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A review by fairymodmother
Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo by Ntozake Shange
5.0
A friend recommended the poetry of this author and when I couldn't find that readily, I thought I might as well try a novel.
I have never been happier to come across something unknown. This is an utterly delightful book of family, finding yourself, and the magic of womanhood. Love suffuses every line--love for Blackness, for women, for humanity, for art. Even the difficult parts, the ugly parts are explored with compassion and grace. The words themselves sing.
Shange manages to make a world that is alive, and speaks of cultural, generational pain that cannot overwhelm the hope for the future. We start the story charmingly in the kitchen these sisters grew up in, set in Charleston South Carolina and follow them as they travel the country and the energy of the Black Power era.
Highly, highly recommended for those looking for a slice of life that uplifts, but does not gloss over the parts of life that send us low enough to need that pick me up.
CONTENT WARNING: (no actual spoilers, just a list of topics)
Added note, I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.
I have never been happier to come across something unknown. This is an utterly delightful book of family, finding yourself, and the magic of womanhood. Love suffuses every line--love for Blackness, for women, for humanity, for art. Even the difficult parts, the ugly parts are explored with compassion and grace. The words themselves sing.
Shange manages to make a world that is alive, and speaks of cultural, generational pain that cannot overwhelm the hope for the future. We start the story charmingly in the kitchen these sisters grew up in, set in Charleston South Carolina and follow them as they travel the country and the energy of the Black Power era.
Highly, highly recommended for those looking for a slice of life that uplifts, but does not gloss over the parts of life that send us low enough to need that pick me up.
CONTENT WARNING: (no actual spoilers, just a list of topics)
Spoiler
domestic violence, drug use, infidelity, hate crimes and racism, discussion of slavery, discussion of rape.Added note, I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.