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boujeebookworm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cherylzzzz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
carolita1128's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
timetoread_more2022's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Amazing! This book is a tour de force and will stick with you a long time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment and Abortion
lilliana_blackstar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Historical Fiction centering on the lives of three different black women, of different generations, linked by family.
Grace is an orphaned teenager who escaped from the Jim Crow era South into the North during the Great Migration, but ends up pregnant with no support.
Dolores has a tragic past that left her unable to bear children, so she and her husband adopt.
Ray is the adopted daughter, who never knows the history of her young mother Grace, raised by Dolores.
The book is told in three parts,each focusing on the story of one woman. Each woman faces hardship and tragedy. There is some triggering situations like r*pe, abuse, infidelity, abortion, adoption, racism, sexism, death. Overall it is worthwhile to read, just take care and be aware of the triggers. While each story contains heartbreak and tragedy, it also contains stories of resilience. Each person struggles to escape the generational trauma, and are not fully able to avoid passing that trauma on to their children, but they also pass on their tenacity and strength.
I really appreciate the mentions of certain abilities passed on in bloodlines - though they aren't a central focus of the story it is beautiful to have it mentioned that sometimes prophetic dreams or foresight abilities are passed on to children.
Sometimes the story is slow and meandering, and then sometimes it is packed with high emotion and conflict.
I think this book will potentially stand alongside other great novels about the resilience of Black Women in America, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God, and The Color Purple.
Grace is an orphaned teenager who escaped from the Jim Crow era South into the North during the Great Migration, but ends up pregnant with no support.
Dolores has a tragic past that left her unable to bear children, so she and her husband adopt.
Ray is the adopted daughter, who never knows the history of her young mother Grace, raised by Dolores.
The book is told in three parts,each focusing on the story of one woman. Each woman faces hardship and tragedy. There is some triggering situations like r*pe, abuse, infidelity, abortion, adoption, racism, sexism, death. Overall it is worthwhile to read, just take care and be aware of the triggers. While each story contains heartbreak and tragedy, it also contains stories of resilience. Each person struggles to escape the generational trauma, and are not fully able to avoid passing that trauma on to their children, but they also pass on their tenacity and strength.
I really appreciate the mentions of certain abilities passed on in bloodlines - though they aren't a central focus of the story it is beautiful to have it mentioned that sometimes prophetic dreams or foresight abilities are passed on to children.
Sometimes the story is slow and meandering, and then sometimes it is packed with high emotion and conflict.
I think this book will potentially stand alongside other great novels about the resilience of Black Women in America, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God, and The Color Purple.
kaileemily's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
bookdivaa54's review
challenging
dark
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0