I read this book over a period of several weeks as its emotional depth is staggering. Deon illustrates the ways that love and pain shape our lives, our relationships, and our legacies.

Blunt and nuanced, this novel hits hard and leaves lasting bruises. ( )

I struggled at times with this novel - the nonlinear storyline threw me for a loop a few times - but by the end, I was really impressed by how the plot came together. Overall, this was a thought-provoking novel that doesn't hide the brutality of slavery while also showing characters who take agency over their own fate. ( )

Wow! There were times when my mouth was wide opened, I wiped tears, I screamed, and was angered. The author tells the story of different generations and supporting characters over time and in different locations and she does it well. You have to pay attention but if you do you will be rewarded. I listened to this book on audio and the narrator was MAGNIFICANT! ( )

This novel is about the brutality of chattel slavery and features a real cast of colorful characters and odd balls; black, white and POC.
The novel begins with Josey's birth and the murder of her mother, Naomi. After her body has died, Naomi's spirit? soul? is 'flashing' through her life and via these flashes we learn her and Josey's story.
Naomi is born on a slave breeding plantation. Her Momma is the 'massa's' best breeder and as such he gives her what he considers, special treatment. 'massa' is clearly poor white trash and has severe anger issues, having shot a white man because he could and paid no penalty for doing so. The countless enslaved peoples he killed is implied but not detailed.
He brings men, mostly black but some white, to Momma and tells her she needs to have boys, not more girls or he will turn to Naomi's older sister, Hazel. The babies are sold as infants and girls don't bring as much money as boy do.
Momma and Hazel have managed to hide Naomi's existence from 'massa'.
One horror filled evening 'massa' comes to make good on his promise to Momma about Hazel, as her last birth was twin girls. In the chaos 'massa' discovers teenage Naomi.
So begin Naomi's adventures and the story weaves magically between Naomi and Josey's life.
The characters in this novel practically breathe, they are so well written. ( )

Brilliant and devastating, lyrical and heart-breakingly sad. Everyone should read this book. Natashia Deón is a great talented voice! ( )