This beloved coming-of-age story set in Brooklyn during the Depression and World War II follows the life of Selina Boyce, the daughter of Caribbean immigrants. Author Danticat explores the novel's themes of identity, sexuality, and values as well as Selina's struggle against the racism and poverty surrounding her.
An unforgettable novel, written with pride and anger, with rebellion and tears. -- Herald Tribune Book ReviewPassionate, compelling . . . an impressive accomplishment. -- Saturday ReviewRemarkable for its courage, its color, and its natural control. -- The New Yorker
Selina's mother wants to stay in Brooklyn and earn enough money to buy a brownstone row house, but her father dreams only of returning to his island home. Torn between a romantic nostalgia for the past and a driving ambition for the future, Selina also faces the everyday burdens of poverty and racism. Written by and about an African-American woman, this coming-of-age story unfolds during the Depression and World War II. Its setting -- a close-knit community of immigrants from Barbados -- is drawn from the author's own experience, as are the lilting accents and vivid idioms of the characters' speech. Paule Marshall's 1959 novel was among the first to portray the inner life of a young female African-American, as well as depicting the cross-cultural conflict between West Indians and American blacks. It remains a vibrant, compelling tale of self-discovery.