... forthright prose and clear, insightful observations about experiencing and learning from trauma. The memoir reads almost like a novel, and each voice that emerges through the dialogue shimmers with complexity ... While the moments of racial and gender-based violence are difficult to read, the book ultimately promotes a sense of hope and healing.
... absolutely stunning ... cinematic detail and novelistic prose ... This memoir is an important read for several reasons. It shows how complex trauma shapes a person’s life and psychology ... It also shows how important public schools and libraries are as places to cultivate children’s creativity and intelligence, particularly for low-income and BIPOC children. And finally, in its portrayal of a Black family’s dynamic women, it offers a vibrant portrayal of survival and love.
... indelible ... Taylor’s narrative is peppered with canny and insightful reflections ... This powerful examination of survival and self-forgiveness is an emotional reckoning.
