The Darkest Child
A new edition of this award-winning modern classic, with an introduction by Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), an excerpt from the never before seen follow-up, and discussion guide.
Pakersfield, Georgia, 1958: Thirteen-year-old Tangy Mae Quinn is the sixth of ten fatherless siblings. She is the darkest-skinned among them and therefore the ugliest in her mother, Rozelleās, estimation, but sheās also the brightest. Rozelleābeautiful, charismatic, and light-skinnedāexercises a violent hold over her children. Fearing abandonment, she pulls them from school at the age of twelve and sends them to earn their keep for the household, whether in domestic service, in the fields, or at āthe farmhouseā on the edge of town, where Rozelle beds local men for money.
But Tangy Mae has been selected to be part of the first integrated class at a nearby white high school. She has a chance to change her life, but can she break from Rozelleās grasp without ruinousāeven fatalāconsequences?
Pakersfield, Georgia, 1958: Thirteen-year-old Tangy Mae Quinn is the sixth of ten fatherless siblings. She is the darkest-skinned among them and therefore the ugliest in her mother, Rozelleās, estimation, but sheās also the brightest. Rozelleābeautiful, charismatic, and light-skinnedāexercises a violent hold over her children. Fearing abandonment, she pulls them from school at the age of twelve and sends them to earn their keep for the household, whether in domestic service, in the fields, or at āthe farmhouseā on the edge of town, where Rozelle beds local men for money.
But Tangy Mae has been selected to be part of the first integrated class at a nearby white high school. She has a chance to change her life, but can she break from Rozelleās grasp without ruinousāeven fatalāconsequences?
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Community Reviews
This book is full of generational trauma in the backdrop of segration in the rural South. Has unexpected turns and twists and was at times, very hard to continue reading due to trauma. This book tells the story of a large family filled with abuse and sexual exploitation of minors in a time when there was no Child Protective Services. It highlights the variable way individuals deal with trauma. Very heavy reading but delves into incredible themes that will definitely have you thinking long after the book ends.
That mama so evil and crazy. I would have loved to have a part two but the author passed away unfortunately.
Hunting book set in small southern town before the town had started following the integration laws that had been past. The main character pulls at your heart and draws you in as she is her momās ādarkest childā and the smartest child. The books follows her from 14-17 years old. I wish I clould have more of her story, I want to know what happens to her.
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