Barbara Neely
Encyclopedia
Barbara Neely is an African-American novelist, short story
writer and activist who writes murder mysteries. Her first novel, Blanche on the Lam
(1992), introduced the protagonist Blanche White, a middle-aged mother, domestic worker and amateur detective.
community in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
. She attended a Roman Catholic elementary school and was the only child in her class of Pennsylvania German dialect (popularly known as Pennsylvania Dutch) students to speak English fluently and was the only student of African American descent to attend her elementary and high school. In 1971 she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was awarded a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh
.
During a trip to San Francisco in 1978, Neely witnessed a woman dancing in front of a band which she says inspired her to take her work in activism even farther. Neely stated, "she [the dancing woman] started pointing to people, and when she turned and pointed to me, it seemed to me that she was saying, 'Do it today, because today is all you have.'" Soon after, Neely had her first piece of fiction, a short story called "Passing the Word", published in Essence magazine. Neely moved to North Carolina and began writing for Southern Exposure as well as producing various shows for the African News Service. Her involvement in activism continued with becoming director of a YWCA branch, executive director of Women for Economic Justice, cofounder of Women of Color for Reproductive Freedom, and host of "Commonwealth Journal" on Boston Radio.
(1992), followed by Blanche Among the Talented Teeth (1994), Blanche Cleans Up (1998), and Blanche Passes Go (2000). Most notable about Barbra Neely’s heroine Blanche is both her physical appearance as well as her occupation, a heavy-set, dark-skinned Black woman who works as a maid. Blanch is proud of her work, and does not let it get in the way of her independence and proud personality. This immediately sets her apart from the typical protagonist. Other notable characteristics of Blanch are her curiosity, and her ability to piece together clues in order to find figure out mysteries.
. She used her as a model of what she wanted to become. She saw what Morrison did with the experiences of black woman to tell stories of ordinary people and tried to mimic the same style. At first it was a short story but her editor told her it should be a longer piece of work. The stories of Blanche White contain themes and issues that go beyond mystery and into political and social commentary. Blanche allows Neely to explore the female beauty. There are other issues that Neely is able to tackle through her writing - such as violence against women, racism, class boundaries, and sexism. Barbara Neely is quoted as saying, "That as a feminist mystery writer it is not enough to create strong women, and that maybe the term 'feminist mystery writer' is being used too loosely."
With her character of Blanche, Neely wanted to be able to write something about race and class that was funny. Blanch and her charming personality, along with Neely’s messages, are at the center of the her mystery novels’ plot lines. According to Rosemary Hathaway, Neely creates Blanche’s character to not only take on the issues raised, but to also be the issues. Neely gives Blanche a double-consciousness and when thrown into tough situations, “Blanche's detective work enacts more of a triple- or even a quadruple-consciousness.
Barbara Neely's work reinforces her beliefs about race and class in America. As Ann Collette explains, “the keep-it real ethic of Neely’s writing is a natural outgrowth of the author’s down-to-earth nature and her fierce commitment to political activism, her profession before she turned to writing full-time”.
for best first novel (1992), an Anthony Award
for first best novel (1993), Go on Girl Award from Black Women’s Reading Club for the best debut novel, and a Macavity Award
for first best mystery novel (1993). Neely also won two awards for her activism. They include "Community Works Social Action Award for Leadership and Activism for Women's Rights and Economic Justice" and "Fighting for Women's Voices Award" from the Coalition for Basic Human Needs.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
writer and activist who writes murder mysteries. Her first novel, Blanche on the Lam
Blanche on the Lam
Blanche on the Lam is a mystery novel by author Barbara Neely. The book won the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery...
(1992), introduced the protagonist Blanche White, a middle-aged mother, domestic worker and amateur detective.
Early life and education
Barbara Neely, born in 1941 was the oldest of three children born to Ann and Bernard Neely who lived in a rural Pennsylvania DutchPennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch refers to immigrants and their descendants from southwestern Germany and Switzerland who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries...
community in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,477 at the 2010 census, a 4.2% increase from the 2000 count of 24,461...
