Synopses & Reviews
A marvelous and satisfying suite of stories exploring the universal themes of love, hope, home, and family from celebrated author J. California Cooper.
In stories that are simple yet elegant, hard-hitting yet poignant, J. California Cooper writes about the search for fulfillment that propels people's dreams and desires. In "As Time Goes By" a young woman named Futila Ways grows up focusing her dream of a better future on material wealth, only to discover that having everything she ever wanted cannot compensate for the emptiness in her heart. "The Eye of the Beholder" recounts the story of an unattractive young girl, Lily Bea, whose search for love leads her to embrace her own brand of freedom. And in "Catch a Falling Heart" a woman mildly crippled in a fall endures loneliness and solitude until she finds a man and provides a resting place for his love. Each story beautifully conveys the profound human need to seek some sort of satisfaction, just as a wild star seeks a midnight sun.
J. California Cooper's insights into the hearts and souls of ordinary people and her irresistible storytelling voice have endeared her to fans and critics. As Ms. magazine wrote, "Cooper's stories beckon. It is as if she is patting the seat next to us, enticing us to come sit and listen."
Review
"Warm-hearted, earthy and sly. As enjoyable as a favorite relative who has all the dirt on the other family members in the room." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Cooper's talent for capturing the lives of ordinary people penetrates this collection....Cooper fans will enjoy this collection, and those who are new to her work will appreciate her character development and artful storytelling." Booklist
About the Author
J. California Cooper is the author of the novels Family and In Search of Satisfaction, and of several short-story collections: Homemade Love, the winner of the 1989 American Book Award; A Piece of Mine; The Future Has a Past; Some Love, Some Pain, Sometime; The Matter Is Life; and Some Soul to Keep. She is also the author of seventeen plays and has been honored as Black Playwright of the Year. She lives in northern California.