Hattie McDaniel was an amazing woman and led a fascinating life. Not only did she win an Academy Award but she opened many doors for Black people, not just performers. Her life is worthy of book and this one related much that was of interest. The author obviously did her research and included lots of information, but, for me, the book never really came alive.

Hattie McDaniel walked away with an Oscar for her role in Gone With The Wind which should have opened all the doors for roles but instead she was shunned by her own people for not fighting more and still banned by the white studios from getting anything other than a maid or bit character roles. Fight she did for racial equality in the studio, in her segregated Sugar Hill neighborhood and government. Hattie was unlucky in love and never had the long term marriage and houseful of children she longed for. In the Golden Age of Hollywood where your secret (or rumor of one) let out by Hedda Harper could cost you everything Hattie still spoke up for what she believed in. Even her good friend and chief supporter Clark Gable could not break the racial ceiling in Hollywood. Much praise to the author who did justice to Hattie McDaniel's incredible story that has until now remained mostly ignored. Recommended for readers of those stars who suffered from inequity in Hollywood such as THE BRIGHTEST STAR by Gail Tsukiyama or Jamie Ford's THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

"The Queen of Sugar Hill" is a now historical fiction novel based on Hattie McDaniel's life. She was famous for her role as "Mammy" in the classic blockbuster, Civil War set "Gone with the Wind" movie, for which she became the first woman of color to win an Oscar. Sadly, she really struggled even after that - men, discrimination, type-casting, red-lining & more all factor into her story. I really enjoyed learning more about her & I recommend this book. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC, my pleasure to review it!

I received a copy of "The Queen of Sugar Hill" by ReShonda Tate from NetGalley. The author writes this book as fiction but based on the life of Hattie McDaniel. The book is seen through Hattie McDaniel's narrative. Although this book is fiction it includes some real life things that were in the Oscar Winning actresses life.
The book starts in 1940. It is the night of the Oscars and Hattie McDaniel is nominated for best supporting actress for her role as "Mammy" in Gone With the Wind. she becomes the first African American woman to win an Oscar.
This book starts from that night and ends at her death in 1952. The author gives Hattie McDaniel a voice of what she could be thinking over these 12 years. She has faced many obstacles. White people see her as "mammy" and expects her to continue in the same kind of roles. She also is pressured and judged by fellow black people who hate the "mammy" and maid type roles she is force to perform. She is also unlucky in love. Over her life she is married four times. The first marriage ends when the love of her life dies. Her other husbands in her life only use her and treat her badly. she also is treated badly when she is the first black person to move into the all white "Sugar hill" neighborhood and she is pressured to move. I think the author has written a pretty good book on what it must have been like for the talented actress. She did a lot of research on the actress. I enjoyed reading the book but also found myself feeling outraged for the obstacles that Hattie Mcdaniel faced in her life. I would give this book a 4.5.

I’m a ReShonda Tate (Billingsley) fan, so I’m most always going to give anything she writes a chance. When I read the synopsis I was even more interested in the story because—oddly enough—Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite movies. I have to admit that when I began the story I was a little bit disappointed, as I thought the story would begin with her youth, but it started very much into her adult life. Despite the initial disappointment, I decided to keep reading and I’m very glad that I did. This was such a great weaving of fact and fiction. Many times I found myself reaching for my phone so that I could look up different people, places or experiences. It made the book come alive for me and I really enjoyed that aspect. The writing style was very engaging and easy to follow—a hallmark of this author’s work. All in all, a really good and informative read.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I knew very little about Hattie McDaniel's life, except for the fact that she earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone With the Wind (and was the first African-American actor to win that award). Although I was aware that there was strong backlash against the movie from the Black press at the time, I didn't know the extent to which McDaniel battled with both white condescension and Black criticism, nor of her turbulent private life. Such a complex life story is ripe for historical fiction, and ReShonda Tate handles her complicated history and legacy with care and compassion.

I did feel that there was a bit too much description and "info-dumping" in the beginning (my one criticism), but as I settled into the story, I was captivated by McDaniel's voice (Tate writes in first person narrative). I have seen Gone With the Wind many times; as a white middle grade student in small-town Louisiana in the 1990s, it was actually shown in my history class, a fact which I abhor (and struggle with its hold on me). After reading this, I rewatched the iconic "stair scene" with Mammy and Melanie (in which Mammy tells Melanie abut the aftermath of Bonnie Blue's death); a magnificent scene from McDaniel. After reading this compelling novel, I have a newfound appreciation for Hattie McDaniel, and for her Black actor colleagues of the time, who faced unimagineable circumstances and choices that we cannot understand, as well as the Black activists and journalists who spoke out against the blatant stereotypes depicted in entertainment.


Many thanks to William Morrow/William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for a digital review in exchange for an honest review.

What a remarkable book. Clear, and engaging historical fiction. For anyone interested in African American history, or literature featuring African American characters, this is the book for you. I was throughly engaged in this telling of the life of Hattie McDaniel. A figure whose place in history should be elevated. Beautiful read.