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leahlovespandas's review against another edition
5.0
Ntozake Shange is way more than an author- her different modes of art transcend throughout the novel. She was able to discuss the inner workings of racism, misogyny, and a culture of dissemblance in a page turning, magic but brutally real way. The only problem was that it ended.
ekmitchy's review against another edition
4.0
Some parts were more engaging for me than others, but overall, this was a wonderful story. I've been wanting to read Shange's work for a while, and I am glad I finally did.
simransandhu31's review against another edition
5.0
This book surprised me. It is so beautifully crafted, it feels honest and honours the many generations of black women supporting each other, withing families and in their community. Having the strength of be themselves and remember the experiences of ancestors in every step and interaction. Our histories are inescapable and are our foundation.
ayanna8's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.25
realsupergirl's review against another edition
5.0
"So Cypress learned to see other people as themselves, and not as threats to her person."
This line, and this novel, changed the way I conceptualize relationships. I'm still learning.
This line, and this novel, changed the way I conceptualize relationships. I'm still learning.
khelwig's review against another edition
3.0
After reading other reviews, I feel badly about my lower than average rating. But! I really have never liked magical realism. This may not be categorized as MR, but it definitely had that feel. Very poetic, which was beautiful, but also confusing at times.
dtpsweeney's review against another edition
4.0
A terrific patchwork of a book interweaving of the lives of mother and daughters. “Sassafras, Cypress, & Indigo” seems almost like a scrapbook at times, Shange’s authorship wonderfully curatorial. Here are vignettes spread across a decade or more of three daughters growing into themselves (each very much her own person) interspersed with recipes, letters from Mama, dreams, visions, music, spells.
Overall, a delicate and artful coming-of-age for three sisters from Charleston, South Carolina, growing up in a world very different from their parents, growing into very different women, but connected by the family ties that bind. Really glad I read it.
Overall, a delicate and artful coming-of-age for three sisters from Charleston, South Carolina, growing up in a world very different from their parents, growing into very different women, but connected by the family ties that bind. Really glad I read it.
lotusblue's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure what I think of this book that U read because it was mentioned in Well Read Black Girl.
latad_books's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Sensual, with some beautiful imagery and fantastical details as the author describes the lives of three sisters, Sassafras, Cypress and Indigo, as they figure who they are and what they want, against a backdrop of the 60s: racism, civil rights, misogyny, etc. I liked the way food figured in the story, as well as family rituals and finding one’s own direction.