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lattelibrarian's review
5.0
I recently finished this book for a class I'm in, and wow is it something. I'll be up front and honest, I was a little speculative about beginning this, not really sure what it was going to be like, having only read adult black literature, but it's something to behold. It's constantly in conversation with the idea of the black aesthetic, and remains to me as a definition of Afrocentricity.
This book finds ways to discuss aging and getting older, becoming a woman, from topics such as beauty, school, friends, boys, and trust. As Rainbow grows both further and closer to Miss Josephine, her struggles get harder as well--the more she comes to terms with Miss Josephine, the more she comes to the realization that she has no idea where her mother could possibly be. Even so, she remains as positive as she can, though that positivity looks like trouble in some adults' eyes.
Alice Childress has mentioned before that she doesn't write about the entirety of the 'black experience,' but can only write about one experience at a time. I think she does that especially well here in Rainbow Jordan, as she doesn't make anything too overbearing or too heartwrenching. It just is, and I appreciate that.
Review cross-listed here!
This book finds ways to discuss aging and getting older, becoming a woman, from topics such as beauty, school, friends, boys, and trust. As Rainbow grows both further and closer to Miss Josephine, her struggles get harder as well--the more she comes to terms with Miss Josephine, the more she comes to the realization that she has no idea where her mother could possibly be. Even so, she remains as positive as she can, though that positivity looks like trouble in some adults' eyes.
Alice Childress has mentioned before that she doesn't write about the entirety of the 'black experience,' but can only write about one experience at a time. I think she does that especially well here in Rainbow Jordan, as she doesn't make anything too overbearing or too heartwrenching. It just is, and I appreciate that.
Review cross-listed here!
rld_8's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.75
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