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dinasamimi's review against another edition
4.0
This story holds up a mirror to the ways we perceive race, and orders us to rethink. It's small and clever and free of any racial modifiers, bringing added intrigue into these two distinct lives. That said, I think Twyla is Black. Leave Zadie Smith's introduction to the end, it is excellent but spoils a ton.
booksamongstfriends's review against another edition
5.0
This story will challenge your way of thinking! And what better author than Toni Morrison to do so. Starting from their time in foster care, reading their experiences into adulthood and motherhood, Morrison has you wondering which one is black, and which one is white. Twyla or Roberta. It’s up to us as the reader to decide which is which, never exposed to the truth. Is it the names, their actions, their responses, their mothers…. How do you identify a person?
I have been suggesting this book and boy has it sparked interesting conversation. My godmother and I have been coming back to this for the last few days. My godmother quickly looked at the differences in their mothers, but just as quickly questioned if that was really a telling point. At every page you realize that what is considered “black” or “white” for one person could be argued for southern in certain context. Or religious in another. Just as I knew Twyla was black…. by the end it was clear to me Roberta was instead. At every conversation my mind changed but one in particular stuck out. The Hendrix talk.
I have been suggesting this book and boy has it sparked interesting conversation. My godmother and I have been coming back to this for the last few days. My godmother quickly looked at the differences in their mothers, but just as quickly questioned if that was really a telling point. At every page you realize that what is considered “black” or “white” for one person could be argued for southern in certain context. Or religious in another. Just as I knew Twyla was black…. by the end it was clear to me Roberta was instead. At every conversation my mind changed but one in particular stuck out. The Hendrix talk.
eeamiller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
tamaram's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anovellaidea's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zellburke's review
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alicja_p's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
susannah_knox's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
The conceit is a puzzle - we know that of Twyla and Roberta, one is Black and one is white, but we don't know which one is which. But rather than swallowing the whole story dropping clues and making the reader obsess over this question, she creates a vivid picture of two parallel lives that feel real and universal.