46 pages 1 hour read

Lynn Nottage

Crumbs From the Table of Joy

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Crumbs From the Table of Joy follows 17-year-old Ernestine Crump who, after her mother's death, relocates with her grieving father and younger sister from Florida to Brooklyn in 1950. Faced with their father's strict religious devotion and the unexpected arrival of their radical aunt, the family navigates challenges of race, class, and identity in America. The story includes depictions of racism, racial violence, and substance use.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Lynn Nottage's Crumbs From the Table of Joy is lauded for its poignant exploration of race, family, and identity within 1950s America. Critics praise its rich character development and lyrical prose. However, some find its pacing uneven and a few plot elements underdeveloped. Overall, the play provides a thought-provoking, emotional experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Crumbs From the Table of Joy?

Readers who appreciate Crumbs From the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage enjoy poignant family dramas set against historical backdrops. Fans of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry or The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams would find this play’s exploration of race, identity, and change equally compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Historical Fiction

Drama / Tragedy

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Identity: Race

Society: Nation

Topics

Race / Racism