zoracious's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Death
carriepond's review
4.0
Plot takes place over the course of three decades from the perspective of several members of the rural majority-black Kentucky town, Opulence. Really enjoyed this one--wonderful writing.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Birds of Opulence is a matriarchal family story focussing on four generations of the Goode-Brown family whose lives are based in the wonderfully named small town of Opulence. I’ve no idea how I first come across this novel, which has been lingering on my TBR list for too long but I’m so glad that I finally picked it up. The storytelling was wonderful, the writing lush and lyrical, the sense of place vivid, and the characters oh-so memorable, even though they - or at least some of their actions- were not always likeable. It’s a sometimes hard-hitting depiction of the realities of Black womanhood, a nuanced look at motherhood, a sad and confronting picture of mental illness, an examination of intergenerational trauma, and a beautiful exploration of the enduring strength of love. There’s pain and trauma, yet also joy and beauty. I listened on audio and the narration was excellent, enhancing my experience with the book. I’m very much looking forward to exploring the author’s backlist plus whatever she writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Rape
karaloyd's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
johnnyb1954's review
4.0
Crystal Wilkinson develops a vivid sense of the people and the places in this story. The language is lyrical and the imagery captivating. The main criticism I have is that the book is too short. You get to know the women who drive the story, their family, and the people of Opulence and you care about them. Then it is over and you want to know what happened to Yolanda and Mona and Kee Kee. I recently have read a couple 500 page books that should have been 200. This 200 page book should have been more, or there should be a sequel.
I did struggle with the first chapter. I wasn't sure I would like the book after that. But it grows and draws you in. When I finished, I went back and reread the first chapter. It was different, better, knowing who everyone was. But I also realized that it was told in first person voice by Yolanda. It is the only chapter that is and I don't know why. It makes it seem that the story is about her. But the real arc of the story concerns the whole family and the Home Place that is the setting at beginning and end.
It's a great book. I recommended it to my wife and she enjoyed it very much as well.
I did struggle with the first chapter. I wasn't sure I would like the book after that. But it grows and draws you in. When I finished, I went back and reread the first chapter. It was different, better, knowing who everyone was. But I also realized that it was told in first person voice by Yolanda. It is the only chapter that is and I don't know why. It makes it seem that the story is about her. But the real arc of the story concerns the whole family and the Home Place that is the setting at beginning and end.
It's a great book. I recommended it to my wife and she enjoyed it very much as well.
_dani_ellie_'s review
3.0
I liked the writing style and the time jumps, but I wanted more pieces of the story. It got a bit confusing at times!
ash_ton's review against another edition
4.0
Let me start off by saying I did like this book. A lot more than I was expecting to, because I didn't entirely know what it was about. Not to be that person, but when my professor assigned this book to us, why didn't she give us a trigger warning?
Spoiler
Lucy literally slits her wrist(s?) open and dies. She commits suicide. I know it's also a spoiler technically, but I think there's ways around that. Like, oh, there's mention of self harm and suicide. Idk.botanbibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved this book, but I was left wanting more. The chapters could be really short.
emzireads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Death
tanzimerritt's review
5.0
Just beautiful. Crystal has such a way with words. I enjoyed every moment.