A review by cemeterygay
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

It is a beautifully complicated look into both surviving a cult and government infiltration into black radical movements and the real impacts this has into their survivors by following Vern's journey as both a person and mother. While a deeply heavy read between the commentary and beautiful prose, I could not recommend this book enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Additional CW: Hallucinations, non-consensual drugging, forced sterilization, teen pregnancy, graphic childbirth, death of a child (and infant), drowning, poisoning, cult.