Reviews

Family by J. California Cooper

meahjones's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Child death, Slavery, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Pregnancy, Suicide, Rape, and Death of parent

bybemoulden's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

larryerick's review against another edition

4.0

It's hard to imagine a book about slavery in America and not come away repulsed by what you are shown, but this book gets away with it. Presented almost like a loving relative telling a rather lengthy fairy tale, the reader can absorb the horrors without the full depth of emotional trauma. Appreciation without devastation. While the goal is one of optimism, I question some of the author's positions on issues. For instance, especially toward the end, she seems to be stating how good it is for a black person to look white. Not just for acceptance in a white-dominated society, but because it's just better. She also ends emphasizing the power of love when what she shows throughout is more the power of persistence in making life better. However, neither of these take away some of the beauty of what is written. At one point, a main character acknowledges to her new husband that she has seen the scars of his abuse as a slave, and says, "I's gonna rub em down with my special linment." To which he replies, "Yo special limment is love. You done already rubbed me all over my heart and soul. My body be awright now." And so is the reader, in the end.

apieceofjaaay's review against another edition

emotional informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if I wasn’t pacing myself, I may have read it in one day. I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading. I didn’t think stories about slavery could be hopeful but I’m glad I kept with it. I loved how saavy and smart Always was. I appreciated that the perspective was from her mother, and that we could jump around to see how the other kids were living. I liked the little tidbits of advice sprinkled into the story. I wish the story would’ve ended a little happier but that’s life. Overall a good book, about what it means to be family during slavery & reconstruction era(s). 

kaya217's review against another edition

5.0

I have 2 favorite books in my world...this one and Kindred by Octavia Butler. They are the only books that I have taken the time to read twice. I truly enjoyed the way J. California Cooper told this story. She took a sensitive topic such as slavery and told it's story with grace. Always will always be one of my favorite characters.

mariahroze's review against another edition

5.0

I read this book for the Goodreads' book club Diversity in All Forms! If you would like to join or check out the discussion on this book here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18573912-family-june-2017

I am so glad that J. California Cooper was our voted on author because her work is amazing and I would have never been introduced to it otherwise.

This book takes place right before the Civil War. This book is about a woman named Always, born a slave, and her four generations of her African-American family throughout history.

korilondon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

booksbythecup's review against another edition

Cooper’s brilliance shines in this short work following one woman’s children during slavery on the brink of the Civil War and after. I loved Always.

lauratatum's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad

5.0

gmdudley4's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars. I am actually shocked at how much I liked this novel. I need a break from some of the high brow literature typically read and J. California Cooper was the answer to that. I will admit that I was hooked with only about 15 pages in as the writing is strong and the characters well developed. The topic was heavy - enslavement, rape, violence, white supremacy, etc. - but the writing focused on women and their agency, resilience, and survival so that kept me going. I would recommend this book. I'm going to check out more from this author.