kristen_eden's review against another edition
5.0
This book covers a lot if different topics, which will usually annoy me, but it does so deftly. Apparently I'm on a "books a about motherhood" kick. Definitely recommend, would make a great Book Club book.
lisettemarie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Overall very good with some great commentary on race and class. Ending felt a little rushed and I had hoped for more of an ending with Ruth and her husband
dr_manuela_reads's review against another edition
1.0
Read about a third of this book and cannot finish it. It is so incredibly sappy. Every line - sappy.
It has promise in that it seems it is set to be about motherhood, race, class, societal shifts. But it falls flat immediately. One of the first scenes is of a young black boy being harassed by a policeman. It was so obvious. The whole description - obvious! It could have been so much richer.
I rarely give up on a book but I could not finish this.
It has promise in that it seems it is set to be about motherhood, race, class, societal shifts. But it falls flat immediately. One of the first scenes is of a young black boy being harassed by a policeman. It was so obvious. The whole description - obvious! It could have been so much richer.
I rarely give up on a book but I could not finish this.
kriste's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated the race and class aspects of this book. I also appreciated the library author chat I saw w/ Nancy Johnson and Jodi Picoult.
booksandboardingpass's review against another edition
3.0
« Just thinking of all that could crush her son before he got a good start in the world overwhelmed Ruth. She thought of both boys and how the world saw each of them in black and white how they’d be forever defined by that distinction. »
kashstephanie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nooshj's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
aleaa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katietotallybooked's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is a family novel about a Black family set in the wake of the 2008 election. Ruth, the protagonist, and her husband Xavier are living their best life in the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago--- successful careers, happy marriage--- but when they talk about starting a family, Ruth can't bear to share her truth that she has a son who was born when she was seventeen, a son who was given up for adoption. When she tells Xavier, he is hurt and upset. Ruth decides to go back to her hometown, a small town in Indiana, to ask her grandmother and her brother what became of her baby. This novel explores themes of family, connection, and motherhood. It is a terrific book discussion book.