. She attended a Roman Catholic elementary school and was the only child in her class of Pennsylvania German dialect (popularly known as Pennsylvania Dutch) students to speak English fluently and was the only student of African American descent to attend her elementary and high school. In 1971 she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was awarded a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
Activism
After earning her degree, she became thoroughly involved in local activism and created a community based housing program for female felons in an area of Pittsburgh called Shady Side. The program was developed through her position with Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections and was the state's first community based correctional center for women.During a trip to San Francisco in 1978, Neely witnessed a woman dancing in front of a band which she says inspired her to take her work in activism even farther. Neely stated, "she [the dancing woman] started pointing to people, and when she turned and pointed to me, it seemed to me that she was saying, 'Do it today, because today is all you have.'" Soon after, Neely had her first piece of fiction, a short story called "Passing the Word", published in Essence magazine. Neely moved to North Carolina and began writing for Southern Exposure as well as producing various shows for the African News Service. Her involvement in activism continued with becoming director of a YWCA branch, executive director of Women for Economic Justice, cofounder of Women of Color for Reproductive Freedom, and host of "Commonwealth Journal" on Boston Radio.
Publishing career
Barbara Neely published her first short story, "Passing the Word" (1981) in the magazine Essence. Her Blanche White novels followed a decade later beginning with Blanche on the LamBlanche on the Lam
Blanche on the Lam is a mystery novel by author Barbara Neely. The book won the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery...
(1992), followed by Blanche Among the Talented Teeth (1994), Blanche Cleans Up (1998), and Blanche Passes Go (2000). Most notable about Barbra Neely’s heroine Blanche is both her physical appearance as well as her occupation, a heavy-set, dark-skinned Black woman who works as a maid. Blanch is proud of her work, and does not let it get in the way of her independence and proud personality. This immediately sets her apart from the typical protagonist. Other notable characteristics of Blanch are her curiosity, and her ability to piece together clues in order to find figure out mysteries.
Literary style
Barbara Neely enjoyed a wide range of authors such as P.D. James Chester Himes, and Walter Mosley but the one author that inspired her the most was Toni MorrisonToni Morrison
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved...
. She used her as a model of what she wanted to become. She saw what Morrison did with the experiences of black woman to tell stories of ordinary people and tried to mimic the same style. At first it was a short story but her editor told her it should be a longer piece of work. The stories of Blanche White contain themes and issues that go beyond mystery and into political and social commentary. Blanche allows Neely to explore the female beauty. There are other issues that Neely is able to tackle through her writing - such as violence against women, racism, class boundaries, and sexism. Barbara Neely is quoted as saying, "That as a feminist mystery writer it is not enough to create strong women, and that maybe the term 'feminist mystery writer' is being used too loosely."
With her character of Blanche, Neely wanted to be able to write something about race and class that was funny. Blanch and her charming personality, along with Neely’s messages, are at the center of the her mystery novels’ plot lines. According to Rosemary Hathaway, Neely creates Blanche’s character to not only take on the issues raised, but to also be the issues. Neely gives Blanche a double-consciousness and when thrown into tough situations, “Blanche's detective work enacts more of a triple- or even a quadruple-consciousness.
Barbara Neely's work reinforces her beliefs about race and class in America. As Ann Collette explains, “the keep-it real ethic of Neely’s writing is a natural outgrowth of the author’s down-to-earth nature and her fierce commitment to political activism, her profession before she turned to writing full-time”.
Awards
For Blanche on the Lam Neely received an Agatha AwardAgatha Award
The Agatha Awards are literary awards for mystery and crime writers who write via the same method as Agatha Christie...
for best first novel (1992), an Anthony Award
Anthony Award
The Anthony Awards are literary awards for mystery writers presented at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention since 1986. The awards are named for Anthony Boucher , one of the founders of the Mystery Writers of America....
for first best novel (1993), Go on Girl Award from Black Women’s Reading Club for the best debut novel, and a Macavity Award
Macavity Awards
The Macavity Awards are a literary award for mystery writers. Nominated and voted upon annually by the members of the Mystery Readers International, the award is named for the "mystery cat" of T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The award is given in four categories -- best novel,...
for first best mystery novel (1993). Neely also won two awards for her activism. They include "Community Works Social Action Award for Leadership and Activism for Women's Rights and Economic Justice" and "Fighting for Women's Voices Award" from the Coalition for Basic Human Needs.