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carleenshaw's review against another edition
4.0
"The only difference between you and me, Miss Pearl, is you began your whoring life in front of a congregation, dressed in white and with God's blessing!"
"I'm better now, not good as new, but I ain't never been new, just borrowed, lent and given like secondhand things usually are. I am who I am, Miss Pearl, can't no amount of soap and water change that."
THOSE two statements from Sugar Lacey shook me to the core. I LOVED the story, the buildup, Sugar's attitude and Sugar owning her truth NO MATTER who, NO MATTER what. When Sugar came to town in her tight dresses and colorful wigs, she shook up the town and more importantly, Sugar awakens the soul of Miss Pearl.
The Aries in me needed Sugar to roar more, to tell more and to do more before she left town BUT there is the sequel 'This Bitter Earth' (I am reading it today) and I'm hoping Sugar does ME right!! LOL
"I'm better now, not good as new, but I ain't never been new, just borrowed, lent and given like secondhand things usually are. I am who I am, Miss Pearl, can't no amount of soap and water change that."
THOSE two statements from Sugar Lacey shook me to the core. I LOVED the story, the buildup, Sugar's attitude and Sugar owning her truth NO MATTER who, NO MATTER what. When Sugar came to town in her tight dresses and colorful wigs, she shook up the town and more importantly, Sugar awakens the soul of Miss Pearl.
The Aries in me needed Sugar to roar more, to tell more and to do more before she left town BUT there is the sequel 'This Bitter Earth' (I am reading it today) and I'm hoping Sugar does ME right!! LOL
thejollyllama's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Another book I plucked off of Tayari Jones's GoodReads shelf. I really loved it!
TW: The first chapter of this book is extremely violent and graphic. I almost wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading because of how intense it was, but I'm glad I pushed through.
This style of writing really just pulls me in and makes me not want to put the book down. I did feel like I was left with some unanswered questions, and I didn't get all the closure I wanted on the characters' storylines, so I was happy when I found out that there's a sequel. I don't really expect or even want everything to be nicely tied up in a bow, but I did feel like a few too many threads were left hanging.
I got confused by some of the relationships between the characters, and would love if anyone reading this review could help explain it to me. I understand that Joe = Sugar's father and Bertie Mae = Sugar's mother. But what was the relationship between Bertie Mae, Ciel Brown, and Shirley Brown? On page 88, there is a story about Shirley being ashamed about Ciel (her daughter, who was raised by another family?), and I did not understand it at all. I read it multiple times, and still did not quite get what the story about Ciel had to do with the rest of the characters in the book.
Then on page 143, Bertie Mae was abused by Ciel - "Did she [May] want to tell Sugar of the madness her mama, Bertie Mae, endured under the roof of Ciel Brown? The Emotional and physical battering she lived with up until she left Short Junction with Ciel's man, Clemon Wilks?"
And finally, page 193 implies Sugar is Shirley's granddaughter.
So, Bertie Mae is... Shirley's daughter? And Ciel is.... also Shirley's daughter? So they're sisters? I'm so confused. Please help.
Another book I plucked off of Tayari Jones's GoodReads shelf. I really loved it!
TW: The first chapter of this book is extremely violent and graphic. I almost wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading because of how intense it was, but I'm glad I pushed through.
This style of writing really just pulls me in and makes me not want to put the book down. I did feel like I was left with some unanswered questions, and I didn't get all the closure I wanted on the characters' storylines, so I was happy when I found out that there's a sequel. I don't really expect or even want everything to be nicely tied up in a bow, but I did feel like a few too many threads were left hanging.
I got confused by some of the relationships between the characters, and would love if anyone reading this review could help explain it to me. I understand that Joe = Sugar's father and Bertie Mae = Sugar's mother. But what was the relationship between Bertie Mae, Ciel Brown, and Shirley Brown? On page 88, there is a story about Shirley being ashamed about Ciel (her daughter, who was raised by another family?), and I did not understand it at all. I read it multiple times, and still did not quite get what the story about Ciel had to do with the rest of the characters in the book.
