Redwood Court is a character-driven memoir-like complicated family drama by a debut and “own voices” author, DéLana R.A. Dameron.

Redwood Court by DéLana R.A. Dameron

Genre/Categories/Setting: Fiction (historical fiction backstories), southern fiction, complicated family drama, racism and prejudice, coming-of-age, “own voices,” South Carolina

I’m linking up my review today with the #2024NewReleaseChallenge hosted by Davida @ The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary of Redwood Court:

Thanks #NetGalley @RandomHouse for a complimentary e ARC of #RedwoodCourt upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Redwood Court is about Mika’s family living in the black working-class suburb of Columbia, South Carolina in the 1990s. Young Mika is a thoughtful observer and careful listener and records her thoughts in a journal. The adults in the family work long hours at multiple jobs to provide for the family and take a yearly vacation. Grandparents hold the family and community together. This is the story of a hardworking American family chasing their dreams and overcoming challenges.

My Thoughts:

Themes

A theme of family (and friends like family) is at the heart of this complicated family drama. We learn about the grandparents who grew up in the Jim Crow South and who had a heart and the dedication for creating a healthy, thriving family and the vision for a close-knit, supportive community. Grandmother took on a leadership role in the community and shaped it into a caring and supportive neighborhood. Later, she helped care for her grandchildren and ensured that they felt a part of this caring community. Love for family is a strong theme that permeates the story.

“Mika, you sit at our feet all these hours and days, hearing us tell our tales, stories everyone in our family tells. You write ’em in your books and show everyone who we are.”

Point of View

A great deal of this poignant story is told from Mika’s point of view. She is likable, insightful, smart, and determined. The story ends just as Mika might step into her bright future. The narrative feels very much like a memoir, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the author didn’t draw from her own childhood experiences and family for this tenderly told story.

Intimate Family Portrait

This is a character-driven story with the family and community as important characters. Mika loves her family and we applaud the support she receives. In this heartfelt story, we see how family and “friends like family” can make all the difference. Even though the family is not perfect, Mika feels loved, safe, and seen.’ can make all the difference. Even though the family is not perfect, Mika feels loved, safe, and seen.

Recommending Redwood Court

I recommend Redwood Court for fans of “own voices” literature, for readers who appreciate heartfelt and compelling stories of family and community, and for those who want to support “own voices” debut authors.

My Rating: 4   Stars

Meet the Author of Redwood Court, Délana R.A. Dameron

DéLana R. A. Dameron is an artist whose primary medium is storytelling. Dameron is a graduate of New York University’s MFA program in poetry and holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her debut poetry collection, How God Ends Us, was selected by Elizabeth Alexander for the 2008 South Carolina Poetry Book Prize, and her second collection, Weary Kingdom, was chosen by Nikky Finney for the Palmetto Poetry Series. Her work has appeared in the Kweli Journal, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. Dameron is the founder of Saloma Acres, a 22.5-acre equestrian and cultural playspace; Red Olive Culture Commons, a boutique fundraising consulting agency; and Black Art Futures Fund, a philanthropic initiative supporting small and community-based Black arts organizations. She currently lives in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

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QOTD:

Is Dameron’s debut on your TBR or have you read it?

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