Reviews

This started out strong, but ultimately took a turn. The author's writing was repetitive and frequently cliche, and I struggle with books where not one character is likable. While the middle of the book was still okayish, the end just seemed slapped on and lazy.

criticalreader's review against another edition

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5.0

An interesting look into the issue of colorism within the African American community, particularly during the early 20th century, an issue that still exists with the whole 'Team Darkskin vs Team Lightskin'.

kwils217's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

amittaizero's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this book immediately after reading [a:Claude McKay|36919|Claude McKay|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1360437730p2/36919.jpg]'s [b:Home to Harlem|999816|Home to Harlem|Claude McKay|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388620803s/999816.jpg|985307]. I've often avoided the Harlem Renaissance because it's become so much a part of the American literary canon that some of its authors have become static, almost sterile figures. [b:The Blacker the Berry...|868440|The Blacker the Berry...|Wallace Thurman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348407725s/868440.jpg|853827] and McKay's novel both highlight the "intra-racial" forms of discrimination, as Thurman calls it.

All this is me talking from the outside looking in.

My previous knowledge of the issue of blackness comes mostly from teaching high school in a predominately Black (capital "B" I guess) community where being black (dark-skinned) was, at least from what I saw, a magnet for mockery. All the lighter hues of Black students almost seemed to become one when a black student was in the class. Even the darkest male and female students expressed their preference for "light-skins."

Being black was a punchline. I remember once turning out the lights to use the overhead projector and one of my students exclaiming, "Where's Brandon? I can't see him anymore!!" The intimation being that all that could be seen of Brandon, in true minstrel fashion, were his eyes and his teeth - or just his eyes, since he wasn't smiling.

charlotte612's review against another edition

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reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

michellemybelle's review against another edition

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4.75

Thurman did the thing! A lil abrupt ending tho. I was frustrated, angry, sad, and happy (for a limited time 😞) for Emma Lou Morgan. Her story is so relatable to dark-skinned women descended from American slavery, specifically, and dark-skinned women of African descent everywhere. I need a film or limited series adaption, STAT.

neldiamond's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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