Then on page 143, Bertie Mae was abused by Ciel - "Did she [May] want to tell Sugar of the madness her mama, Bertie Mae, endured under the roof of Ciel Brown? The Emotional and physical battering she lived with up until she left Short Junction with Ciel's man, Clemon Wilks?"
And finally, page 193 implies Sugar is Shirley's granddaughter.
So, Bertie Mae is... Shirley's daughter? And Ciel is.... also Shirley's daughter? So they're sisters? I'm so confused. Please help.
diadia_'s review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read in a long time. It is a story fully of poverty, hardship and life. This story is a story of a child whose life started off rough and only got more complicated as she grew older.
infatueighties's review against another edition
5.0
I need a hug! I don’t know how onions were being cut while reading but the tears flowed. This is the most beautiful tragedy I’ve ever read. The devil himself showed up here and I wept … uncontrollably. Mostly for the conversations that were never had, love that will never be explored and a worthiness that was never found.
My favorite read of 2024 easily. I started the sequel immediately.
My favorite read of 2024 easily. I started the sequel immediately.
clouds_on_clouds's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
allisonb64133's review against another edition
3.0
Picked this up at Sam's club, while waiting on J to shop. Read just a bit and knew I needed to read more. Twisting turning tale, I didn't follow all of but glad it came together at the end. A bittersweet, painful but enjoyable read.
internetnomads's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about as far towards "chick-lit" as I'm willing to tolerate. I have read too many stories already, I guess, and I feel jaded. I tire of predictable story lines like the one in this book where Pearl is drawn out of her shell by Sugar dyeing her hair and fixing her makeup, or how Sugar is a whore but really an amazing singer, which makes it OK.
That said, I enjoyed this book enough to want to come back to it. The dialogue is authentic and the setting is the best part of the story. I found the relationships a little too neatly-sewn-together, though. The ending left me cold.
That said, I enjoyed this book enough to want to come back to it. The dialogue is authentic and the setting is the best part of the story. I found the relationships a little too neatly-sewn-together, though. The ending left me cold.
tbkeith's review against another edition
5.0
I saw all of the fantastic reviews for this book but like to read and judge for myself. The reviews did not lie. I can not even begin to put my thoughts into words about this novel. I was immediately sucked into this story not just because of the character depth and vivid surroundings but also because I could feel the emotions.
Bernice L. McFadden lays out a story so straightforward that it's hard to look away even during the times that you really want to. At points I cried like a baby and at others I was laughing out loud. Having parents who were born in a small town in the 40's mostly populated by sharecroppers, farmers, and factory workers I could relate to the characters. I saw the Friday night standing fish fry, the colored only theater, and the juke joints. Even without this though it is fantastic.
The division between the blacks, whites, mulattos was very distinct but Bernice also shows hypocrisy. Even while being segregated and isolated, some chose to do the same to their own. She touched on many issues that while are part of history are things we don't want to remember because of the hatred behind them. She also touched on issues that are the same regardless of color and station. Sugar and Pearl couldn't be more different but forge a friendship that is stronger than many families. This novel is about acceptance of not only oneself but others. It is a must read!
Bernice L. McFadden lays out a story so straightforward that it's hard to look away even during the times that you really want to. At points I cried like a baby and at others I was laughing out loud. Having parents who were born in a small town in the 40's mostly populated by sharecroppers, farmers, and factory workers I could relate to the characters. I saw the Friday night standing fish fry, the colored only theater, and the juke joints. Even without this though it is fantastic.
The division between the blacks, whites, mulattos was very distinct but Bernice also shows hypocrisy. Even while being segregated and isolated, some chose to do the same to their own. She touched on many issues that while are part of history are things we don't want to remember because of the hatred behind them. She also touched on issues that are the same regardless of color and station. Sugar and Pearl couldn't be more different but forge a friendship that is stronger than many families. This novel is about acceptance of not only oneself but others. It is a must read!
andonsmom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Child death