written by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers, book 46 of 2021
Even in a place of sorrow time passes. Even in a place of joy. Do not assume that either keeps life from continuing. For there are children everywhere. And children are life for they keep their mother’s beauty.
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois – Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
This book is a true undertaking. When I received the advanced listening copy from the publisher I was shocked to see that the listening time was over one whole day of audio. It was worth it. The narrative covers the perspective and history of many of the ancestors of the main character, Ailey Pearl Garfield. The story unfolds in a back and forth pull between the past and present in a way kept the story from losing steam. Oddly, even though I didn’t love any of the characters on their own, I grew quite attached to their combination as an entire family. I would highly recommend this book for its skilled, nuanced, and loving depiction of the bonds of family over time and all manners of adversity.
The narration was also extremely well done and maintained my attention. I loved the Black and Southern dialogue and felt engrossed in the particular people and places.
Recommended for: those interested in the long arc of history, family dramas, historical fiction, or black stories.
Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Multiple Narrators, Coming of Age
Content Warnings: Violence, Rape, Slavery, Drug Use, Addiction, Death of a Parent, Violence, Displacement