Book Review: Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

 

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"You only lie to people you love."

Dana Lynn Yarboro is the daughter of a bigamist. Her father, James Witherspoon, is a chauffeur living in 1980s Atlanta. James has a secret: Dana. Born as his illegitimate daughter to a woman he wedded illegally, Dana has grown up most of her life hidden from James' actual family, his first wife Lorraine and their daughter, Chaurisse Witherspoon.

Silver Sparrow is a coming of age story focussing on the unique dynamic between two intertwined African-American families as their daughters wind their way into each other's lives. The story centers on two half-sisters, one who is unaware that the other exists. Despite their father's efforts to keep them apart, this story proves that the truth will always come out, no matter how ugly it is.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Every line is so beautifully written and the characters are both wholesome and nuanced. I gravitated towards the dynamic between Dana and her mother; they have such a complex relationship, full of love, mistakes, anger and support. 

The author excellently portrays both sisters as they grow up and their own distinct relationship with their father. Each has her own set of obstacles and fears. The stark contrast between their lives, Dana's jealousy over Chaurisse being the 'chosen' daughter and Chaurisse's hurt and betrayal over her father's actions, makes for a tragic and compelling read.

What I really appreciate in this book is that nobody is a hero, and nobody is completely innocent. Each character has their flaws; this makes the narrative feel both complex and real. The two sisters were never in control of their own lives, and eventually their parent's decisions affect them in ways that they cannot fathom.

I highly recommend this book to anybody who is a fan of bittersweet family dramas.