This is primarily a novel of grief, although it does a wonderful job of exploring race relations, particularly between women of color. Taking place across two continents, the book reads like an autobiography or a diary instead of a work of fiction. It's not told in a traditional style, which I found both intriguing and sometimes off-putting. It draws in real events, photos, charts, and more to illustrate points, and has been described as being told in a "stream of consciousness" style of writing. I read an article about the author and many of the events her fictional character Thandi experiences are based on her own life, such as the illness and loss of her mother while she was a college student. It's a compelling read and the author has a very unique voice.

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