Colored Television by Danzy Senna is a sharp and humorous novel exploring love, ambition, and racial identity through the lens of a struggling novelist who turns to Hollywood. A Good Morning America Book Club pick, it's a must-read for fans of contemporary cultural comedy.
Introduction:
In Colored Television, bestselling author Danzy Senna delivers a witty and incisive cultural comedy about the intersection of race, identity, and ambition in modern America. This Good Morning America Book Club pick is a satirical take on one woman’s struggles to navigate the world of writing, family, and Hollywood’s racial politics.
Key Takeaways:
A Novel of Ambition and Identity: Jane, a novelist on sabbatical, hopes to finish her epic second book, but when life veers off course, she pivots to Hollywood, leading to a biting commentary on race and the entertainment industry.
A Satirical Look at Success and Failure: Senna uses humor and piercing insight to explore themes of failure, reinvention, and the racial-identity-industrial complex.
A Fast-Paced, Entertaining Read: Colored Television blends sharp dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and thought-provoking social critique in a page-turning narrative.
Book Summary:
Jane’s Big Break?
After years of uncertainty, Jane, a biracial novelist and mother, is house-sitting in the luxurious hills of Los Angeles, giving her the perfect opportunity to complete her second novel—a sprawling, centuries-spanning epic. But despite the ideal setup, things aren’t going according to plan. The pressure of finishing her “mulatto War and Peace” weighs heavily, and Jane begins to feel like the success she longs for may be slipping away.
Turning to Hollywood
Like many writers before her, Jane turns her attention to the bright lights of Hollywood as a backup plan. She lands a meeting with Hampton Ford, a hotshot producer, and together they begin developing a biracial comedy for a major streaming network. At first, it seems like Jane’s fortunes are finally changing—she has a seat at the table, and things are looking up.
But Success is Elusive
As her collaboration with Hampton unfolds, Jane is forced to confront the racial and gender politics of the entertainment industry. While her Hollywood venture starts off promising, it quickly unravels in ways she didn’t expect. Jane’s journey through the world of television reveals just how precarious success can be, especially when identity becomes a marketable commodity.
Humor and Insight
Senna’s Colored Television is a scathing and hilarious exploration of racial identity and the entertainment industry. The novel tackles the complexities of biracial identity with humor, wit, and a critical eye on how race is commodified and sold in American culture. With its sharp dialogue, biting social critique, and relatable protagonist, Colored Television is a must-read for fans of cultural comedy and contemporary fiction.
What Readers Are Saying:
“Danzy Senna’s humor is as sharp as ever, and the way she tackles Hollywood and racial identity had me laughing out loud and cringing in equal measure.”
“A fast-paced, satirical novel that will make you think about success, ambition, and how race is packaged and sold in today’s media.”
Expert Reviews:
*“Funny, foxy, and fleet... The jokes are good, the punches land, the dialogue is tart.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times
*“A laugh-out-loud cultural comedy... This is the New Great American Novel, and Danzy Senna has set the standard.”—LA Times
Conclusion:
Colored Television by Danzy Senna is a brilliant and biting novel that takes a hilarious yet thought-provoking look at race, ambition, and the fickle nature of success. Perfect for readers who enjoy cultural satire with sharp social commentary, this is one book you won’t want to miss.
Available Now at Library Digital Pantheon:
Download Colored Television by Danzy Senna today and dive into this insightful and laugh-out-loud novel. Available in ePub format.