As part of the research for my book, I read Nella Larsen’s novel Quicksand. She was a Harlem Renaissance writer with links to Denmark. I wanted to read it because it is another account of a black woman’s experience of living in Denmark, albeit in a different time, and I wanted to see her take on it. I enjoyed every minute of the book. It’s great writing.
Though I was not looking, I was delighted to find a reference to hair. I couldn’t not share!
“Heaven forbid”, answered Helga fervently, “that I should ever again want work in the South! I hate it.” And fell silent, wondering for the hundredth time just what form of vanity it was that had induced an intelligent girl like Margaret Creighton to turn what was probably nice live crinkly hair, perfectly suited to her smooth dark skin and agreeable round features, into a dead straight, greasy, ugly mass.”
This was written in the 1920’s! is that not cool?!
