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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This book was described to me as a Barbados-American “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” And while I can certainly see the similarities, it is so much more raw and visceral and real than Smith’s classic coming of age story. It is the story of Selina Boyce and her struggles to find herself as a black American in post-WW II America. Her recently immigrated Barbados family and community both holds her up and pushes her down in this quest. The conflicts between her parents over land and property vs dreams were agonizing to read; Marshall is an amazing writer. As were the conflicts between her West Indian community and American blacks. An excellent, though not uplifting, book and highly recommended.
I can't empathize with any of these people. The main character is annoying, the father lazy, the neighbours know no personal space.
3.5 rounded up. Beautiful prose and a wonderful character study but the plot was lacking for me.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Read for my Heart of the City class. I’ve only ever read non-fiction by Paule Marshall, but I was blown away by this. What a surreal experience to read about the moment Selina realizes she isn’t a person to white people with the news of of the murder of Greg Floyd and attempted murder of Christian Cooper in the background.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
For some reason I thought this was going to be a bit more young adult-y, but it was actually a gorgeous coming of age story about a girl split between the paths her parents wanted.