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Tambourines to Glory

By: Langston Hughes
Narrated by: Myra Taylor
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Publisher's summary

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 theater. But as their congregation grows, a host of misfits enter the scene - some honest, but others who just want a piece of the pie.
©1958 Langston Hughes (P)2007 Recorded Books
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What listeners say about Tambourines to Glory

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Wonderful!!!!

I truly enjoyed listening to this book, Tambourines to Glory. Being a product of the fifties, One can enjoy the Vernacular of that era.

Glenn Caffey

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Witty, simple wisdom

I enjoyed the dialogue and characters. It is a solid, simple story, worthwhile, enjoyable. The characters have stuck with me - good to read Langston Hughes and appreciate the period

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Amazing!!

This novel by Langston Hughes was sooooo good!! It had great underlying life lessons that people can learn from!! I highly recommend reading it!!

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Nice timepiece

Worth the listen if you love Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. Well performed and easily takes you to the era in which it was written

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Tambourines to Glory

Simplistic and straight to the point. The narrator breathes color and life into this tale. Excellent performance and stellar singing.

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Another gem!!

I throughly enjoyed this short story from Mr. Hughes. So much richness and details that bring me back to my own days in the church and memories. This one kept me glued to the headphones at every quiet moment. Highly recommended for your own quiet times, or that 5 hour flight!! Enjoy!!

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An amazing spiritual story, well performed!

Having spent a season of my life in similar churches I identified with the quiet spiritual character who is vexed by moral pollution. There is something wonderful about a moral and spiritual life, and those that trample on that....it was a good story. I loved the singing. I loved the poetry of it!

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Outstanding Narration

This story is timeless. It describes the light and shadowy elements within any society and offers hope that the former will prevail from their conflict.

Hughes masterfully gives dimension to distinct characters who interact in a realistic, yet strained way. He adds to that symbolism and foreshadow, which keep the reader/listener engaged throughout the telling.

More still, Myra Taylor's narration is marvelous. Her singing is wonderful, and she expertly transitions to and from it with remarkable grace. Between the harmony portions of the story, Taylor voices life into the characters and expresses each personality through their respective dialogue.

All together, this is a fine presentation.

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