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  • for colored girls who have considered suicide - when the rainbow is enuf

  • By: Ntozake Shange
  • Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton
  • Length: 1 hr and 58 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (434 ratings)

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for colored girls who have considered suicide - when the rainbow is enuf

By: Ntozake Shange
Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton
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Publisher's summary

This groundbreaking work of literature was originally written as an extended choreopoem, debuted on Broadway in 1976, and is an upcoming star-studded movie. For the first time, it is brought to live in audio in this powerful and moving performance by one of the film's stars, acclaimed actress Thandie Newton.

Playwright, poet, and novelist Ntozake Shange originally composed for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf in as a mesmerizingly original choreopoem. The New York Post called it "rich with the author's special voice: by turns bitter, funny, ironic, and savage; fiercely honest and personal." Now a new audiobook, it chronicles the interconnected lives of a group of women facing shatteringly difficult issues, and evokes the indomitable power of enduring hope and joy.

Thandie Newton, from the movies Crash, The Pursuit of Happyness, and W., captures each emotion with heartbreaking honesty in a fearless, passionate, and inspiring performance of the author's vivid and lyrical language. The New York Times says "Ntozake Shange writes with such exquisite care and beauty that anyone can relate to her message."

©1975, 1976, 1977 Ntozake Shange (P)2010 Audible, Inc
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Critic reviews

"These poems and prose selections are...rich with the author's special voice: by turns bitter, funny, ironic, and savage; fiercely honest and personal." ( New York Post)
"Extraordinary and wonderful" (Clive Barnes, The New York Times)
"Overwhelming...It's joyous and alive, affirmative in the face of despair." (Douglas Watt, New York Daily News)
"Thandie Newton’s narration works well with the introduction. Her voice echoes the weight and emphasis of Shange’s words…Newton creates distinct voices for each part." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about for colored girls who have considered suicide - when the rainbow is enuf

Average customer ratings
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For Colored Girls

👊🏾 I need to do more for my black sisters. This brought me back to when I wrote poetry so will do that.

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The story that hits your soul

I loved all of this book. The emotions were so raw. It was such a powerful read.

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Awesome Experience

I enjoyed the book, I was also cast for the production and played the lady in Orange which Ntozake herself played in the broadway version of the show in 1976. During our shows Ntzokake passed away and brung new meaning to our remaining presentations.

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3 people found this helpful

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Breathtaking

This was truly amazing. It felt like love, pain, and liberation all at once. I wish I would’ve read this sooner.

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00:02:25 and I am LOVE IT!

I just began listening and I love it, I love her voice and the energy she adds to the words. I will update my review when I finish listening the book.
****Toodles!**

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

I am not into poems and only bought this as Tyler Perry used this as a basis for his movie. Thandie did a great job bringing this work to life. Easy to follow! Entertaining.

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such a powerful read

This book empowered me in so many ways, I loved every min of it. This was much better than the movie

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Years

After all these years this book is still a great read I would recommend it .
thank you

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Bone chilling.

I love this screen play... it is overwhelmingly emotional. Each character's story comes thru and touches you in a way you can understand and relate. Very powerful.

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"Somebody almost walked off wid All my stuff"

Let me just say that, that chapter was felt on spiritual level in regards giving oneself to another and not receiving the love that was being given to that person. That pain, the energy and the emotions were felt in her voice. A play on words demonstrating how they take not only tanigible items but also intangible items that make up the person you are as a colord girl but guess what, WE WANT IT ALL BACK. Truly worth every single minute. Take a listen my BLACK QUEENS.

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