Reviews

Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem Renaissance by Zora Neale Hurston

akona's review

dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

brittany_dee's review

slow-paced

4.0

sistaharlem's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

3.0

noelles's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

katel1970's review

4.0

As always in short story collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others. Overall, it was a fantastic collection. I appreciated the structure of the various tales, especially those that mimicked bible chapters. Effective presentation, verily.

cmhillner's review

5.0

I don’t like shorts stories as a general rules but this book may have changed my mind. These are amazing. The writing gives a vivid picture of people and places you feel like you are there. There is so much to think about with the themes and Zora has an incredible sense of humor.” She is a mighty biscuit cooker before the Lord.” Has there even been a greater or funny recommendation of a bride? These stories are a treasure. The audio book is wonderful, even if like me, you don’t generally care for them.

heidipolkissa82's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sverville's review

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mkdjoum's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

2024 might be the year of short story collections for me. I always love anything by Zora Neale Hurston, but this collection gave me grief, humor, romance and more. It’s perfect. 

Some of my favorites included: John Redding Goes to Sea, Magnolia Flower, Muttsy and Book of Harlem. 

calih's review

reflective slow-paced

3.0