It Was the Way She Said It

Short Stories, Essays, and Wisdom

De: Terry McMillan, Kristine Bell - editor, Ishmael Reed - introduction

Narrado por: Robin Miles, Christopher Grant

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale comes a remarkable, career-spanning collection of short fiction and essays about love, aging, culture and all the things in between.

For the first time, a single volume brings together renowned author Terry McMillan’s previously published short fiction and nonfiction pieces, as well as never-before-seen works.

Before McMillan found success as a novelist in the early 1990s, she published provocative, boundary-pushing short stories, capturing the struggles and triumphs of Black life in America with vitality and honesty, from the workaday factory man’s malaise in “The End” to the cast-aside lover’s resolve in “Touching” to the elderly woman’s wiles in “Ma’Dear.” McMillan’s inimitable voice bravely explores the dark corners of human relationships with compassion, humor, and nuance. This collection also features five unpublished stories that reveal how she wrestled with controversial topics rarely addressed in short fiction, from domestic abuse in “Mama, Take Another Step” to extreme poverty in “Can’t Close My Eyes to It.”

Whether she’s revealing life lessons, pontificating about aging, recalling her sources of inspiration, or laying bare the beginnings of her life as a writer, McMillan approaches every piece with enduring candor, wit, and fearlessness.

Devoted fans and new audiences alike will be delighted to discover these treasures spanning McMillan’s long, groundbreaking career. Indeed, it wasn’t only what Terry McMillan has said that made her so beloved . . . it was the way she said it.

©2025 Terry McMillan (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The best part of reading this entertaining collection of published and unpublished fiction, sketches, and nonfiction is the sheer delight of immersing yourself in the works of a writer who has plenty to say and has never been afraid to say it. . . . An entertaining reminder of McMillan’s storytelling abilities and unflinching honesty.”—Kirkus Review, starred review

“McMillan is a sharp writer who never fails to give readers memorable, richly developed characters and powerful insights.”—Library Journal

amazing

this woman is amazing her writing her ability to reach your inner self and let you know you are someone who deserve to be here you belong I am so fascinating by her writing her gift of giving thank you.

Short, sweet, and to a desired end

I loved that even though the stories were short, the characters still had enough "time" to develop a heartbeat & a personality. There was just enough time to feel and empathize w/the storylines.

Enjoyed The Short Stories!

The short stories were written well. Thank you very much for sharing this series of stories.

The title

Stories were too short and did not make any sense. I want a refund on my credit did not enjoy the book.

Not at all what I was expecting but ok

I guess I'd expected to hear more stories, longer essays and writings I hadn't already read or heard before in some way. I do like the way the content was presented.