Description

Book Synopsis
“The people in these photographs had no walls up. They just accepted me and permitted me to take their photographs without any self-consciousness.” —Roy DeCarava

The Sweet Flypaper of Life is a “poem” about ordinary people, about teenagers around a jukebox, about children at an open fire hydrant, about riding the subway alone at night, about picket lines and artist work spaces. This renowned, life-affirming collaboration between artist Roy DeCarava and writer Langston Hughes honors in words and pictures what the authors saw, knew, and felt deeply about life in their city.

Hughes’s heart-warming description of Harlem in the late 1940s and early 1950s is seen through the eyes of one grandmother, Sister Mary Bradley. As she guides the reader through the lives of those around her, we imagine the babies born, families in struggle, children yet flourishing. We experience the sights and sounds of Harlem as seen through her

The Sweet Flypaper of Life

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    A Paperback / softback by Roy DeCarava, Langston Hughes, Sherry Turner DeCarava

    £16.16

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    RRP £17.95 – you save £1.79 (9%)

    Order before 4pm on Tuesday for delivery by Thu 5 Nov 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher David Zwirner
      Published 6 September 2018
      ISBN-13 9780999843819
      978-0999843819
      ISBN-10 0999843818
      Also in:
      Non Fiction Art & Photography Individual photographers Politics, Philosophy & Society Ethnic studies / Ethnicity

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      “The people in these photographs had no walls up. They just accepted me and permitted me to take their photographs without any self-consciousness.” —Roy DeCarava

      The Sweet Flypaper of Life is a “poem” about ordinary people, about teenagers around a jukebox, about children at an open fire hydrant, about riding the subway alone at night, about picket lines and artist work spaces. This renowned, life-affirming collaboration between artist Roy DeCarava and writer Langston Hughes honors in words and pictures what the authors saw, knew, and felt deeply about life in their city.

      Hughes’s heart-warming description of Harlem in the late 1940s and early 1950s is seen through the eyes of one grandmother, Sister Mary Bradley. As she guides the reader through the lives of those around her, we imagine the babies born, families in struggle, children yet flourishing. We experience the sights and sounds of Harlem as seen through her

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