eyes to what a poetry collection could be. Too often, books of poetry are loose, wandering collections of randomness. Profound, perhaps. Deep even. But strewn together without any connectivity or coherence. This is acceptable because, it is poetry. I love this poetry book because I understand with the turn of each page that each poem was written with pure intention.Macnolia explores the love between the man and a woman, Macnolia explores the effects of being Black in America, Macnolia the public moments which defined private experiences of Black history - A. Phillip Randolph, Josephine Baker, Richard Pryor, Jesse Owens among others.This is a beautiful collection of poetry, a poetic storyline, a bound confession of a people.

M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A, about an African American spelling bee whiz-kid, is a compelling, heart-grabbing use of actual history origami-ed with the music of poetry. This collection takes the factual accounting of MacNolia Cox Montiere and orchestrates it with original imaginings and charged reveries that challenge the reader to stand and hear, to witness, the intimacies of a young bright girl on the jagged-sharp wrong-end of racial attitudes during the Depression. Van Jordan is everything a great historical fiction writer should be--he just does it wearing the hat of a poet. Van Jordan has crafted a phenomenal work utilizing historically significant issues--and, unfortunately, issues still front-and-center in our current times. Some will read this stunning creation and comment on How Far We've Come. Others of us will sigh with regret, mournfully acknowledging how closely--too closely--this story mirrors those of our nightly news, our communities, even now. Get M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A today. Kick back, maybe put on some Earl Hines, some Billie Holiday. Slip yourself in the freshly-shined shoes, the new hand-made fancy dress of MacNolia--listen to the tip-tapping of her soles across the stage. Feel that silver-tinged hum of adrenaline? Listen to her confidence as she calls out the letters to words that (mostly) live in other people's lives. Drink in her elation, swallow her heartache. Marvel at how her disillusions with life, with the concept of fairness and equality--mirror water-colored shades of your own, of all our own. Bear witness. She deserves that much at least. Don't we all? Van Jordan is a poet that has the power to stretch minds, to turn hearts, with his haunting portrayals. This is why I read contemporary poetry.

the truth of memoir, lyricism of poetry, and narrative arc of fiction. incredible story, well told.

I received my book in excellent condition just like they said it would be in. It was delivered just in time for my first class like they said it would be. It was a great buy and saved me money.

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