A review by jenmcmaynes
Brown Girl, Brownstones by Paule Marshall

5.0

This book was described to me as a Barbados-American “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” And while I can certainly see the similarities, it is so much more raw and visceral and real than Smith’s classic coming of age story. It is the story of Selina Boyce and her struggles to find herself as a black American in post-WW II America. Her recently immigrated Barbados family and community both holds her up and pushes her down in this quest. The conflicts between her parents over land and property vs dreams were agonizing to read; Marshall is an amazing writer. As were the conflicts between her West Indian community and American blacks. An excellent, though not uplifting, book and highly recommended.