7/6/2023 0 Comments The songs of web duboisIt was here that I felt the odd twinge of frustration, especially in Ailey’s college years and her response to American academia. This author loves detail and this is most evident in Ailey’s account which is so closely observed and meticulous in its detail. This is a long book, however, and it does at time sprawl which can place demands on the reader. The historical narrative is powerful, beautifully written and impressive. A family tree at the front of the book is vital as one narrative begins with the Native American inhabitants of the land moving to the rise of the plantation and slavery moving through the generations slowly slotting things into place as Ailey begins her own studies of her family history. It is both an epic saga taking in generations of an African American family from Chicasetta, Georgia and in a parallel first-person narrative an intimate, unflinching study of the youngest member Ailey, focusing in very close detail on her upbringing and academic studies. Attracting much critical acclaim in the US and an Oprah Book Club pick which ensures high sales this is a big book in terms of size and themes, coming in at just under 800 pages and an extraordinary debut from an award-winning poet.
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