In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women

In Love & Difficulty: Stories of Black Women
"In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women" is a collection of 13 narratives composed by Alice Walker and published in 1973. This powerful anthology digs deep into the lives of Black women, and through expressive storytelling, it recounts their struggles, events, and missions for love, respect, and survival.

1. Roselily
"Roselily" chronicles the life of a young woman who fights with her mixed sensations about her approaching marital relationship to a Muslim man. Born into hardship in rural Mississippi, Roselily imagine a better life in Chicago, however frets about losing her cultural identity and roots to her new partner's stringent beliefs. Walker's tale poignantly explores the complexity of love, identity, and change.

2. Actually, Doesn't Crime Pay?
The lead character, Imabelle, is a meek, abused partner who discovers to defend herself after her spouse brings house a white lady, intending to move her into their home. In the end, Imabelle discovers her power and finds that, certainly, "crime" has its rewards.

3. Her Sweet Jerome
"Her Sweet Jerome" is the story of a faithful wife, named Muriel, who refuses to acknowledge her partner's cheating with a girl who is continuously in and out of their home. Muriel eventually decides to take matters into her own hands, and in the process, finds faith and redemption.

4. The Child Who Favored Daughter
This poignant tale unveils the cycle of abuse and damaged relationships in between moms and dads and children passed down through generations. The protagonist's dad ends up being jealous upon understanding the bond in between his other half and his youngest daughter and starts to beat them both. The mother, in turn, is duplicitous in her actions. The story illustrates the complexities of love, abuse, and relationships.

5. The Revenge of Hannah Kemhuff
When a bad Black female named Hannah Kemhuff is denied much-needed food by a white grocer, she invests the rest of her life seeking revenge. Her haunting anger culminates in her choice to have actually a curse put upon the grocer and his family, exposing her deep desires for justice and retribution.

6. The Welcome Table
"The Welcome Table" follows the journey of an old Black woman who comes to a white-only church and takes her seat among the congregation. In spite of being treated with outright bigotry and prejudice, her unwavering spirit and faith makes her victorious in the end.

7. To Hell with Dying
This story draws out the deeply rooted powerlessness many Black ladies feel, but also celebrates the strength found in the love for one's neighborhood. It tells the tale of a man called Mr. Sweet, understood for his near-death experiences, and the unique bond he shows his neighborhood. He eventually discovers strength in their love.

8. Strong Horse Tea
"Strong Horse Tea" describes the life of an exhausted Black female who turns to a local conjure lady to conserve her passing away infant. Regardless of a lack of success the very first time, the woman finds strength in her belief in the conjure female and her horse tea.

9. Entertaining God
Alice Walker presents a tale of a female who struggles with her spiritual doubts and guilt. She experiences two strange complete strangers, who she believes may be a screening of her faith. This eventually leads her to rediscover her strength and spirituality.

10. The Diary of an African Nun
"The Diary of an African Nun" showcases the internal disputes faced by a young Black woman when she ends up being a nun. She concerns her faith, her loneliness, and her understanding of love.

11. The Flowers
A coming-of-age story of a young girl called Myop who discovers the severe realities of life, specifically the prejudice and ruthlessness versus Black people.

12. We Drink the Wine in France
The story revolves around a Black American lady who transfers to France in search of love and a much better life. Nevertheless, her dreams rapidly disappear as she comes across a brand-new form of racism in her adopted country.

13. Everyday Use
"Everyday Use" brings to light the generational divides regarding cultural heritage and self-identity. The lead character is a Black mother who navigates the conflicts and expectations of her 2 daughters, one who embraces their heritage and another who desires to move beyond it.

Alice Walker's "In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women" difficulties social standards, highlights the strength and determination of Black ladies, and offers a variety of point of views on love, relationships, and self-discovery. The collection stays a vital work in the canon of Black feminist literature.