A review by shansometimes
Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden

dark reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

SUGAR is a novel about what happens when a 20-something sex worker with a rough past decides to move to a small, conservative Arkansas town to start over. I absolutely loved it, as it included so many elements that I'm always drawn to—a historical timeframe, female friendship, tension through controversy, commentary on Christianity, small-town life, and Black southern characters.

I was on edge throughout most of the book because the author kept revealing small, worrisome details and I couldn't imagine how these things were going to come to a head. I enjoyed following along as Sugar, the primary main character, struggled with her identity and formed an unlikely friendship with Pearl, her buttoned-up, church-going neighbor. Their friendship created a strong theme of redemption and healing for both women and forced the small-town minds around them to confront their judgments, sexism, and secrets. Watching Pearl and Sugar's friendship unfold among the twists and turns in this novel and imagining all of this happening in the 1950s was my kind of wild ride.

This book also reminded me of SULA, my favorite novel by Toni Morrison, in some small ways. If you liked SULA, I think there's a good chance you'll enjoy SUGAR as much as I did. Five stars!
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