Naylor's writing has such gorgeous life to it, and this book is no different. A tapestry of characters and worlds all brought together into one, the book's claim to being "nothing less than a blues tapestry of America" is heartbreakingly true, and showcases Naylor at her best. This is a difficult one to talk about without giving away the novel's secrets, but in a blend of short stories, character sketches, and novel-form told through a multitude of voices, it is utterly worth reading and rereading, an experience all its own.

Absolutely recommended. ( )

Excellent. ( )

I didn’t like this book at first, and that’s mainly because there’s too much baseball in the first chapter. It’s a language I don’t speak. It’s also a little obscure in the beginning. Even though there was some beautiful writing, I thought about laying the book aside.

The second chapter was breathtaking. I put it down just because it was too intense to read more immediately. And the next day, I picked it up again. And no, there’s no more baseball after the first chapter.

It’s a very surrealistic novel. Bailey’s Café is a way station for people who need a time-out in their lives. It only exists for these people, at this moment, and it can appear anywhere in the world. It’s a strange, magical place, and it’s also a bitter, mournful place, because everybody there has been wounded.

The stories that comprise this novel are the life-stories of those who enter. They are all unique, amazing people, and the writing is hypnotic, musical, haunting – lavish without ever being over-written, ambitious yet colloquial. I loved this book and was glad I let it unfold until its meaning appeared.
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* NO Spoilers were used in the writing of this review! *

Each chapter in this off-beat, touching book introduces a flamboyant character at a personal crossroads; Bailey's Cafe is their symbolic purgatory. Though the characters come from different walks of life, there is something dysfunctional or broken about each of them. Most are products of physical, emotional or spiritual abuse, often tinged by racial discrimination.

In terms of racial issues, this book depicts how deeply prejudice affected the lives of African Americans post WW2, playing a significant role in their circumstances, decisions and ultimate fates on a variety of levels. In my opinion, Jesse's story was the saddest, illustrating the tragic irony when victims of discrimination turn against each other.

Despite covering some heavy material, Naylor imbues each character with a sense of dignity and hope.This book is about survival and overcoming hardships. There are also unexpected humorous touches; the story about Eve helping Jesse kick heroin reads like a hilariously ironic AA parable.

Though it can be confusing due to an esoteric theme (i.e. Bailey's Cafe as Purgatory), this is still a satisfying, informative read. I was sincerely rooting for these characters! ( )

Harcourt, Brace, New York; 1992