The Queen of Sugar Hill Audiobook By ReShonda Tate cover art

The Queen of Sugar Hill

A Novel of Hattie McDaniel

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The Queen of Sugar Hill

By: ReShonda Tate
Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman
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About this listen

As seen on The TODAY Show!

Bestselling author ReShonda Tate presents a fascinating fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, one of Hollywood’s most prolific but woefully underappreciated stars—and the first Black person ever to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in the critically acclaimed classic film Gone With the Wind.

It was supposed to be the highlight of her career, the pinnacle for which she’d worked all her life. And as Hattie McDaniel took the stage in 1940 to claim an honor that would make her the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, she tearfully took her place in history. Between personal triumphs and tragedies, heartbreaking losses, and severe setbacks, this historic night of winning best supporting actress for her role as the sassy Mammy in the controversial movie Gone With the Wind was going to be life-changing. Or so she thought.

Months after winning the award, not only did the Oscar curse set in where Hattie couldn’t find work, but she found herself thrust in the middle of two worlds—Black and White—and not being welcomed in either. Whites only saw her as Mammy and Blacks detested the demeaning portrayal. As the NAACP waged an all-out war against Hattie and actors like her, the emotionally conflicted actor found herself struggling daily.

Through it all, Hattie continued her fight to pave a path for other Negro actors, while focusing on war efforts, fighting housing discrimination, and navigating four failed marriages. Luckily, she had a core group of friends to help her out—from Clark Gable to Louise Beavers to Ruby Berkley Goodwin and Dorothy Dandridge.

The Queen of Sugar Hill brings to life the powerful story of one woman who was driven by many passions—ambition, love, sex, family, friendship, and equality. In re-creating Hattie’s story, ReShonda Tate delivers an unforgettable novel of resilience, dedication, and determination—about what it takes to achieve your dreams—even when everything—and everyone—is against you.

©2024 ReShonda Tate (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
African American Biographical Fiction Celebrity Fiction Inspiring
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What listeners say about The Queen of Sugar Hill

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The Story I Never Knew

The author and Narrator has done an amazing job capturing the life of Hattie McDaniels. The story held my attention, and the author’s creativity is absolutely incredible! I truly appreciate her work and extensive research to create this masterpiece. Another reminder of what my ancestors endured to allow the freedoms I have today. This story fills my heart with gratitude.

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8 people found this helpful

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The feeling that you were there in the book.

This was an educational read for me, unfortunately it seems though some progress has been made for Black Actors to be treated equally in Hollywood, disparities still exist.

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strength & depth of individual, shame of a nation

Wtrength & depth of individual, shame of a nation. Glad I found this book. One that will surely stick with me.

At least 1 spoiler not fully explored....


....spoiler alert....

...but wth?! The NAACP focusing in on an actress based on being "a light skinned negro"?? All while belittling the true accomplishes of a dark skinned humorist actress?

Another whole layer of shame in our nation....

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Great Book

What a beautiful accounting of her life. This book was captivating. Held my interest from beginning to end. Excellent narration. I hate her last husband.

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A Steady Stream Cuts Through Granite

At a time when most Black women could only be maids, she was berated by her own including the NAACP, for playing one - the only film role she was ever repeatedly offered - and yet she advanced the Black voice & won major victories.

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4 people found this helpful

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Great Story about a Great Woman

while the story was embellished it was well told and captured the time with its morays well.

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Excellent writing

I truly enjoyed this read, thank you!
Your ability to transcend the reader throughout the story was delightful. IMAGERY was excellent!

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No Breaks

I loved how this story pulled me in. I thought I'd power through cause it was for my book club, but I couldn't stop listening and finished it in less than 2 days! She just couldn't catch a break, it was heartbreaking and she was SO talented! It made me want to go watch her movies.

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Thoroughly researched and written!

There is a whole lot to unpack in the life of Hattie McDaniel and ReShonda Tate took the time to do the research then synthesized that information into a book that kept my attention until I finished it!

A lot of personal information about Hattie was organized in a way that made it digestable in this book format.

I was shaking my head the entire time I was reading the book because Academy Award winning Hattie McDaniel's experiences with racism mirrored my own southern roots family's experiences.

Every Negro/Colored person went through the same Jim Crow system across this nation. Our elders shielded us by not talking about the racist acts they constantly endured and how it weighed them down and wore them out.

We need to be reminded of how very difficult life was during Jim Crow and why every WIN against it helped to usher in the Civil Rights Movement. It really is all related, we just need to connect the dots for this present generation so they can tap into the urgency of the times we're living in and truly understand why we can't go backwards!

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Hattie McDaniel

I loved this biographical fiction. Prior to listening and reading the physical book, I had not been introduced to Hattie McDaniel and her contributions in the arts.

Hattie reminds me of a strong Black woman who simply did what she needed to do to survive. Decisions she made were what she felt was the best decision at that time.

I connected with the characters and at times I yelled, screamed even cried. I hate many of the cards that Hattie was dealt, but she taught us how to make the best out of the hand you are dealt.

This is a must read!!!!

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