Mama Day is a 1988 novel by Gloria Naylor. Fraught with Shakespearian allusions, Mama Day centers around two star-crossed lovers in 20th century times.
The narrative concerns two characters, Cocoa and George, who meet when Cocoa interviews for a job at George's company. Cocoa is a young Southern woman from Willow Springs, an ambiguously magical place where her family has lived for generations. When George and Cocoa begin to date, they must battle both real-life and supernatural demons. Like a Shakespeare play, the story ends in tragedy as George is unable to reconcile his reality with the mystical forces Cocoa is familiar with.
Mama Day was released to favorable acclamation. Critics praised its unique storyline and characters, as well as its Shakespearian inspiration. However, people also questioned its mixed messages about race and sexuality.
