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Jonathan K (Max Outlier)'s Reviews > The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel―The Untold Story of Hattie McDaniel's Life and Legacy
The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel―The Untold Story of Hattie McDaniel's Life and Legacy
by
by
Hattie McDaniel was the first black female to win an Oscar for her role in "Gone with the Wind" in the early 1940's. Her studio contract afforded the income to purchase a home in the Sugar Hill district of Los Angeles, hence the title.
In spite of her achievement, being 'colored' remained a major factor due to rampant racism across the nation. While close with Clark Gable and other celebrities, she battled with Walter White, president of the NACCP, media, Sugar Hill neighbors, husbands, friends and others. When added to her string of unsuccessful marriages, her life was anything but pretty.
In terms of reader engagement, I felt the dialog was amateurish and overused and was tempted to quit in the early stages. Having loved the depth and skill used with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks this book pales in comparison.
That said, if the premise is of interest, add it to your list, though I wouldn't recommend it otherwise
In spite of her achievement, being 'colored' remained a major factor due to rampant racism across the nation. While close with Clark Gable and other celebrities, she battled with Walter White, president of the NACCP, media, Sugar Hill neighbors, husbands, friends and others. When added to her string of unsuccessful marriages, her life was anything but pretty.
In terms of reader engagement, I felt the dialog was amateurish and overused and was tempted to quit in the early stages. Having loved the depth and skill used with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks this book pales in comparison.
That said, if the premise is of interest, add it to your list, though I wouldn't recommend it otherwise
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The Queen of Sugar Hill.
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Reading Progress
April 21, 2024
– Shelved
April 21, 2024
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 4, 2024
–
Started Reading
May 8, 2024
–
9.49%
"Reads like a history book in some respects. Never having read this author before will have to see if she manages to shift gears.. Hmmm"
page
41
May 8, 2024
–
17.59%
"While it's relatively well written it's predictable due to the time period where segregation is rampant. In some ways it reminds me of the Henrietta Lacks story though not as interesting"
page
76
May 14, 2024
–
25.0%
"While reasonably well written I find the dialog somewhat contrived rather than realistic and there's a bit too much of it too. Otherwise it's an interesting story"
page
108
May 15, 2024
–
60.88%
"Hattie had some serious anger issues though in many ways not surprising."
page
263
May 15, 2024
–
60.88%
"I now realize this is factual rather than fiction. Given the time period Hattie lived, Ms Tate must have done copious research to produce such detail. I still feel the dialog takes away from the story though."
page
263
May 19, 2024
–
99.54%
"Historical fiction of the first black woman to win the Oscar is interesting. That said I'll do a brief review tomorrow rating it 3 stars at best."
page
430
May 20, 2024
–
Finished Reading
