J. California Cooperová se nejprve proslavila jako dramatička. Autorka sedmnácti her byla v roce 1978 jmenována Černošskou dramatičkou roku. Právě její divadelní tvorba upoutala pozornost uznávané básnířky a romanopiskyně Alice Walkerové. Povzbuzena Walkerovou, aby své oblíbené vypravěčské schopnosti přenesla do beletrie, napsala Cooperová v roce 1984 svou první sbírku povídek. Tato sbírka, nazvaná „bohatá na moudrost a vhled“ a „kniha, kterou stojí za přečtení“, představila Cooperové typický styl: její intimní a energické vyprávění, sympatické, i když někdy problematické postavy a hluboká morální poselství, která se skrývají za zdánlivě jednoduchými příběhy. Další dvě sbírky povídek následovaly v závěsu za její první.
Exuberant tales within this collection explore the mystery of life and the challenges of fate, showcasing characters who experience a range of emotions from awe to confusion. J. California Cooper's storytelling captures the resilience and vitality of her characters, emphasizing their journey through life's complexities. The narratives celebrate the power of existence, making each story a testament to human experience and the wonders it holds.
From the beloved author of Family and A Piece of Mine comes a dazzling new collection of stories featuring ordinary women who discover that love sometimes comes when you least expect it.Vinnie is an overworked and self-sacrificing single mother who gets a second chance at love and independence, in "The Eagle Flies." In "A Shooting Star" a happily married mother of two laments the fate of her beautiful friend Lorene, whose naivete about desire has deadly consequences. In "A Filet of Soul," Luella's luck soon changes when her mother leaves her a modest inheritance, but not as soon as she initially imagines. And in "The Lost and Found," Irene confronts her womanizing boyfriend with the one piece of information that will bring him to his knees. Bursting with earthy wisdom and humor, these warmly engaging tales are a testament to Cooper's gifts as a storyteller.
In this wise, beguiling, and beautiful novel set in the era of the Civil War, award-winning playwright and author J. California Cooper paints a haunting portrait of a woman named Always and four generations of her African-American family.