Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

A buddy read for Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden will begin 7/17. This is the 20th anniversary for this book and a new edition has just been released with a foreword by Kimberly Elise.

http://www.bernicemcfadden.com/pages/...

I’m in. I’ve owned a copy for three or four years. McFadden always makes me cry, so sometimes I fear her novels, but it’s time for me to tackle Sugar, my fourth, because her wonderful writing.

Carol wrote: "I’m in. I’ve owned a copy for three or four years. McFadden always makes me cry, so sometimes I fear her novels, but it’s time for me to tackle Sugar, my fourth, because her wonderful writing."

Great, Carol. I’d like to know how this one measures up to the other books or vice versa I should say. My only comparison is to Praise Song for the Butterflies, which I enjoyed.

Our discussion for SUGAR will begin on the 17th. Who’s all in?

Let’s start discussing the first five chapters on the 17th. I’ll provide the rest of the schedule soon thereafter.

What's your favorite book by BM? Which ones have you read? Have you been to any of her book signings?

I’ve only read Praise Song for the Butterflies with this group and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it was on the Women’s Prize longlist if I’m not mistaken.

ColumbusReads wrote: "...I’ve only read Praise Song for the Butterflies with this group and thoroughly enjoyed it...."

Ditto!
See you on the 17th :-)

I’ve read Loving Donovan, Nowhere Is a Place and The Warmest December. My favorite is Nowhere Is a Place. Unfortunately, I’ve not had an opportunity to go to a book signing. That would be incredible.

I thought we had to start on7/7 . And Saving Ruby King on 8/8. So I am halfway through the book and I like it.
This is the first book of its kind that I have taken up this year because of personal problems and the pandemic of course.

Nidhi wrote: "I thought we had to start on7/7 . And Saving Ruby King on 8/8. So I am halfway through the book and I like it.
This is the first book of its kind that I have taken up this year because of personal ..."

Oh no, it’s 7/17. But, that’s ok Nidhi you’re ahead of us. We’ll catch up soon. We’ll be discussing the first 5 chapters when we meet up. See you then!

“There’s a little bit of hooker in every woman. A little bit of hooker and a little bit of God.”

A little bit of SUGAR, just a day away...

Chapter five ends with Miss Kravitz Shirley, the neighbor, asking Pearl about her new neighbor. Sugar is completely naked in her home and Shirley is aghast!

McFadden opens the book in a rather grim manner: “Jude was dead.” What did you think about the author choosing to open the book this way?

I was shocked at the sincere use of language, no embellishments just stark fact. This sincerity goes through the book.
I have never read a book contains such violence . The only book which I have read and comes near to Sugar is Alice Walker’s The Colour Purple.

Nidhi wrote: "I was shocked at the sincere use of language, no embellishments just stark fact. This sincerity goes through the book.
I have never read a book contains such violence . The only book which I have ..."

Nidhi, without giving much away such we are only discussing the first 5 chapters now. But, did that bother you? Did you think it is unnecessary to the story?

This is my second time reading this book and these opening five chapters are the only thing I remember from reading this book years ago.

Sugar is a striking figure arriving in Bigelow AR. She’s being judged by the townsfolk before she even arrives at 10 Groves St. She’s turning heads and there are whispers about her in the community. Why are they so vexed with her appearance?

No. I liked the book and gave it 5 stars. I was waiting for you all to finish and then ask if we’re going to read the next part, The Bitter Earth or shall I proceed . ( I know this decision will take time).

It would have disturbed me 20 years ago but now I am glad that such books are not banned. I am very loyal to authors and McFadden’s writing has impressed me, I have already added the book you all have praised.

ColumbusReads wrote: "This is my second time reading this book and these opening five chapters are the only thing I remember from reading this book years ago.

Sugar is a striking figure arriving in Bigelow AR. She’s be..."

I had forgotten or maybe was never aware that THIS BITTER EARTH was a continuation of SUGAR. This is a short book so I’m interested in reading and discussing it.

It is a powerful opening! I felt like McFadden ripped my heart out and stomped all over it. She's certainly an evocative writer!

I'm through Chapter 5 now. Should we set a rough schedule for the rest of the book, or just note where we are and use spoiler tags?

(Yay for reading buddies / buddy reads!)

Joelle.P.S wrote: "I'm through Chapter 5 now. Should we set a rough schedule for the rest of the book, or just note where we are and use spoiler tags?

(Yay for reading buddies / buddy reads!)"

I ‘ll set a schedule. What do you think of it so far? Is this your first book by the author?

Discuss through chap 10 July 22nd
Discuss through chap 15 July 25th

Entire book open July 27th

If anyone would like to discuss the entire book, just remember to place your comment behind a spoiler alert or indicate it at the beginning if the post.

The first 10 chapters are being discussed. In Chapter 10, Sugar arrives back in Short Junction after her stint in St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit. She finds out from Ruby, Sara and May that her mother had died four days after sending the letter. Of course, Sugar didn’t receive the letter til 4 years later after arriving back in St. Louis. That’s where we are now.

I finished the book (again) and must’ve forgotten how raw this book is. McFadden doesn’t hold back from the language (as Nidhi mentioned) and the depiction of sex and stuff. I’m not a prude in any sense but must’ve forgotten about this. Was this a turnoff for anyone or did you enjoy it because of it?

I picked up THIS BITTER EARTH from the library and looking forward to reading the further adventures of Sugar. Has anyone else read it? Who knows, I may go through her entire catalogue.

