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The World According to Fannie Davis
The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother's Life in the Detroit Numbers | Bridgett M. Davis
15 posts | 13 read | 14 to read
A singular memoir highlighting "the outstanding humanity of black America" that tells the story of one unforgettable mother, her devoted daughter, and the life they lead in the Detroit numbers of the 1960s and 1970s (James McBride) In 1958, the very same year that an unknown songwriter named Berry Gordy borrowed $800 to found Motown Records, a pretty young mother from Nashville, Tennessee borrowed $100 from her brother to run a Numbers racket out of her tattered apartment on Delaware Street, in one of Detroit's worst sections. That woman was Fannie Davis, Bridgett M. Davis' mother. Part bookie, part banker, mother, wife, granddaughter of slaves, Fannie became more than a numbers runner: she was a kind of Ulysses, guiding both her husbands, five children and a grandson through the decimation of a once-proud city using her wit, style, guts, and even gun. She ran her numbers business for 34 years, doing what it took to survive in a legitimate business that just happened to be illegal. She created a loving, joyful home, sent her children to the best schools, bought them the best clothes, mothered them to the highest standard, and when the tragedy of urban life struck, soldiered on with her stated belief: "Dying is easy. Living takes guts." A daughter's moving homage to an extraordinary parent, The World According to Fannie Davis is also the suspenseful, unforgettable story about the lengths to which a mother will go to "make a way out of no way" to provide a prosperous life for her family -- and how those sacrifices resonate over time. This original, timely, and deeply relatable portrait of one American family is essential reading.
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rachelk
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It‘s easy to see why Davis takes so much pride in what her mother was able to accomplish. I found the history of numbers running (which I knew nothing about) interesting, especially given the backdrop of Detroit in the 1970‘s. Even though this is a personal and unique story, it also provides an expanded view of American history.

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rebbyj
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Very loving and very interesting.

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LazyLimaLife
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The topic is very interesting - I‘ve heard about the numbers, but never actually knew what it was. This story not only gives you the history of Detroit‘s illegal lottery, but gives a good picture of life among upper middle class Blacks and how the city grew and changed over the years. The audio is a little slow, but it‘s got enough info to keep you going.

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Christine
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Pickpick

I loved this audiobook. The writing was beautiful, and listening to Davis‘s gentle, clear, potent voice was almost like meditating. Everything she wrote seems even more meaningful when conveyed through her (seriously, unusually wonderful, especially for an author) narration. I thought the balance between personal reflections, stories about her indomitable mother, and historical data about Detroit and its Numbers culture was perfect.

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Bookpearl
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Our Pearls pick for the month of August is an exciting one and we can‘t wait to read this. The World According to Fannie Davis will have us on the edge of our seat!

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Adventures-of-a-French-Reader
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Mehso-so

It's a book I would have never read if it hadn't been chosen by my book club, mostly because I'm not interested in the numbers, neither in the story of a woman running them.
Because of this lack of interest, I found some parts of the book dull and boring. However, it's a well-written book with interesting facts about the numbers, Detroit and of course about Fannie Davis, the author's mother.

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JSW
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Such a beautiful tribute, fascinating story, and personal/historical look at Numbers. I learned so much and really enjoyed this read. Highly recommended for book groups - so much to discuss. 📚👥

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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Just finished this for my IRL book club meeting on Wednesday. Our next book is Perfect Peace.

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razmanda
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Really interesting, moving memoir about one of the only female Numbers runner in Detroit in the 1960‘s through the early 1990‘s. Lots of tidbits about the city, the game and the family who are all intertwined in the author‘s story.

Christine So glad to hear you enjoyed this! Waiting impatiently for my library hold to come in... 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf I‘m reading this for my book club this month. Planning on starting it this weekend. Glad you liked it. 5y
24 likes2 comments
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Cydster61
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Pickpick

Brilliant memoir. Read Daddy Was a Numbers Runner by Louise Meriwether as well if you haven't.

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razmanda
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Next up: my library book smells like weed. That‘s a good sign, right?

Weaponxgirl 😂 I think so 5y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

A fascinating look at Fannie Davis‘s life through the eyes of her mother. Would make a good companion read to The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio

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jenniferw88
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ErikasMindfulShelf This is the next book we‘re reading with my bookclub. Can‘t wait! 5y
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Christine
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Just listened to new-to-me writer Bridgett M. Davis on a Fresh Air episode from Monday. She was such an interesting guest with a wonderfully gentle yet authoritative way of speaking. Now I want to read (or, better yet, listen to) this book. 🎧 📚

50 likes2 stack adds1 comment