50 pages • 1 hour read
Pearl CleageWhat Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage, Ava Johnson, a Black woman living with HIV, returns to her small hometown of Idlewild, Michigan, after leaving her life in Atlanta. Once there, she reconnects with her sister Joyce, falls in love with an old acquaintance, Eddie, and becomes involved with a women’s community group, transforming her outlook on her future. This novel includes depictions of gun violence, child abuse, substance addiction, sexual violence, and death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pearl Cleage's What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day is lauded for its compelling protagonist and vivid depiction of small-town life. Critics appreciate Cleage's insightful exploration of heavy themes like HIV and racism while maintaining a sense of hope. Some note the narrative can be predictable. Overall, a powerful and emotional read.
Who Should Read What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day?
Readers who enjoy What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage typically appreciate heartfelt, realistic narratives about personal transformation and community issues. Fans of Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale or Alice Walker's The Color Purple may find this book particularly engaging due to its strong female characters and exploration of social themes.