Reviews with content warning for Racism - Promise

This story is a good reminder that in 1950s America significant acts of racism including police harassment, and threats to their life and livelihood were not confined to the South. It’s set in a small town in Maine where there are just two Black families, and is narrated by 13 year old Cinthy. While the level of violence is far from the worst I’ve read there was something about the cold, conniving, calculated cruelty that the Black families faced, the way white people conspired against them, which made this a particularly hard read. I hate it when children lose their innocence so this book really got to me in that regard. It was beautifully written and I loved the way the love, strength and support of the Kindred and Junkett families shone through. The character of Ruby, a white girl who was once friends with Cinthy’s sister, was complex, complicated and nuanced. My heart was broken by the abuse she suffered, but equally broken, as well as infuriated and horrified by the abuse she perpetrated.

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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