Step into a world : a global anthology of the new Black literature

Step Into A World

"Kevin Powell is pushing to bring, as he has so brilliantly done before, the voices of his generation: the concerns, the cares, the fears, and the fearlessness. Step into a World is a kaleidoscope into the world not bound by artificial constructs like nation. John Coltrane recorded 'Giant Steps,' which is a riff on the sight and sounds in his muse. Powell plays the computer with equal astuteness." -Nikki Giovanni

"Those of us who pay attention were aware that the younger generation of black writers was being smothered by the anointment of talented tenth Divas and Divuses, and their commercial accommodationist 'Fourth Renaissance. 'This anthology is indeed a breakthrough! It combines the boldness and daring of hip-hop with the intellectual keenness of a Michele Wallace or a Clyde Taylor." -Ishmael Reed

"In a culture where videos, the Internet, and other high-tech communication is being consumed like the latest mind-altering drug, how does great literature grow and survive? These writers will answer that all-important question. This anthology provides a clue, a hint, as to where we might be going. They are resisting all this vacant, empty-minded nothingness. Read them. Listen to them. If you don't, you do so at your peril." -Quincy Troupe

Kirkus评论

Poet and journalist Powell (Keepin It Real, 1997) is one of the most audible and outspoken advocates of the young black literary voice on the scene today. He has here assembled the essays, fiction, poetry, criticism, and journalism of more than 100 young writers. Although of predictably variable quality, most entries are engaging and provocative, with stand-out work by Malcolm Gladwell (The Sports Taboo: Why Blacks are Like Boys and Whites are Like Girls), Daphne Brooks (a critical piece on Oprahs book club), Erin Aubrey (a consideration of Ebonics), Scott Poulson-Bryant (an insightful article on Sean Puffy Combs), and the very beautiful and often disturbing fiction of such talents as Junot Díaz, Christopher John Farley, John Keene, Victor D. La Valle, Phylis Alesia Perry, and Bernardine Evaristo. Considering a wide range of subjects (including sexuality, violence, feminism, linguistics, politics, prostitution, music, love, media, and spirituality), these short works are linked only by the racial origins of their authors. Powells decision to alphabetize entries within categories serves to reiterate this lack of overriding theme and to emphasize the infinite range and flexibility of this, the new world of black writers. A fascinating collection of work from established authors and bold new voices.

《书目》(Booklist)书评

Powell concedes the lack of a unifying theme in this eclectic collection of writing from 104 contemporary black writers, famous and obscure, aged 23 to 43, from 9 countries and 3 continents. The collection reflects the slickness of young black wordsmiths, race consciousness, and sensibilities about the artistry of communication via word. The different styles and media--including a manifesto, a letter, and an e-mail--reflect the diversity of talent among the group of writers, generally lumped together under the heading of black writers. The collection includes Valerie Boyd in a tribute to Alice Walker, Lisa Jones on the magical cure for race relations represented by the self-described Cablinasian Tiger Woods, and Powell on the racial politics of death row. Some other writers represented are Debra Dickerson, Trey Ellis, Edwidge Danticat, Tananarive Due, and Jake Lamar. This book is arranged in six sections: essays, hip-hop journalism, criticism, fiction, poetry, and dialogue. Powell laments the "MTV-ization of The Word Movement" among the young hip-hop writers and rappers but celebrates the enduring artistry and worth of verbal communication among black writers. --Vanessa Bush

《图书馆杂志》(Library Journal )书评

This anthology of young, contemporary black writers generally maintains a precarious balance between authentic discovery and promotional marketing, although the writing varies widely in quality and relevance (some selections are quite riveting, others just self-absorbed). Divided into six sectionsÄ"Essays," "Hip-Hop Journalism," "Criticism," "Fiction," "Poetry," and "Dialogue"Äthe collection presents a broad range of voices and perspectives, although a majority of them are, not surprisingly, from the United States. While some of the texts, particularly those on hip-hop, seem overly dramatic and hyperbolic, some very fine writing emerges in the "Essays" section. Mostly autobiographical, these selections address the very real contemporary problems of black identity in a post-Civil Rights era in which the political battle lines have become much more blurred and the issues of self, nation, class, gender, sexuality, and history are immensely complicated. The items in the "Dialogue" section are the most strident and the most inventive and compelling. Even though this book will mainly be used as a classroom textbook, it could be a valuable addition to larger collections and other libraries interested in offering brief introductions to young black writers.ÄRoger A. Berger, Everett Community Coll., WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Kirkus评论

《书目》(Booklist)书评

《图书馆杂志》(Library Journal )书评

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