For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
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On Jul 3, 2022, Anonymous said
“for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf” is a book that is unflinching, raw and real in its expression of Black female identity. The book is a 'choreopoem', sung and enacted on stage by actors. The collection consists of twenty poems narrated by women wearing the colors of the rainbow, except for one wearing brown. The poems talk about the “dark phases” in the lives of Black women growing up in America. Ntozake Shange is frank and unapologetic in her verse. The poems are deliberately punctuated and have a style of their own. The themes of sexual, physical and psychological violence on Black women pervade the poems, lending them an ominous tone. While some poems are glimpses of painful moments for Black women in a male world, other poems discuss the women’s own insecurities and anxieties. Notably, one has to have an understanding of Black culture and history if they want to comprehend the local jargon and the numerous references. Besides its startling subjects, the poems simmer with hidden resentment and anger. For instance, “We gotta dance to keep from crying, we gotta dance to keep from dying.”- Although impactful, these lines flirt with fantasy. The detailing of the events is laudable and makes it all the more tangible. The movement of the events for the most part, seem natural. At certain moments, the stilted style of the verse distances the audience from the powerful narrative it wishes to tell. It is not an easy read for those used to conventional verse on comfortable subjects. There seems to be no apparent connection between the poems, except that they deal with the experiences of Black women. The poems are written for the stage and therefore will succeed more as a production than as a book of poetry. Admittedly, I wondered if the rainbow at the end is worth all the ordeals these women have to undergo. However, the book ends in the celebration of the individual and hope for the future. Undeniably, the poems portray the “metaphysical dilemma of being alive, being a woman, being colored” in a predominantly oppressive society that hinders their progress at every turn. for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf is bold for the stories it chooses to tell, but will those stories outlive the test of time is a question worth asking.
Available Copies
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf: A Choreopoem
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- As New
- Binding
- Soft cover
- ISBN
- 9780020248910
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Stoney Creek, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
-
NZ$25.56
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Description:
Collier Macmillan Pub Co. Soft cover. As New. As New, unread condition from the original publisher's warehouse - reprint trade paperback edition of the important book of poems of the Obie Award winner and Tony nominated shows based on this book.
Item Price
NZ$25.56
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For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake, Shange
- Condition
- Used - Very Good +
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- 1/2 cloth
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$721.98
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Description:
New York: Macmillan, 1977. 1st Edition. 1/2 cloth. Very Good +/Very Good. Boards with half cloth. Previous owner's name in ink on front fly leaf. DJ price clipped. First edition. Signed by author on title page.
Item Price
NZ$721.98
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf: A Choreopoem
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Printing
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Buttaba, New South Wales, AUS
- Item Price
-
NZ$20.02
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Description:
New York, USA: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc, 1977. Book. Good. Hardcover with Dust Jacket. First Printing. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Hardcover with yellow boards and pictorial dust jacket, first printing, 336gms, 64 pages. This book of poetry is a celebration of being black and being woman. With the joy that comes from courage, from daring to sing… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$20.02
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.42
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Description:
Scribner, 1977. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$11.42
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf: a Choreopoem
by Ntozake Shange.
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 6th ptg
- Published
- 1979
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Binghamton, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$14.48
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Description:
New York: Macmillan, 1979. 6th ptg . Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. DJ by Rubin Pfeffer. 13400 shelf. Gold-stamped blue cloth spine w/ lightly aged yellow bds. No names, clean text. Lightly aged but unchipped dust jacket.
Item Price
NZ$14.48
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1989
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780020248910
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.01
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Description:
Scribner, 1989. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$11.01
For colored girls who have considered suicide, when the rainbow is enuf : a choreopoem / Ntozake Shange
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 1979-01-01
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$17.04
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Description:
New York : Macmillan, 1979-01-01. Hardcover. Acceptable. 0.7000 in x 9.4000 in x 6.1000 in. First printing. Lacks dust jacket. Light wear and discoloration to cover. Item Price
NZ$17.04
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, When the Rainbow is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Soft cover
- ISBN
- 9780553133073
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Manasquan, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$25.56
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Description:
New York: Bantam Books, 1980. Soft cover. Fine. Vintage Paperback. Sharp Unread 2nd Paperback Printing. $1.95 cover price. January, 1980. Square, tight and clean throughout with little or no wear. Fresh and bright with no chipping, creases, or tears. A very pretty collectable copy at a great price. Item Price
NZ$25.56
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 1989
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780020248910
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.02
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Description:
Scribner, 1989. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$11.02
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake (Author)
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good+
- Edition
- Book Club (BCE/BOMC)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Richland, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$24.71
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Description:
New York, New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.. Book Club (BCE/BOMC). Hardcover. Very Good/Good+. Used Book: Hard Cover Very slight shelf wear to the dust jacket, cover, and spine with a 1/2 inch closed tear to the upper rear jacket edge and a 1/2 inch closed tear to the lower jacket edge. Binding remains tight and pages… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$24.71
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 1977-05-01
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Ventura, California, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$8.43
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Description:
Macmillan Publishing Company, 1977-05-01. Hardcover. Acceptable. Your purchase benefits those with developmental disabilities to live a better quality of life. wear and tear on DJ wear on edges sun damage yellowing minimal stains on edges stains on inside cover Name or gift inscription inside book Item Price
NZ$8.43
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780684843261
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Reno, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$8.52
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Scribner. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Item Price
NZ$8.52
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.35
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Scribner. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
NZ$11.35
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.42
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Description:
Scribner, 1977. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$11.42
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf: A Chorepoem
by SHANGE, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$85.20
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Description:
New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1977. Hardcover. Very Good/Near Fine. First clothbound edition, and first edition thus by this publisher. Foxing on the top page edge, slightly bowed boards, and toning on the board edges else very good in a near fine dust jacket with a shadow from sticker removal on the rear panel, toning on the flap edges,… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$85.20
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$11.52
Show Details
Description:
Scribner, 1977. Hardcover. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$11.52
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1977-05-01
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Vinemont, Alabama, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$12.35
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Description:
Macmillan Publishing Company, 1977-05-01. Hardcover. Good. 8x6x0. Hardcover with dust jacket in good condition. Has some discoloration on the bottom edge of the dust jacket by the spine, otherwise a really nice copy. Item Price
NZ$12.35
For colored girls who have considered suicide/When the rainbow is enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2010
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781439186817
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$10.46
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Description:
Scribner, 2010. Paperback. Very Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The spine remains undamaged. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$10.46
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Shange, Ntozake
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Hard Cover
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
NZ$47.01
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Description:
New York: Macmillan Publishers Limited 1977. Large 8vo. 64 pp. Authors first book. some dents to jacket and slight spotting to endpapers 0026098407 . Very Good. Hard Cover. 1977. Item Price
NZ$47.01
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
by Ntozake Shange
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780026098403
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
NZ$12.87
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Description:
Macmillan Publishing Company. Used - Good. Good condition. No Dust Jacket A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Item Price
NZ$12.87