A review by janetlweller
Saint Monkey by Jacinda Townsend

3.0

Other than the horrible ending which seemed to have no rationale behind it I loved this book. It tells the story of Audrey and Caroline, two black girls in 1950's Kentucky. They have a love/hate friendship with much jealousy and bitterness between them, yet their attachment and reach for each other lasts over years. In the background is the Jim Crow south and more hidden racist (and sexist) north. At 17 Audrey, a talented pianist gets a job playing piano at The Apollo in Harlem. Her time in New York is the best part of the book, very compelling. For me this author has a lyrical voice and if it had not all fallen apart at the end I would have given this a very high rating.