I can't wait to read this!
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Those who value family above all else cannot be expected to understand the all-consuming desire by many women to become fully functioning, self-supporting adults through the pursuit of a college education followed by a career - considered to be admirable goals in relation to males.
For many, full-time child rearing reduces a woman’s every day to thankless drudgery seldom expected of men while accompanied by that special pain of watching the world pass them by.
Thank you, Ms. Woodson, for telling my story. Despite accomplishments against all odds, women like Iris brave life-long disapproval and shaming, as displayed by certain commenters of this book review, rather than risk an utter loss of self.
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One of my medical providers became pregnant while at university. She was from a low-income family. She was an immigrant. She was not white. She kept her child and stayed in school to provide for that child. And it was very, very difficult for her.
Babies are not youthful mistakes to be tossed aside for bright, shiny things. Not even the best writing can make this story joyful.
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As a longtime fan, I remember having to compose myself while reading some of her books to my children, when they were very young - as I often found myself suddenly crying. As a neighbor, who knows her only superficially and who runs into her occasionally in the deli, I always walk away feeling that she possesses much more than brilliance or talent, but rather as someone below noted - a truly extraordinary capacity for empathy for everyone. Hopefully, this book will do for her reputation what many people have expected for more than a decade now; establish Ms. Woodson as one of the most important voices in American Fiction.
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"when a girl and a boy in high school, Iris and Aubrey, become pregnant."
How did the boy become pregnant? It's a miracle!
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@abstract668 It makes more sense to think of it this way than everyone behaving as though the mother is the only responsible party.
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I didn't think "Another Brooklyn" could be matched in its power and art. I was wrong. "Red at the Bone" may be even better. One of the best novels I've read in many, many years.
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Careless conception compounded by careless disregard for family in the face of ambition.
I think I'll pass on reading this.
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@Barbara
Your loss, most likely. Good fiction is not necessarily either safe or comfortable for the reader.
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@Barbara, I find your comment interesting. The girl in the story doesn't become pregnant from immaculate conception I'm sure, so her boyfriend had something to do with it.
And the review mentions that the main character decides against abortion, even in the face of her family's disapproval - isn't this what the entire pro-life community wants to see happen?
Furthermore, the baby's father seems to be 100% fully engaged in the baby's life and adores her.
The truth of life is pretty messy, isn't it? Not all pregnancies are planned or wanted, and sometimes MOTHERS are the ones who want to leave. Contrary to what society wants us to believe parenting is hard work, and not every woman wants to be a mother. At the same time, there are lots of me who would gladly be a FT dad that aren't given a full chance because they're expected to be the breadwinners and put ambition above family.
It appears this book turns that notion on it's head - so the question you might want to ask yourself is why are you upset that dad loves, takes care of and protects his child, all while working a fairly mundane job, but it's not okay for mom to want more?
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This sounds incredibly nuanced, I can't wait to read Red at the Bone! From this review alone I'm already imagining selecting actors, a director and a music score befit to portray just the right mix of complex emotional yearnings vs tender satisfactions.
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Woodson does a remarkable job of giving each character space, respect and the chance to catch hold of our hearts. Nothing is simple, no one is slighted. Masterful writing by a brilliant, empathic author.
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@KariT Red at the Bone sounds psychologically fascinating and moving. I can't wait to read. I can't believe I have missed this author and her prior work. I didn't know the name when I read this article this morning. Sounds like she writes in a profound way.
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