The Blue Vein Society: Class and Color within Black America

About the Book

The Blue Vein Society Blue Vein Society President Josh Ryder is all set to announce his engagement to a young fair-skinned beauty when his very dark-skinned wife from slavery suddenly appears searching for her long lost husband. A shocked Ryder is forced to confront his hidden past. No Hidin’ Place A southern sheriff discovers the mulatto he is protecting from the lynch mob is his own son, accused of murdering a Confederate army officer. As the mob closes in, the sheriff is forced to make a painful decision to save his son from being lynched. With amazing speed -- and superb acting -- Kelley's play shifts from light but edged irony, to pain, rage, tenderness and acceptance, underscoring the many nuances of prejudice. Neil Novelli Syracuse Post Standard This reviewer long has felt [Kelley] has a kinship with the late August Wilson. Like the Pulitzer Prize winner, Kelley revels in dealing with African-American history. Joan E. Vadaboncouer Syracuse Post Standard The Blue Vein Society . . . is most certainly about the black experience, but like all good drama, it uses that point of view to talk about the human experience. Ann L. Ryan Albuquerque Journal

About the Author

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