Reviews

Red Clay Suite by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

rheckner's review

4.0

I found these poems to be beautiful, moving, and intensely personal. Very well written and put together.

rtwilliams16's review

4.0

Many of the poems in this collection echo themes that are also in the author's novel [b:The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois|51183428|The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois|Honorée Fanonne Jeffers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629809930l/51183428._SY75_.jpg|71834699]. Many of the poems deal with the land in Georgia and Oklahoma, the Native Americans who inhabited that land before us, and their relations with Black people. Other poems seem more autobiographical especially those that deal with a daughter's relationship with their father (who is a poet) and the father's abusiveness to the mother and daughter. There are also poems about dreams, visions, and connecting with the ancestors. Very good collection, definitely had a down home feel to it.

Favorite poems in this collection: "Passing"; "Giving Thanks for Water"; "An Angel, Unaware"; "The Compass of Moss"; "I've Been Up Late Reading the Book of Poems You Inscribed and Mailed to Me"; "The Blues I Don't Want to Remember"; "The Little Boy Who Will Be My Father"; "Hawk Hook Tea"; "Oklahoma Naming".

aliciaprettybrowneyereader's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

In the Field Mob version of the song, Georgia there is a line that says “But ain’t nothing like that GA red clay.” Honoree Fanonne Jeffers echoes that sentiment in this deeply personal collection of poems.  Professor Jeffers explores historical events, her relationship with her father and the experiences of people indigenous to the United States.

The collection starts with the title poem, Red Clay Suite which explores the role of red clay throughout the poet’s family history.  A very moving poem that fits the sentiment of the entire collection. 

jerseyfemme's review

inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Whew! So many poems that hit you in the gut. Honorée been through some stuff 😩 and this woman can WRITE! 

sandyd's review

4.0

Short book of recent poems about the South, the Plains, race, the blues, gardens, parents, the funerals of relatives, going home as an adult.