written by Ladee Hubbard, Book 5 of 2021
“All of this requires effort on my part. This effort is called work. And when I work I expect to be paid. Paid? That’s right. Cash.”
Jennie – The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard.
This book was not at all what I expected in the best way. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction from African American perspectives but this was a truly unique story. It centers on Mr. Sitwell, a groundskeeper for a wealthy white family who over the course of the first half of the novel, rediscovers some unsettling memories from his past that lead to some unsettling repercussions.
I found myself unable to unplug from the story, needing to find out where the characters would end up. I enjoyed the split structure of the novel. The first and second half are told by two different narrators separated by several years. My one complaint about this was that it felt like it left some key questions unanswered. I’ve seen some reviews compare it to the Academy Award winning film Parasite and I do see some interesting parallels that could make for a great book club discussion. Honestly, I could see a lot of ways this book would make a great book club choice. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile…
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an early copy of this audiobook in return for my honest feedback.
Recommended for: Anyone wanting a new take on historical racial injustice and its intersection with capitalism. Anyone interested in considering the role our biological and chosen families play in our lives and what we owe each other.
Actions I will take in response to this book:
- Constantly monitor how the legacy of white supremacy continues to this day and interrupt its modern manifestations.
- Pay black women for their work and support black owned businesses.
Content Warnings: Death of a Parent, Violence, Death, Race Violence