Seduction by Light (Masterplots II: African American Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Al Young
- First Published: 1988
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: The last decades of the twentieth century
- Setting: Southern California
- Principal Characters: Mamie Franklin, Burley Cole, Benjamin (Benjie) Franklin, Harry Silvertone, Theo, Brett Toshimura
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Acting or actors, Twentieth century, California, West, U.S., Spiritual life or spirituality, Death or dying, Fame, Servants, Afterlife, Disasters, Earthquakes, French Revolution, Hollywood, Mass media, Natural disasters, Television or television broadcasting
- Locales: California
The Novel
Seduction by Light is Mamie Franklin’s story of her life and transition to death as she tells it in an exuberant, colloquial style. As if she were speaking in a conversation over coffee between old friends, Mamie often directly addresses the reader: “You must know me well enough by now to know I’m kinda halfway out there mosta the time anyway.” Mamie’s monologue captures the earthy wit and wisdom of the former actress and band singer from Mississippi, who works until her death as a domestic servant for an eccentric Hollywood couple.
The first...
[The entire page is 2444 words long]

