Red at the Bone: A Novel

Moving forward and backward in time, Jacqueline Woodson's taut and powerful new novel uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of the new child. As it explores sexual desire and identity, ambition, gentrification, education, class and status, and the life-altering facts of parenthood, Red at the Bone most strikingly looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives--even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be.

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224 pages

Average rating: 7.21

214 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

hideTurtle
Mar 25, 2025
9/10 stars
She felt red at the bone. Like there was something inside of her undone and bleeding. Beautiful writing. Relatable. Eye-opening. Heartbreaking. Raw. A reminder that there are different kinds of black Americans.
Anonymous
Dec 12, 2024
8/10 stars
“She felt red at the bone—like there was something inside of her undone and bleeding”

I liked that the plot—while disjointed—made perfect sense. the pieces of this family fit neatly in each others’ hands even if they couldn’t see that. all a little longing, all a little lost, all looking after one another (or wanting to) the only ways they know how. red at their bones
stackedlibrarian
Dec 11, 2024
8/10 stars
Woodson says so much with so little words. And her writing is so universal yet specific. She just kills me.
spoko
Oct 21, 2024
10/10 stars
Really gorgeously written. If you're at all one of those people who needs a good plot, don't bother even picking this book up. I can barely remember anything that happened, but the characters' inner lives are drawn in rich, luscious detail. And by the way, I highly recommend the audiobook on this one. The author (narrator), Peter Francis James (Po' Boy), Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Sabe), and Shayna Small (Iris) are each wonderful.
Cathy W.
Aug 28, 2024
8/10 stars
Well written and easy reading book with a powerful family story. The book title certainly does not "entice" the reader to select this book. Even after I understood the meaning of the title,, I felt a better title would have been more appropriate.

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