June - August 2005
 Angel of Harlem
by Kuwana Haulsey
This is the story of Dr. May Edward Chinn, Harlem’s first African American female physician, a remarkable story told in a remarkable manner. The author, Kuwana Haulsey, weaves a true tale using lyrical prose to tell the story of Dr. May Edward Chinn struggling in 1920s Harlem to become the first Black physician in a setting of poverty, racism and sexism. The author does a very good job of presenting a great deal of historical information while giving a personal view of Dr. Chinn as a sensitive, intelligent and caring young girl who takes the bitter and the sweet of what life has to offer by focusing on her goals. Her relationship with her father is the thorn in her side that makes her sometimes question her intentions. Drawn and driven by her inner spirit to help others, it only added to the legacy that was legendary in its time, including her research in cancer detection leading to new techniques in treating cancer in its earliest stages. She would risk her health and safety to attend to the victims of street stabbings and shootings.
The Angel of Harlem is more than a story of love and determination. It touches on the poignancy and purpose of a woman that withstood all odds to allow perseverance to define perfection. The author made a profound difference by taking the reader to different levels of historical content, namely the period of Harlem renown for its artistry and articulation. Here, we are introduced to many legendary figures that play prominently in the context of this tale. She introduces the powerful influence of the late Marcus Garvey, the resilience of Paul Robeson, the poetry of Countee Cullen, and the literati devoted to letters and linguistic fortitude. Along the way there was Langston, Zora, Eubie, and Fats helping to create a wonderful backdrop as she and her talented friends ponder life’s offerings for their creative souls.
I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. It was well written and the story was masterfully woven using lively well-developed characterization depicting lives of the famous to draw parallel to the main character’s plight. The way this story was told, it’s easy to lose yourself in the reading of this novel and to feel that you were right there in Harlem in the 1920s. This is a story of survival and struggle amid the joys of success. There was very little not to like about this novel. I rate it a five star rating and look forward to this author’s next offering. Buy the book where other good books are sold!
Reviewed by Idrissa Uqdah for The Romer Review
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