The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West –320 pages
ARC from Park Row and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West: Sara King has nothing, save for her secrets and the baby in her belly, as she boards the bus to Memphis, hoping to outrun her past in Chicago. She is welcomed with open arms by Mama Sugar, a kindly matriarch and owner of the popular boardinghouse The Scarlet Poplar. Like many cities in early 1960s America, Memphis is still segregated, but change is in the air. News spreads of the Freedom Riders. Across the country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. are leading the fight for equal rights. Black literature and music provide the stories and soundtrack for these turbulent and hopeful times, and Sara finds herself drawn in by conversations of education, politics and a brighter tomorrow with Jonas, a local schoolteacher. Romance blooms between them, but secrets from Mama Sugar’s past threaten their newfound happiness with Sara and Jonas soon caught in the crosshairs, leading Sara to make decisions that will reshape the rest of their lives.
My Review: 4.5 stars
The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West is an incredible story that focuses on community, trust, motherhood, race, trauma and faith (or the lack thereof). I had read West’s earlier book Saving Ruby King, which actually has connecting characters. I didn’t realize it at first, so I can assure you that this book can be read as a standalone.
The book is set in Memphis after Sara, the main protagonist, leaves Chicago, pregnant and angry. West was able to get across her feelings and emotions with poignancy and grace. Even the hard things, like trauma, abuse, post-partum depression and grief were handled with care.
Her new life working with Mama Sugar is her salvation and I could smell the biscuits and pies baking. We all need a Mama Sugar in our life, someone to tell it like it is, but wraps it in a cocoon of love.
One of the strengths in the book was West’s character building of the misfits at the boardinghouse. They were multi-dimensional with layers of goodness and pain. There was a good amount of tension in the book which kept me turning the pages with fury. I will absolutely be adding this author to my list of auto-buy authors. Great storyteller and excellent with the written word.
Quotes I liked:
Wishing is for children and I haven’t been a child for a long time.”
“I don’t hate anyone, Sara. Not white people. Not my momma’s husband. Not my Momma. Nobody. If I hate, I’m giving up one set of chains for another. Hating is a habit. Like loving is. And I make it a p oint to never take on bad habits if I can.”
“…mercy is in short supply. Giving a little of it, surely means you can find some yourself you’re in need of it.”
“But grief and loss don’t go by a calendar, and they really don’t give a damn about your sanity or your schedule.”
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