In the small town of Swift River, a complex bond between mothers and daughters is put to the test. The story revolves around Diamond Newberry, a teenager learning how to drive and dealing with the aftermath of her father's disappearance seven years ago. The family's struggles to cope with the loss are further complicated by Diamond's own struggles with her weight, as she is the only Black person in the predominantly white town.
The summer of 1987 is a pivotal time for Diamond, as her mother, Ma, is determined to declare her father legally dead in order to collect the life insurance money and move on with their lives. However, the discovery of a letter from a relative she's never met sets off a chain of events that reveals a much larger and more complicated history. As Diamond learns more about her family's past, she gains a deeper understanding of her own place in the world and her family's dynamics. The story is a powerful exploration of the ways in which our past experiences shape us and the courage it takes to let go and move forward.
The writer masterfully weaves together the stories of multiple generations of African American Newberry women, showcasing the struggles with prejudice and abandonment, yet also highlighting the power of love and devotion. Diamond's journey is a moving portrayal of first friendships, family secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit. As she navigates this complex web of relationships and history, Diamond must come to terms with her own identity and the future she wants to create for herself. With its poetic and propulsive writing style, this debut novel is a sparkling tribute to the authors who paved the way for her, while also forging a new and exciting path for contemporary literature.
Reading this book was a journey that left me with a lot to think about. One thing I couldn't help but feel for the main character, Diamond, was the pain and weight of her circumstances. She's dealing with a lot - her father's disappearance, her struggles with her weight as the only Black person in a predominantly white town, and her mom's determination to move on with their lives. It's easy to imagine how tough it must be for her to navigate all these challenges. I think what struck me most, though, was how the author showed how these struggles shape us and impact our relationships with others. The story is really good at exploring how our past experiences can both hold us back and help us grow.
As I turned the pages, I found myself getting drawn into Diamond's world and the world of her family. I loved how the author weaved together the stories of multiple generations of Newberry women, showcasing their struggles with prejudice and abandonment, but also highlighting the power of love and devotion. I was particularly fascinated by how Diamond's journey was tied to her own identity and the future she wanted to create for herself. It reminded me of my own experiences with self-discovery and finding one's own path in life. The author did an amazing job of conveying the importance of embracing our complexities and being brave enough to let go and move forward.
The writing style in this book was truly captivating - it was both poetic and propulsive, drawing you in and refusing to let go. What I appreciated most about the book, though, was its ability to both honor the authors who came before her and forge a new and exciting path for contemporary literature. It's clear that the author is inspired by the stories of the past, but also eager to innovate and explore new themes and ideas. Overall, I found this book to be a powerful, moving, and deeply resonant portrayal of one young woman's journey towards self-discovery and healing.
Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The author masterfully explores the complex bond between mothers and daughters, weaving together multiple generations of African American Newberry women to showcase their struggles with prejudice, abandonment, and their own identities. I was deeply moved by the author's portrayal of first friendships, family secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit. The writing style is both poetic and propulsive, drawing you in and refusing to let go. The story is a powerful exploration of how our past experiences shape us, and the courage it takes to let go and move forward. Reading this book was a journey that left me with a lot to think about, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful and moving portrayal of self-discovery and healing.