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J. California Cooper
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Matter Is Life, The Hardcover – June 1, 1991

by J. California Cooper (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 185 ratings
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Collects a set of tales of simple people and events that are rich, lyrical, humorous, ironic, and full of wonder at life's mysteries
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  1. Print length
    227 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Doubleday
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 1991
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0385411731
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0385411738
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cooper's exuberant talent, displayed so effectively in Family , is somewhat muted in this uneven collection of eight deceptively simple slice-of-life parables. In "Vanity," a friend tells of the downfall of an egocentric beauty, whose passage from darling to victim is inadequately explained. Although Nona--the self-centered, superficial narrator of "Friends Anyone?"--has a Ph.D. in psychology, she never understands why she is rejected by family and friends, even by Jana, the childhood pal who ends up raising the twins--one deaf, one blind--Nona conceived with Jana's fiance. In "The Doras," the daughters of a poor black woman pursue her dreams and theirs, struggling along the way with poverty, prostitution and all kinds of abuse. Although the questions raised by these tales are important, the answers given are often trite. Sometimes overripe with symbolism, Cooper's trademark African-American dialect here makes it difficult to distinguish narrative voices.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The first of eight stories in this collection focuses on a funeral but affirms life. Almost every speech uttered by the 90-year-old narrator contains the words, "I ain't ready." Luxuriating in the love of her extensive family, she tells God and all the world that she is not ready to die. Later stories deal with poverty, abusive husbands, drug addiction, and prostitution, but even these grim situations yield nurturing down-home wisdom. Most of Cooper's first-person narrators are shrewd black women, and on occasion the stories suffer from sameness in plots, themes, and characters. Usually, however, they are touching without falling into sentimentality and totally honest without becoming crude.
- Albert E. Wilhelm, Tennessee Technological Univ., Cookeville
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Doubleday
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 1991
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 227 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385411731
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385411738
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 185 ratings

About the author

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J. California Cooper

J. California Cooper

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J. California Cooper was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and has received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She lives in California.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
185 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's stories engaging, with one mentioning how it touches on both uncharted and familiar areas. Moreover, the book is easy to read, with one customer completing it in just two days, and customers appreciate its good common sense.

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Story qualityReadabilityKnowledgeEase of reading
11 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer noting how it captures time in its narratives, while another mentions how it touches on both uncharted and familiar aspects of life.

"I love Ms. Cooper's writing.....lots of wisdom...she has a great way of telling a story...." Read more

"...im not a big book reader but i really enjoyed this book. it teaches you life leassons and its diff stories in each chapter...." Read more

"J. California Cooper is a fantastic author. She captures time in her stories for the period you are present." Read more

"Bar none one of my favorite Black Female writers. What a great story tell Ms. Cooper is...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one mentioning it provides simple laughter.

"...This book doesn't disappoint, you'll be entertained, educated, and left feeling mildly upset when you've finished the last page." Read more

"I love the writers style of writing. Relaxing material to read." Read more

"...What a joy to read." Read more

"...Anyone searching for a good cry or simple laughter I highly recommend this book..." Read more

4 customers mention "Knowledge"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's wisdom and good common sense, with one customer noting it contains life lessons.

"...She helps me to know that common sense and logic are still alive and well ...somewhere... and that we all can change if we want... before you get..." Read more

"...This book doesn't disappoint, you'll be entertained, educated, and left feeling mildly upset when you've finished the last page." Read more

"J california cooper has a down south country style - good common sense - love,love her books - makes you take stock of your life" Read more

"...The thing I love best about this book is the little life lessons she puts in it not preachy just real things you can relate to and learn from." Read more

3 customers mention "Ease of reading"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning they finished it in two days.

"I really enjoyed these stories. Very easy reads, easy to follow. Some funny ... page turner !!!!..." Read more

"Easy Reading..." Read more

"Read it in 2 Days!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ladykk1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!!!! They all are!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love Ms. Cooper's writing.....lots of wisdom...she has a great way of telling a story. I have seen myself in so may of her writings through certain characters. She helps me to know that common sense and logic are still alive and well ...somewhere... and that we all can change if we want... before you get too beat up by the world and its many players to see the benefit. She is a breath of WAKE UP!!

    LadyKK1
    One person found this helpful
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  • swnolagirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Soul stirring read!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    J. California Cooper is by far my favorite author. She weaves a story that pulls you in and makes you feel as though you are there. This book doesn't disappoint, you'll be entertained, educated, and left feeling mildly upset when you've finished the last page.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • michellegibson
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    love the book. came just in time for class. im not a big book reader but i really enjoyed this book. it teaches you life leassons and its diff stories in each chapter. not borring at all like i thought it would be.
    One person found this helpful
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  • T. McKinney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I love the writers style of writing. Relaxing material to read.
    Helpful
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  • Brittini
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book to give as a gift.
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  • Smart Shopper
    4.0 out of 5 stars Three thumbs up
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    J. California Cooper is a fantastic author. She captures time in her stories for the period you are present.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sharrod J Stewart
    5.0 out of 5 stars I've read this book about five times
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The thing that I love about EVERY J. California Cooper book is EVERYTHING. Every story in this book give me something to feel or think about and I like that sometimes. It doesn't feel random it makes you feel like this writer has been paying attention to the matters of life all along. What a joy to read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • charles m bowers
    5.0 out of 5 stars I read this book years ago!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Format: Paperback
    I loved all of the short stories in this book. I read one of the stories to my family during one of our gatherings. They were all attentive throughout the story and was full of smiles and comments afterwards. It’s a book I’ll never forget and will reread again and again.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JUSTIFY
    5.0 out of 5 stars J, California Cooper knows how to talk about life ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    J, California Cooper knows how to talk about life and make you smile as you can see I have purchased all her books.
    Report