I really loved this historical fiction story that tells the life of Hattie McDaniel, beginning about the time she won an Oscar for her supporting role on the movie Gone with the Wind until her death at the age of 59. She had such an incredible life, as the first Black woman to be at the Oscars and to win. She had so many notable friends. This book portrayed her close with Clark Gable, while having rapport with Bette Davis, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, and fantastic dinner parties with so many more. It also describes long battles with a man named Walter White, who long tried to discredit her.

I found her life fascinating, and so well researched. I also felt like so many things hit too close to home today.

“I am going to have to delete all mentions of racism from the movie before it can be shown anywhere in the Southern box office.” Ch 22

“You’re married to the screen and you’ll sacrifice everything and everybody for a career that doesn’t love you back.” Ch 25

“I took the role of Mammy with pride because she represented the type of womanhood that has built our race, paid for our elaborate houses of worship, and sustained our business, charitable, and improvement organizations.” Ch 31

“I warn you that with success comes much scrutiny.” Ch 38

“But your mother and I understand how people see us and we try our best to just live in the confines of that vision, else we won’t work at all.” Ch 40

“They don’t call me the Queen of Sugar Hill for nothing. I go all out or I don’t go at all.” Ch 57

“There is an opportunity to glorify Negro womanhood. Not the modern, streamlined type of Negro woman, who attends teas and concerts in furs and silks, but the type of Negro of the period that gave us Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Charity Hill.” Historical note