How I Became Hettie Jones

By Hettie Jones,

Book cover of How I Became Hettie Jones

Book description

Greenwich Village in the 1950s was a haven to which young poets, painters, and jazz musicians flocked. Among them was Hettie Cohen, who'd been born into a middle-class Jewish family in Queens and who'd chosen to cross racial barriers to marry the controversial black poet LeRoi Jones. Theirs was a…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked How I Became Hettie Jones as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Hettie Cohen defied the stifling conventions of her middle-class Jewish Queens upbringing to live the life with her husband, the poet LeRoi Jones in a Bowery loft. When the Black Power movement beckoned, he changed his name to Amiri Baraka and left her. Hettie Jones’ memoir brings to life the Village of the late 1950s and 60s, complete with the beats, their women, jazz spots, and the rich literary scene. A little-known gem about a very specific cultural moment in New York, told in a clear, honest voice. 

From Alice's list on terrible, beautiful New York.

Want books like How I Became Hettie Jones?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like How I Became Hettie Jones.

Browse books like How I Became Hettie Jones

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Allen Ginsberg, jazz, and reenwich Village?

Allen Ginsberg 13 books
Jazz 136 books
Reenwich Village 29 books