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literacyluminary's review against another edition
4.0
Pearl has had her heart ripped out after the murder of her daughter; Sugar has had her life ripped apart by choices made for her by others. Neither knows, until Sugar moves next door to Pearl, what life has in store for them both.
In my quest to find the alternative to “The Help” I’m trying to immerse myself in African-American authors, who’s points of view lend more authenticity and credibility to the stories of African-American characters. I hit gold with Bernice L. McFadden’s, Sugar.
Set in the rural town of Bigelow Arkansas during the early 40’s-50’s, this gut wrenching novel hits you square in the jaw from the opening pages. Pearl’s daughter, Jude, has been found brutally murdered and raped on the side of the road. For the next 15 years, she lives in a vacuum left by Jude’s absence, but in the comfort of her stoic husband, Joe. Sugar, abandoned at birth to be raised by 3 sisters who operate a “whore-house,” is raised to become a commodity in the family business – a life no one should be subjected. When Sugar moves to Bigelow, the town is horrified. They ignore her, gossip about her and ultimately want her gone. Pearl takes Sugar under her wing and tries to give her a friend for the first time in her life and to recreate for herself what it would be like to have a daughter. When they both try to learn each other’s histories, they are surprised at what they find. Ultimately, Sugar’s relationship with Pearl and Joe puts her at risk with one of her “tricks”, and the results are devastating.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal, graphic and gruesome. Life as a “whore” is ugly, filthy, and humiliating. Sugar’s life is not her own. She is nothing but a shell. But the love and friendship Pearl offers to Sugar, shows that there is a chance she can turn her life around. Ms. McFadden’s characters are multifaceted and alive, even if their circumstances show otherwise.
In the end, this novel will envelop you and break your heart, if only for the fact that I’m sure these experiences were the necessary evil for some women.
For the sensitive reader: No question, I would avoid this book.
Book source: public library
In my quest to find the alternative to “The Help” I’m trying to immerse myself in African-American authors, who’s points of view lend more authenticity and credibility to the stories of African-American characters. I hit gold with Bernice L. McFadden’s, Sugar.
Set in the rural town of Bigelow Arkansas during the early 40’s-50’s, this gut wrenching novel hits you square in the jaw from the opening pages. Pearl’s daughter, Jude, has been found brutally murdered and raped on the side of the road. For the next 15 years, she lives in a vacuum left by Jude’s absence, but in the comfort of her stoic husband, Joe. Sugar, abandoned at birth to be raised by 3 sisters who operate a “whore-house,” is raised to become a commodity in the family business – a life no one should be subjected. When Sugar moves to Bigelow, the town is horrified. They ignore her, gossip about her and ultimately want her gone. Pearl takes Sugar under her wing and tries to give her a friend for the first time in her life and to recreate for herself what it would be like to have a daughter. When they both try to learn each other’s histories, they are surprised at what they find. Ultimately, Sugar’s relationship with Pearl and Joe puts her at risk with one of her “tricks”, and the results are devastating.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal, graphic and gruesome. Life as a “whore” is ugly, filthy, and humiliating. Sugar’s life is not her own. She is nothing but a shell. But the love and friendship Pearl offers to Sugar, shows that there is a chance she can turn her life around. Ms. McFadden’s characters are multifaceted and alive, even if their circumstances show otherwise.
In the end, this novel will envelop you and break your heart, if only for the fact that I’m sure these experiences were the necessary evil for some women.
For the sensitive reader: No question, I would avoid this book.
Book source: public library
glowlove's review against another edition
4.0
I loved that white people were only in the periphary in this novel. It was good to read about the daily live and struggles of black people without it being slavery or constant threats of death from racists Southerners. They just lived lives marked by tragedy and tried their best to be who they were.
I loved Pearl and Sugar's relationship.
I loved Pearl and Sugar's relationship.
morninglightmama's review against another edition
4.0
Man, I've been picking books that take me for an emotional ride lately. This one certainly fits the bill, and the horrific images and violent events had my heart aching. Again, I have a difficult time saying that I "enjoyed" reading a book with such despair-filled content... but, I did. I thought the writing was powerful, and the setting of the 1950's South was authentic- I could feel the oppressive heat as I turned the pages. The hypocritical ways of the town's male population really bothered me, but I could certainly believe it, unfortunately. This book is filled with much more pain than redemption and more suffering than relief, which doesn't make for a comfortable reading, but who says that everything we read has to have a happy ending?
cashton's review against another edition
4.0
I know I have read this book before, but it’s been so long that I barely remembered the story. In reading it the story comes back to you like deja vu. Told in a series of flashbacks, memories, current events Sugar story is tucked neatly into southern history. But it’s story most know, of how to move beyond the cards life has dealt you.
s_dece's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.5
i_am_shell_b's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
ljohnson33's review against another edition
A little too vulgar for me. Stopped at page 75.
achuk0707's review against another edition
4.0
I could not put this book down. Set in the South in the 1950’s…a young prostitute makes her way back to her hometown. Everyone in the small town is whispering, gossiping and passing judgement the second Sugar arrives. Her next door neighbor, a middle aged woman, befriends her. The women are very different, but they end up needing each other to realize their true potential and to begin to heal from their past traumas. The writing is raw in a way that makes you see beyond your own experiences and feel compassion for people from different walks of life.
rhona_m's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Racial slurs, Rape, and Grief