Tambourines to Glory

Langston Hughes

Mar 2008 · Recorded Books · Narrated by Myra Lucretia Taylor

About this audiobook

Poet, author and playwright Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance in the late 1950s. His writings capture the spirit of black culture as it struggled for recognition and acceptance. Tambourines to Glory is a morality fable illustrating the perpetual fight between good and evil. 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 theatre. But as their congregation grows, a host of misfits enter the scene-some honest, and others who just want a piece of the pie. Featuring a stunning performance by Myra Lucretia Taylor, Tambourines to Glory is a classic of American literature and a must listen for anyone interested in the history of African-American culture.

Ratings and reviews

As an audiobook lover, I can say that this performance is totally as good as it gets. Ms. Taylor delivers a knock-out telling of a great story by one of America's greatest writers. I can't recommend it highly enough. Along with an inspired narration and different voices for each character, Myra Taylor sings like nobody's business, going from sweet to tough and back again, and she nails it every time. This is a tour-de-force presentation; I wish I could share it with everybody out there.

About the author

Langston Hughes, February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967 Langston Hughes, one of the foremost black writers to emerge from the Harlem Renaissance, was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Mo. Hughes briefly attended Columbia University before working numerous jobs including busboy, cook, and steward. While working as a busboy, he showed his poems to American poet Vachel Lindsay, who helped launch his career. He soon obtained a scholarship to Lincoln University and had several works published. Hughes is noted for his depictions of the black experience. In addition to the black dialect, he incorporated the rhythms of jazz and the blues into his poetry. While many recognized his talent, many blacks disapproved of his unflattering portrayal of black life. His numerous published volumes include, "The Weary Blues," "Fine Clothes to the Jew," and "Montage of a Dream Deferred." Hughes earned several awards during his lifetime including: a Guggenheim fellowship, an American Academy of Arts and Letters Grant, and a Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. Langston Hughes died of heart failure on May 22, 1967.