I don't usually do well with epic multi-generational stories, they tend to move on too fast, once you get to know a character you leave them, there's no intimacy with the individuals themselves. This one, however, is very well done and a great mix of a family's life and the history they lived through, seen through the lens of the music they love.

Talking to my buddy reader, Biscuit, about the novel, I realized that Some Sing, Some Cry would have benefited from cutting out the last two generations, which are the ones not fully realized. If the authors had circled around to continue following Lizzie while keeping track of her sister, Elma, who is raising Lizzie’s baby, Cinnamon, the novel would have been more interesting in the end. This is not to say I recommend against Some Sing, Some Cry. You should read it for the excellent setting, characters, historical perspectives, and (for me) an introduction to the Gullah people. However, prepare yourself for an ending that has to wrap up and drag a bit, because what saga doesn’t?

Check out the full review at Grab the Lapels.

I would give this book a 3.5 if I could. This book is an epic, exploring seven generations of Mayfield women as from the lens of music. I listened to the book and I'm sure that impacted the score I gave it. The reader sang whenever the lyrics of a song were provided in the text (most songs were original compositions by the authors). The singing added texture to the story, but in some ways I felt it detracted from the overall impact the music might have had on me had I read the lyrics. There was no room for the voices to change and grow through time--this, of course is not the fault of the reader, but just a limitation of an audiobook. One advantage of the audiobook is that it included an interview with the authors. I had no idea that Ntozake Shange suffered two strokes during the writing of the book. The fact that she was able to recover and complete the project is remarkable, but the setback makes some of the disjointedness of the story understandable. Also, the sisters split up the chapters, each writing half. This could also be a contributing factor to the lack of continuity and plot gaps I felt. As the authors note in the interview, like all epics, with this book each of the sections could have been a novel in itself. Overall, worth reading, I think.

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This was such a great book for me to read. This book follows seven generations of a Black American family dealing with issues of slavery, the Reconstruction, WWI, the Depression, WWII, the Vietnam War, and then the 21st Century.

This is a lyrical novel which I loved. This novel tells the story of American music and our connection to it. Music has been a part of our culture and social events since its invention. As someone that feels very connected to music, I enjoyed the link the Mayfield family had to it.

“Music is just another way of keepin up with livin. Nothin wrong with that!”

The authors drew on many iconic figures. The connection of Bessie Smith and Josephine Baker were my personal favorites. I enjoyed the connection to the actual figures to their fictional characters.

As a daughter, I thought the stories of the relationship between mothers and daughters was well done. I enjoyed how the relationships were messy and at times strained. It was natural and normal. I enjoyed exploring who the effects of slavery and racism effected the different generations. Each one of these ladies had a real thing to cry and be sad about, but everyone tries to figure out how to have something to sing about.

I really liked the fact that this book is actually written by two sisters. They each wrote four of the eight sections of this book. After a while, I could see the difference in tone and type of writing. Although both were enjoyable sometimes the switch was quite jarring.

I feel like I've made a MIGHTY accomplishment! Each generation of Mayfield women were related by more than just music, in my opinion. It seemed like their relationships with one another mirrored, and their relationships with men mirrored. The book was informative and inspirational. Before you sit down to read it, I would have a dictionary nearby as well as a lot of time on your hands. While it was a good read, it definitely was not entirely an easy read. At the end of it all, however, it was worth it. As I read the book, I pictured a musical. Music was infused in the story and the telling of the story. I could see this book being adapted into a play from the porches of South Carolina to the streets of New York.

My thoughts on this wonderful book can be found here
https://youtu.be/1_Fc1bcUTfs

This book is beautiful. I listened to it on audiobook as I heard it was best that way. I also think Robin Miles is an amazing narrator. 7 generations of family from the end of slavery to today. Such amazing joyful highs and heartbreaking lows with the music to match. I think I spent most of the last hour and a half of it crying. Also found the interview with the authors to be interesting as well. Definitely worth a read or listen!