Not Without Laughter

Not Without Laughter is drawn in part from the author''s own recollections of youth and early manhood.This stirring coming-of-age tale unfolds in 1930s rural Kansas. A poignant portrait of African-American family life in the early twentieth century it follows the story of young Sandy Rogers as he grows from a boy to a man. We meet Sandy''s mother Annjee who works as a housekeeper for a wealthy white family; his strong-willed grandmother Hager; Jimboy Sandy''s father who travels the country looking for work; Aunt Tempy the social climber; and Aunt Harriet the blues singer who has turned away from her faith.A fascinating chronicle of a family''s joys and hardships Not Without Laughter is a vivid exploration of growing up and growing strong in a racially divided society. A rich and important work it masterfully echoes the black American experience.