More than a memoir of friendship and first love My Soul Looks Back is a carefully crafted, intimately understood homage to a bygone era and the people that made it so remarkable. The book is framed by Harris' relationship with Sam Floyd, a fellow professor at Queens College, who introduced her to Baldwin. Harris describes her role as theater critic for the New York Amsterdam News and editor at then burgeoning Essence magazine star-studded parties in the South of France drinks at Mikell's, a hip West Side club and the simple joy these extraordinary people took in each other's company. Harris paints evocative portraits of her illustrious friends: Baldwin as he read aloud an early draft of If Beale Street Could Talk, Angelou cooking in her California kitchen, and Morrison relaxing at Baldwin's house in Provence. My Soul Looks Back is her paean to that fascinating social circle and the depth of their shared commitment to activism, intellectual engagement, and each other. Harris debated, celebrated, and danced her way from the jazz clubs of the Manhattan’s West Side to the restaurants of the Village, living out her buoyant youth alongside the great minds of the dayluminaries like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. Harris debated, celebrated, and danced her way from the jazz clubs of the Manhattan's West Side to the restaurants of the Village, living out her buoyant youth alongside the great minds of the day-luminaries like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. In the Technicolor glow of the early seventies, Jessica B. 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Where: Museum of Food and Drinkħ1 Price: $10 Buy tickets/get more info now See other events in these categories:In the technicolor glow of the early seventies, Jessica B. Join us for a one-of-a-kind look at Jessica’s life, including her friendships with Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison, as well as the recipes, hallmark meals, and musical playlists that constituted the smells, tastes, and sounds of a bohemian city lost to time.Įvent to be followed by a book signing and informal reception with light refreshments. Taylor for an intimate conversation on Harris’s seminal years in 1970s New York City. Harris joins Brooklyn-based food writer and activist Nicole A. Harris Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins 4.6 (301 ratings) Try for 0. To mark the release of her captivating memoir, My Soul Looks Back (on sale May 9, Scribner), leading food scholar and award-winning writer Jessica B. My Soul Looks Back A Memoir By: Jessica B.

My soul looks back jessica harris