Why read Bailey's Cafe?

Book cover of Bailey's Cafe

Book description

A “moving and memorable” novel about a cafe where everyone has a story to tell from the award-winning author of The Women of Brewster Place (The Boston Globe).

In post–World War II Brooklyn, on a quiet backstreet, there’s a little place that draws people from all over—not for the food,…

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Genres

Historical fiction

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Why read it?

1 author picked Bailey's Cafe as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Deborah L. King

Author

An eclectic group of people regularly visit Bailey’s Cafe.

The owner believes the cafe is magical and he tells the stories of each of its patrons finding their way to a local boarding house and ultimately finding themselves. From the opening tale of the cafe owner to Sadie, and Eve, and Jessie Bell, and others, the stories are excellently told, each in a distinct voice.

Author Gloria Naylor has explained that the themes are relating to female sexuality and femaleness. I will note there are some pretty rough scenes, but the characters and their stories are unforgettable.

From Deborah's list on The best books about Black women by Black women.