A collection of eight short stories by one of America's most respected black woman writers. 'These stories are jazzy, clubby, folksy, small towny, populist, perky, and if you don't like them you must be in an absolutely unshakable bad mood...Halfway between gossip and fairy tales, brimming with faith and high spirits, 'The Matter is Life' clues us in on the lives of black women. Buy it. I loved it.' - Los Angeles Times