Kin is a complicated family drama and the compelling story of two lifelong, motherless friends.

Kin by Tayari Jones

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, African-American Literature, Diverse Read, Grandmother/Mothers/Daughters, Friendship, Complicated Family Drama, Louisiana and Memphis

***This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @Knopf @PantheonBooks for a complimentary eARC of #Kin upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Vernice (Niecy) and Annie are two motherless girls who were raised by their kin. Vernice’s father killed her mother and turned the gun on himself when she was very young, and Annie’s mother abandoned her. As close as sisters when they were young, they went their separate ways as young adults. Vernice went to Spelman College while Annie ran away in search of her mother. They write letters to keep in touch, but will they rediscover their childhood bond when tragedy strikes?

My Thoughts:

Themes

This riveting and multi-layered story includes some heavy themes including grieving the loss of a mother, mother/daughter relationship, surrogate mothers, sisterhood, childhood trauma, abandonment, racism, injustice, community, domestic violence, loss, friendship, and kin.

Mothers

How does growing up without a mother impact the lives of two girls? How do these girls deal with the grief and abandonment? Can relatives and surrogate mothers fill the void?

Character-driven

Through dual viewpoints, we follow the complicated lives of Vernice and Annie. They refer to themselves as “cradle friends,” and we see how the loss of their mothers affects the course of their lives and their relationships. Vernice was raised by her aunt, was devastated when Annie left (another abandonment), and had the determination to get herself enrolled at Spelman. She is thoughtful, serious, and a rule follower. Annie was raised by her grandmother. and is driven by the desperate need to find her mother. She is impulsive and doesn’t have a well-developed plan. In their young adult years, Vernice and Annie both find surrogate mother figures who help them in various ways. It’s a tragedy that eventually reunites them, and they embrace the bonds of sisterhood and the true meaning of kin. Even though there’s plenty of action to move the story forward, the central focus is on these two complex and unique characters and their deep connection.

Content Consideration: murder, abandonment, childhood trauma, risky behaviors

Recommending Kin:

Fans of Tayari Jones, diverse reads, and compelling character-driven historical fiction will want to add Kin to their TBRs. Content warnings apply (see StoryGraph for a comprehensive list).

Related: An American Marriage by the same author

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here

Meet the Author of Kin, Tayari Jones

Tayari Jones is the author of five novels including Kin and An American Marriage- which was an Oprah’s Book Club pick. She lives in Atlanta.

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QOTD:

Do you have Kin on your TBR?

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