34 pages 1 hour read

Gwendolyn Brooks

Maud Martha

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1953

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Gwendolyn Brooks' Maud Martha receives acclaim for its poetic prose and deep exploration of an African American woman's inner life. Readers appreciate Brooks' nuanced character portrayal and social commentary. However, some find its episodic structure challenging. Overall, the novel is praised for its emotional depth and lyrical narrative, despite a few structural criticisms.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Maud Martha?

A reader who would enjoy Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks is likely appreciative of poetic prose and introspective narratives. Fans of The Street by Ann Petry or The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison will find resonance in this novel's exploration of African American life, identity, and beauty through the lens of everyday experiences.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Book Details

Period
Black Arts Movement
Themes
Relationships: Marriage
Genre
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
African American Literature