Reviews

Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden

craftbuzz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

donnasbookaddiction's review against another edition

5.0

This book is written in rich detail, realistic characterization and superb writing. This writer's ability to capture the look and feel of the 50s Jim Crow south and the people who inhabit this small town are amazing and there is no doubt this is a literary masterpiece. Bernice McFadden has a wonderful writing style where she paces out the story line and everything is just perfect. The story of Sugar is beautiful, tragic, happy, hopeful and sad all at the same time. Well-developed characters and wonderful writing and dialogue. The author is excellent!

yellowbellebeauty's review against another edition

5.0

Excellent novel. Sugar is the second novel authored by McFadden that I've read, and her work is simply superb. Her storytelling reels you in and transports you into the world that she's writing about; as the reader you become the character. Fantastic work. I'm a new fan.

audreylee's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-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

4.0

Ms Mcfadden treated Sugar poorly. This was beautiful but grim.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

kdat's review against another edition

5.0

Wonderful...amazing...captivating...I highlighted so many phrases from this book because they stopped me cold. Just wow.

amygraver1's review against another edition

4.0

Gorgeous, vivid and emotive writing, McFadden really knows how to tell a story. I loved Sugar, the characters felt very real to me and it explored some really interesting themes. I felt for the characters especially Sugar and I loved reading about the friendship between Sugar and Pearl. I found this to be very reminiscent of The Colour Purple. I need to read more from McFadden.

mjs_busyreading's review against another edition

emotional sad tense 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? No

5.0

hollymurphy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

deebury's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Such a well written story.

bookbaetee's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Sugar, by Bernice L. McFadden, is the compelling story of the unlikely friendship between two Southern Black women in 1950s rural Arkansas. Pearl’s life is almost perfunctory since losing her youngest child and only daughter, Jude, in a brutal murder 15 years ago. She goes through the motions of being a good Christian woman, devoted wife, and mother but there is a deep longing within Pearl—a grief that will not subside. Enter Sugar Lacey. Sugar saunters in with her dark skin, red lipstick, cigarette, and blonde wig setting the town ablaze. The denizens of Bigelow Arkansas see in Sugar only what they lack. The women hate her. The men pay well for her love. Pearl is entranced by her. But not out of jealousy like the gossipy women nor out of desire like the lustful men. Pearl sees in Sugar the remnants of Jude broken and abused with her womanhood on full display. 

Sugar, the novel, is laden with heavy themes. Murder. Abuse. Abandonment. Prostitution. Colorism. Segregation. Yet the author skillfully and adeptly balances this with interwoven images of love, friendship, sisterhood, motherhood, and forgiveness. Through Sugar and Pearl, we see what it looks like when the motherless and daughterless collide and we learn that all wounds heal though some leave deep scars. 

Book #39 of 2024 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️