Tambourines to Glory

Name: Tambourines to Glory
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Langston Hughes
ISBN: 9781440799648

Author: Langston Hughes

Narrator: Myra Lucretia Taylor

Unabridged: 4 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 03/11/2008

Categories: Fiction, Literary Fiction, African American & Black Fiction, Urban

Synopsis

Poet, author and playwright Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance in the late 1950s. His writings capture the spirit of black culture as it struggled for recognition and acceptance. Tambourines to Glory is a morality fable illustrating the perpetual fight between good and evil. Angelic Essie Belle Johnson and devilish Laura Reed both agree that they need to do something to spice up their lives-and earn more money. So, they start their own church on the street in front of their Harlem apartment. With Laura's gift for performing and Essie's melodious voice, the two quickly become a hit and must move their services into a renovated theatre. But as their congregation grows, a host of misfits enter the scene-some honest, and others who just want a piece of the pie. Featuring a stunning performance by Myra Lucretia Taylor, Tambourines to Glory is a classic of American literature and a must listen for anyone interested in the history of African-American culture.

About Langston Hughes

The great poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes (1902-67) was equally adept at writing novels, plays, essays, song lyrics, and newspaper columns. In every genre, he created stirring expressions of life's struggles and joys.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Karen_RunwrightReads

I enjoyed the visual and lyrical feel of this short novel. As someone who is very aware of the criticisms of the church but am a church-goer myself, this plot strikes a chord with me. I think Hughes does a good job showing how religion can be life-changing in very different ways, and not always lead......more

Goodreads review by Jim

I started the year with a goal of 2 books a month so am a little behind having just finished my 2nd book! Saw this on a Black History Month display at the library and decided to give it a try. Excellent period novel about the struggle between good and evil, street-corner evangelists and storefront c......more

Goodreads review by Panda

Audiobook (4 hours) narrated by Myra Lucretia Taylor Myra Lucretia Taylor recorded this novel, originally written in 1958, in 1985. The recording was then upgraded and reformatted in 2007. It's beautifully narrated and the quality is fantastic. The only indication that this narration was done so long......more

Goodreads review by Tamara

“Tambourines to Glory” was the second novel written by Langston Hughes that is unknown by most people. Interestingly enough, this novel was based on a play of the same name 1956 which Hughes wrote in ten days. In addition, after “Tambourines to Glory” was published as a novel in 1958, the play hit B......more

Goodreads review by Bri

I don't often read classics, but Langston Hughes is one of my favorite writers, and I love reading works from the Harlem Renaissance. I found this while browsing my local library and was immediately intrigued. This novel is about two friends who find God in a crap apartment in Harlem because they ne......more