My Soul Looks Back
A Memoir
by Jessica B. Harris
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Pub Date May 09 2017 | Archive Date Oct 12 2021
Description
In the Technicolor glow of the early seventies, Jessica B. Harris debated, celebrated, and danced her way from the jazz clubs of the Manhattan's West Side to the restaurants of the Village, living out her buoyant youth alongside the great minds of the day—luminaries like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. My Soul Looks Back is her paean to that fascinating social circle and the depth of their shared commitment to activism, intellectual engagement, and each other.
Harris paints evocative portraits of her illustrious friends: Baldwin as he read aloud an early draft of If Beale Street Could Talk, Angelou cooking in her California kitchen, and Morrison relaxing at Baldwin’s house in Provence. Harris describes her role as theater critic for the New York Amsterdam News and editor at then burgeoning Essence magazine; star-studded parties in the South of France; drinks at Mikell’s, a hip West Side club; and the simple joy these extraordinary people took in each other’s company. The book is framed by Harris’s relationship with Sam Floyd, a fellow professor at Queens College, who introduced her to Baldwin.
More than a memoir of friendship and first love My Soul Looks Back is a carefully crafted, intimately understood homage to a bygone era and the people that made it so remarkable.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781501125904 |
| PRICE | $25.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 256 |
Featured Reviews
Kimberly O, Educator
Jessica Harris has written a delicious memoir about her time with Sam Floyd and the entree that gave her to a circle of friends that is legendary. From James Baldwin to Maya Angelou and most of the African American intelligentsia of the 1970s forward, she was a part of a truly vibrant time in art, writing, and other creative endeavors.
I really enjoyed the personal tone of the book. It was juicy without becoming mean or gossipy. I loved that each chapter ended with a recipe - it tied her academic interests beautifully with her personal life and how important shared meals were.
I read this book in one sitting. I didn't have the self-control to pace myself and savor each chapter. I plan to re-read it more slowly in the near future.
V N, Reviewer
Good book. It reminded me of growing up, when people cared for each other and any occassion (sometimes none at all) were a reason to get a group of friends together for friendship and bonding. Ms. Harris' life was a joy to read. It was interesting and made you want to keep reading. It even brought back memories for me from the 70's that was very nice to re-visit. This is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story to share with us the reader. Very good and feel good book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this awesome book in return for my honest review.
Michelle K, Reviewer
My Soul Looks Back
A Memoir
by Jessica B. Harris
Scribner
Biographies & Memoirs
Pub Date 09 May 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing My Soul Looks Back through the Publishers and Netgalley:
In this new memoir award winning author Jessica B. Harriss recalls the vibrant New York of her youth. She talks about the city before AIDS and the economic downturn. She tells of a circle of friends that included James Baldwin,
In the seventies, she was friends with the great minds of the day Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou.
I give My Soul Looks Back five out of five stars.
Happy Reading...
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