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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
First line: My father, James Witherspoon, is a bigamist.
Dana Lynn Yarboro and Bunny Chaurise Witherspoon are sisters, but only Dana knows this. Dana’s mother, Gwen, married James 10 years after he had married Laverne, and just a few days after Chaurise was born. Gwen has always told Dana that her father has another family, and also made her understand that this is a private matter that cannot be discussed. But having the basic information isn’t enough for her; Dana hungers for more. What she really wants to know is does James “love” his other family? Or more importantly, does he love them MORE than he loves Dana and Gwen? Dana will not stop until she has elbowed her way into Chaurise’s life. And once the girls become friends their secrets are bound to come out.
I was completely drawn into the story of these two sisters, only one of which knows the other exists. Jones crafts a tale of a different family model that rings true. I recognize my own emotions and reactions in those of the characters, from the desire to be “Daddy’s little girl” to the need for recognition. Dana narrates the first half of the book, Chaurise the second. Through them we also learn about their mothers, grandmother, friends and neighbors.
Everyone, the men – James and his “brother” Raleigh – included, is flawed but trying to do the right thing, or at least the best she or he can do given past choices. The choices they make affect not just themselves but a wider circle of people, often with unintended results. In the end Jones shows that we must all live with the results – whether it was our choice or someone else’s. Every character wins and loses. The reader’s loyalties are conflicted – do we side with Gwen and Dana? With Laverne and Chaurise? In the end, we can love all of them, with all their flaws and despite some bad behavior.
Dana Lynn Yarboro and Bunny Chaurise Witherspoon are sisters, but only Dana knows this. Dana’s mother, Gwen, married James 10 years after he had married Laverne, and just a few days after Chaurise was born. Gwen has always told Dana that her father has another family, and also made her understand that this is a private matter that cannot be discussed. But having the basic information isn’t enough for her; Dana hungers for more. What she really wants to know is does James “love” his other family? Or more importantly, does he love them MORE than he loves Dana and Gwen? Dana will not stop until she has elbowed her way into Chaurise’s life. And once the girls become friends their secrets are bound to come out.
I was completely drawn into the story of these two sisters, only one of which knows the other exists. Jones crafts a tale of a different family model that rings true. I recognize my own emotions and reactions in those of the characters, from the desire to be “Daddy’s little girl” to the need for recognition. Dana narrates the first half of the book, Chaurise the second. Through them we also learn about their mothers, grandmother, friends and neighbors.
Everyone, the men – James and his “brother” Raleigh – included, is flawed but trying to do the right thing, or at least the best she or he can do given past choices. The choices they make affect not just themselves but a wider circle of people, often with unintended results. In the end Jones shows that we must all live with the results – whether it was our choice or someone else’s. Every character wins and loses. The reader’s loyalties are conflicted – do we side with Gwen and Dana? With Laverne and Chaurise? In the end, we can love all of them, with all their flaws and despite some bad behavior.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
africanbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
!!! https://africanbookaddict.com/2022/10/16/silver-sparrow-by-tayari-jones/
Wow. There is a special place in hell for this James Witherspoon character, with Raleigh following right after him. Just, wow.
Idk, I enjoyed Dana's chapters waaay more than Chaurisse's. Since the book starts off with Dana's chapters, I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. But as we transitioned into Chaurisse's story, I started to not give a fuck about her and her self-deprecating, under-achieving self. Also, some bits of the story felt overly dramatic and almost unrealistic when we were approaching the climax of the bullshit James orchestrated.
I did love how with each of the girl's chapters we are taken through their parents' past. The way James and Laverne met and settled down was so different from how James and Gwen met and 'settled down'. Raleigh's past had my heart sooooo heavy, whew! Even though we are introduced to Miss Bunny briefly, I really loved her! What a woman. A true, selfless MVP.
If I had read this book when I was in my teens or 20's, I would have judged Gwen and Dana so harshly. But since I read this while I'm in my 30's, I somewhat appreciate Gwen's decisions and understand her. There are no winners and losers in this story... oh wait - James is definitely a loser in this story. There is no way in hell that anyone can make me sympathize with such a wicked, heartless, confused, selfish man, ei! How he treated Dana, especially at the end when she reveals her last encounter with him, was terrible.
Silver Sparrow is a really complicated 1980's story about family, secrets and sisterhood. Social class and privilege add another layer of complexity to the story. The way Tayari Jones writes about her hometown - Atlanta, and the South, shows her immense love for the region. I'm trying to understand why hair played such a large role in the story; there are many scenes in Laverne's hair salon and Chaurisse often compared her (lack thereof) hair to Dana's luscious mane.
Tayari Jones is an author I'm really beginning to love. I gave An American Marriage 5 stars two years ago, and I do see her growth in that book.
Sigh... I'm excited to discuss this at bookclub tomorrow :)
Wow. There is a special place in hell for this James Witherspoon character, with Raleigh following right after him. Just, wow.
Idk, I enjoyed Dana's chapters waaay more than Chaurisse's. Since the book starts off with Dana's chapters, I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. But as we transitioned into Chaurisse's story, I started to not give a fuck about her and her self-deprecating, under-achieving self. Also, some bits of the story felt overly dramatic and almost unrealistic when we were approaching the climax of the bullshit James orchestrated.
I did love how with each of the girl's chapters we are taken through their parents' past. The way James and Laverne met and settled down was so different from how James and Gwen met and 'settled down'. Raleigh's past had my heart sooooo heavy, whew! Even though we are introduced to Miss Bunny briefly, I really loved her! What a woman. A true, selfless MVP.
If I had read this book when I was in my teens or 20's, I would have judged Gwen and Dana so harshly. But since I read this while I'm in my 30's, I somewhat appreciate Gwen's decisions and understand her. There are no winners and losers in this story... oh wait - James is definitely a loser in this story. There is no way in hell that anyone can make me sympathize with such a wicked, heartless, confused, selfish man, ei! How he treated Dana, especially at the end when she reveals her last encounter with him, was terrible.
Silver Sparrow is a really complicated 1980's story about family, secrets and sisterhood. Social class and privilege add another layer of complexity to the story. The way Tayari Jones writes about her hometown - Atlanta, and the South, shows her immense love for the region. I'm trying to understand why hair played such a large role in the story; there are many scenes in Laverne's hair salon and Chaurisse often compared her (lack thereof) hair to Dana's luscious mane.
Tayari Jones is an author I'm really beginning to love. I gave An American Marriage 5 stars two years ago, and I do see her growth in that book.
Sigh... I'm excited to discuss this at bookclub tomorrow :)
wuchtorff's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
owenjetton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nathaaliesoto's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Tayari Jones writes the most gut-wrenchingly beautiful stories. The complex feelings of being a daughter are captured so well. This the type of book that just sits with you long after you’ve finished it. I will be thinking about Chaurisse and Dana for all of my days.
bianca_therese's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smartinelli99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
carolrinke's review against another edition
3.0
Sue recommended this to me a couple of years ago. I finally read it recently and just afterwards Mari also commended it at our 2016 book club planning meeting. The idea of the bigamist father, his first and "legitimate" family living a life knowing nothing of the second secret family. The burden of the secret family living in second place made me sorry for them. What a tangled mess. Tayari Jones did well making the lives real. It also makes you think. And count your blessings. 3-4 stars. I enjoyed it and would recommend it but don't feel like "Wow, you can't miss this book".