No, I didn’t enjoy the book, I read only classics for enjoyment. This book describes a world which I never knew existed. In India there is caste system in which lower caste suffers terribly ( physical mostly) I have read about them.
I was touched by Sugars’ desire to see her mother and to know why she abandoned her....so I want to know what happened next.

And I liked the way McFadden uses colours to describe Sugar ‘s personality.

Please fix a date for next part.

Just finished Chapter 15. Oh I'm really enjoying this! :-)

I am on chapter 9 and yes I am also enjoying it because it contains history of concerned families and I am very excited to see how things will turn out for a happy ending. (I ardently hope it will be happy ending for Sugar at least).

Nidhi wrote: "I was shocked at the sincere use of language, no embellishments just stark fact. This sincerity goes through the book.
I have never read a book contains such violence . The only book which I have ..."

Ruby by Cynthia Bond is another wonderful but harsh read.

I’m on page 100, in the middle of chapter 9, just as Sugar is preparing to celebrate Christmas with Mercy. One of the things I appreciate most about McFadden is her ability to create authentic characters who are children. Each and every young girl in this story behaves as a child in her circumstances would behave. So few authors of adult novels seem to be able to accomplish this.

I’m equally invested in Pearl and Sugar. McFadden’s ability to portray damaged women, and bring her readers close to them, almost from the first page, wows me once again. Sugar (this book) is not as dark as the other novels I’ve read of hers, and I am grateful for that.

Thanks for recommendation for Ruby, I like the description of the book.

Nidhi wrote: "Thanks for recommendation for Ruby, I like the description of the book."

It’s not perfect, but it is unforgettable. One not to miss.

I was immediately impressed with how McFadden handled both the husband character (Joe) and the relationship between Joe and Pearl. So real, loving.

ColumbusReads wrote: "I was immediately impressed with how McFadden handled both the husband character (Joe) and the relationship between Joe and Pearl. So real, loving."

IKR? and I buy Joe as a character, from the outset. he's a good man, but imperfect, with motivations that make sense. So far - he might be my favorite male character of McFadden's of all time, although I must say the bar is not high.

Carol wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "I was immediately impressed with how McFadden handled both the husband character (Joe) and the relationship between Joe and Pearl. So real, loving."

IKR? and I buy Joe as a c..."

Carol, I was going to inquire about the male characters in McFadden’s books but then thought better of it. From what you’ve read of her work, has it been more a case of her writing strong female characters and not focusing much on the male characters? Or, has the male characters not being written very well?

Bernice, just posted this to twitter.

Over a ten year period I received 76+ rejections letters for my debut novel SUGAR. As of 2020, SUGAR has been in print for 20 consecutive years. Moral of this story: Never give up.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Carol wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "I was immediately impressed with how McFadden handled both the husband character (Joe) and the relationship between Joe and Pearl. So real, loving."

IKR? and I ..."

I would say, neither. She focuses equally on male characters and they are nuanced and authentic. They also have matching five piece sets of baggage, and are generally as flawed as her female characters; however, sexual abuse and patriarchal systems are often on full display so.. inevitably male characters are responsible for a net large share of ugliness. In Loving Donovan, OTOH, it’s the main male character who is (view spoiler)[a victim of sexual abuse as a young boy and, hence, because he hasn’t gotten to a point where he is comfortable acknowledging that he needs help/therapy, he’s not prepared to be a good romantic partner to the female MC (or anyone else. (hide spoiler)]

ColumbusReads wrote: "Bernice, just posted this to twitter.

Over a ten year period I received 76+ rejections letters for my debut novel SUGAR. As of 2020, SUGAR has been in print for 20 consecutive years. Moral of this..."

Wow.

Carol wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Carol wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "I was immediately impressed with how McFadden handled both the husband character (Joe) and the relationship between Joe and Pearl. So real,..."

Oh, great. That’s good to know. After I sent that, I recalled her book, The Book Of Harlan, and how many people loved the characters in there. If I’m not mistaken many of them were male. Or maybe just the title character.

The entire book is open for discussion

I’m not sure I ever reread a book and enjoyed it substantially more the second time around. I originally gave this book 2* and didn’t enjoy it at all. But, for some strange reason i knew after a couple of chapters in, my views and rating on this book would change. I requested the follow-up to this one, This Bitter Earth, before I got halfway through the book. Really, really enjoyed it. My rating now? A high 4!

I was a few chapters from the end and (view spoiler)[ everyone was happy but I had such a sense of foreboding! (hide spoiler)]

Finished this arvo. Good book!

I finished. My net response is equal parts, it’s a helluva strong debut, and (view spoiler)[McFadden relied on way too many coincidences to drive an ending where almost everyone is destroyed. (hide spoiler)] Her later novels are more solidly in the literature category, amorphous as that is, to my mind. Also, I want to find the sequel soon. :)

I will continue to read at least one of her novels each year, but can’t bear to do so more frequently than annually because of the high risk of inviting overwhelming sadness into my soul. I’d also like to read a book of hers where a MC is permitted some happiness. I don’t need happy endings, but I’m also baffled that she seems to have a compelling need to make her characters suffer and turn their hopes and dreams into chalk. Her skill — her ability to make readers care deeply for her protagonists and then also powerfully depict their utter internal wretchedness is unparalleled.

I’m glad we read Sugar.