*I am not a Black women so please consider the reviews of Black women as holding more weight than mine*

An essential read for anyone in the arts!

I haven't finished this book yet as I feel it isn't one to power through, but it is such an important addition to the discourse on race, comedy, and how they intertwine. I love getting a history of Black comedians I didn't know (but clearly should!) and think the concept of "joke-telling as truth telling in the name of Black women's expression and freedom" is critical to having a more intersectional understanding of comedy and comedic spaces (I did my MA mini thesis on how theatre is used as a tool of social change and Indigenous reconciliation, so this sort of thing is right up my alley). This book is unabashedly Black, queer, and feminist, and is an excellent addition to the shelves of both scholars and people who just want to more about Black comedy.

Black feminist comedy is something I know very little about and I am excited to fill in some of my gaps of knowledge.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Wood writes a book that America is likely ready to devour. Comedy is unifying and Black women described herein are powerful conveyors of emerging perspectives of truth told on a slant. I had not realized the historical depth of this subject until coming upon this book.

Amazing. Well written and exposed. I didn't know what to expect starting this book, but it was amazing, in the retelling of history and explaining the roles in society and culture.

Cracking Up is the introduction and history of Black feminist comics that I have been looking for! The book examines the history and space for Black women comedians in culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was excellent in its history and education of how identities play roles in culture. I loved learning more about Moms Mabely and Wanda Sykes.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to thank anyone, because it would just sound rude.
I thought I'd love this. I was wrong.
I love comedy. That's it. Put it in any category you want. Funny is funny.
This wasn't.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Well written expose on BIPOC female comedians. It gives glimpse of Wanda Sykes, Amanda Seales, Whoopi and a full analysis of Mom's life and comedy. You will learn about the challenges women of color face in a male driven world and they way they confront the isms of life. In some ways it reads like a dissertation., in others, like a recounting of an awesome night at the theater.

Thanks to NetGalley, University of Iowa Press and Katelyn Hale Wood for an ARC of this engaging book in exchange for an honest book review.
I didn’t, know what to expect when I started reading this book but I was intrigued by the description. I recalled seeing Moms Mabley on television when I was young and remember that she was not only funny but different than what I was accustomed to. Not because she was black but because she was a woman and one that was not glamorous. Her frumpy hat, house dress, deep voiced delivery. toothless smile and picture perfect storytelling was infectious. Katelyn Hale Wood brings “Moms” and other talented comedians such as Wanda Sykes, Phoebe Robinson and Mo’Nique (to name a few) to center stage as she explores the world of Black women’s history. The Black feminist brings a combination of intellect, culture, activism and queerness to their performance. Theirs is a story of survival in this white male dominated entertainment sector. It is a story of strength, determination and one that it told with tenderness and moving content.
These wonderfully talented women are champions as is Katelyn Hale Wood for telling a well deserved and ‘needed to be told’ chapter.