‘Red at the Bone’
Book Review
- Author: Jacqueline Woodson
- Pages: 196
- Published: 2019 (Riverhead Books)
- Themes: Family History/Tragedy, Black Love, Colorism, Classism, Black History, LGBTQ+
I will start by stating that this book was almost a DNF for me. Not because I wasn’t interested, not at all… I spent a lot of time neglecting ‘Red at the Bone’ by Jacqueline Woodson due to the fact that it was such a heavy read.
As some of you know, I am recovering from a serious injury. That paired with family stuff and just not being in the best headspace all the time, I was not prepared for the emotional toll that this novel was trying to take me on. So, I put it down, then picked it up. Put it down again, and picked it up once more.
Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of a bourgeoisie family and their issues with each other and, indirectly, themselves.
Woodson hits on issues of class and color within the Black community and how that affects our relationships with each other.
While most people were very interested in the women of this story:
-Melody, 16 year old daughter of Iris getting ready for her “coming out” to society;
-Iris, the daughter of Sabe who seems to want to press ‘reset’ on life;
-Cathy Marie, a fair-skinned black woman trying to make sure her family is given a fair shot and paternal-grandmother to Iris;
-and Sabe, a proper woman concerned with her families presentation and mother of Iris.
I found myself intrigued with the men and their circumstance. We have:
-Audrey, a confused and loving boy, who turns into a confused adult, Iris’ childhood lover and father of Melody;
-Po Boy, Sabe’s sweet husband and understanding father to Melody
-and Audrey’s father, whom we only know was an extremely talented and handsome musician that succumbed to drugs.
Relationships is probably the most prominent theme present in this story. Relationships between parents and their children, lovers, and the relationship one has with themselves.
I don’t want to give too much away, because I do believe that this book is an extremely important read for the Black Community, so I’ll just list a few questions that I had while reading this book. Some were answered and some were not.
- How does an obviously Black child, with a mother who is light enough to pass, perceive race?
- Why is it important to state events as they actually are and not what the media portrays them as (Assasination of MLK Jr. vs. Death of MLK Jr., Tulsa Massacre of 1921 vs. Tulsa Race Riot of 1921)?
- How is a man supposed to show his emotions (I’m all for men being open and honest with their emotions, this is something that came up in the story that I thought a lot of men probably think about, consciously or unconsciously)?
- Why don’t we talk enough about the male experience when it comes to a boys/mans first time?
- Why do Black people (generalization) feel the need to assimilate?
- Do Black folks, especially older Black folks, have an obsession with needing a strong foundation? Where does that stem from?
While not a long or completely in depth read on certain issues, I can’t express enough the importance of this book to the Black Community. I do believe that people of any race/background should read this as well. It may give others a glimpse of some of the internal struggles that Black Folks go through.
Of course, this review would not be complete without my choice of scent to go along with the book! I purchased ‘Golden Roses’ from Ajna Luxury Aromatherapy. The floral notes are not too sweet or overpowering and it left me feeling relaxed. I chose this scent because it gave a royal and warm vibe. I thought it was perfect to represent the family described in ‘Red at the Bone’.
Ajna Luxury Aromatherapy is a Female and Minority Owned Small Business based in Bronx, NY. You can purchase their ‘Golden Roses’ candle here!
Wondering about this dope piece of artwork? It was created by Amateur Art By Lee! You can find more of her work here!
Peace&&Blessings
T.C. Taylor
His Only 'Darling'
