While she worked full-time as an editor at Random House and raised two sons, she began writing her first novel, The Bluest Eye. ... Years later, when her oldest daughter Hannah confronts Eva about Plum's death and asks if Eva ever loved her children or ever played with them, Eva's response is typical of the strong black woman: "I'm talkin' 'bout 18 and 95 when I set in that house five days with you and Pearl and Plum and three beets, you snake-eyed ungrateful hussy. ...

• Word Count: 2614
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School