Book Review: “Out of No Way: Madam CJ Walker & A’Lelia Walker A Poetic Drama” by Roje Augustin
“Out of No Way: Madam CJ Walker & A’Lelia Walker A Poetic Drama” by Roje Augustin (2020)
Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction
Page Length: 160 pages (electronic review edition)
Synopsis:
Author, producer, and emerging poet Roje Augustin has written a groundbreaking debut collection of dramatic poems about hair care entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker and her daughter, A’Lelia. Roje’s singular and accomplished work is presented through the intimate lens of the mother-daughter relationship via different poetic forms – from lyric to haiku, blackout to narrative. (One poem takes its inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven.) Written in tribute to Walker, Out of No Way deftly and beautifully explores themes of race, motherhood, sacrifice, beauty, and the meaning of success in Jim Crow America.
Review:
Out of No Way is a poetry book about the life and legacy Of Madam CJ Walker and her legacy as an entrepreneur and her impact in the Black community. The book briefly summarizes Walker’s background and how she came to be a part of the hair industry and revolutionize black hair with her technique and products. Through books introduced Walker’s history to me from a young age. I’ve read numerous articles and books about her, but this was the first poetry book I’ve based on her life and the first poetry book I read that focuses on a historical figure.
Though this is a work of poetic fiction, it was interesting to see a new perspective on Walker’s life through the lens of verse. The lyrical quality of the poem is powerful, emotional, and visceral as it tries to capture what thoughts and feelings she was going through during her early life and career. Before reading this book, I hadn’t known much about her daughter, which added a more personal and in-depth touch to the narrative. This aspect connects the reader closer to the text and paints a vivid portrait of their connection and legacy.
It was an exciting reading experience for me, and reading this inspires me to try to see other poetry works based on history. Though a short piece of poetic fiction, Out of No Way, it leaves the reader wanting to know more. And hopefully, this book will inspire readers to research more about Walker and its long-lasting impact.
Final Verdict:
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
That’s interesting! I read a lyric biography of Portia White, an opera singer about a century ago, when it was uncommon for a Black woman to be cast in operatic productions (by a Canadian author, George Elliot Clarke). Have you seen the limited series on NF about Madame CJ Walker? I really enjoyed it too.
I think I started the NF series for Walker, but I need to go back and finish it. A poetic historical fiction drama was a new reading experience for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A poetry biography is an interesting idea
I agree. It was such an interesting experience for me since I haven’t read any books like that before.