There is one week left of Black History Month — the perfect amount of time to read a book! From an autobiographical letter to a lengthy historical fiction, we chose four books by talented Black authors to feature this February.
“An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones
“An American Marriage,” set in Atlanta, Georgia, explores the deep racial prejudice of the American criminal justice system and its heartbreaking effect on Celestial and Roy’s marriage. At the beginning of the novel, Roy is working as a marketing executive and Celestial is exploring an art career making dolls. Only a year and a half into their marriage, just as the newlyweds are settling into their lives, Roy is wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to 12 years in prison. As Roy’s time in prison passes, his emotional connection with Celestial suffers and their marriage begins to fall apart. Without her husband, Celestial feels desolate and turns to her childhood best friend, Andre, for comfort. However, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned and he is released from prison after only serving five years. When Roy returns home, his wife is with a new man, and his previous life feels like it was completely erased. Jones’ characters have impactful stories rooted in deep pain — they manipulate each other’s emotions and search to recreate feelings that they once experienced in their past.
— Siobhán Minerva, Deputy Arts Editor
“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates is an autobiographical letter written by Coates to his then-teenage son. It details the lessons he’s learned throughout his adulthood as a Black man in America and the morals he wishes his son to adopt in his life. Coates indirectly brings readers along through the story of his life, in the context of the paternal letter. For instance, he details his experiences in Chicago and the people he met during his childhood and adulthood who have shaped his viewpoint of the world. He theorizes and explains how institutions such as schools, the local police and the streets discipline, endanger and threaten to disembody Black men and women. It’s an exploration of how race interferes with gender, class and perception.
— Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer
“Passing” by Nella Larsen
Written and set during the Harlem Renaissance, “Passing” by Nella Larsen uncovers the secrets and hardships of Black society through the lens of a white-passing Black woman. Irene lives a cautious life, caring only about the stability of her middle-class livelihood and the safety of her family, but this normalcy is threatened by the arrival of a childhood friend named Clare. Described as especially white-passing and married to a white man, Clare appears to relish living in the liminal space between the white and Black communities, bending rules and social customs where she sees fit — but this comes with its own dangers. Irene can’t help but feel drawn to Clare, but she resents her all the same. Caught between divided loyalties, Irene must navigate the intersection of class and colorism, learning more about her own identity and role in society in the process. Irene tests how far Clare will go to have what she wants — learning how far she herself will go to protect what she has.
— Oshmi Ghosh, Contributing Writer
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
“The Color Purple” follows Celie as she navigates her separation from her sister, Nettie, and faces abuse from her father and husband. The story is written in letter format, first from Celie to God, and then between the sisters, allowing for a fast-paced read that conveys the characters’ distinct tones. While Celie is resilient, she struggles to advocate for herself, though she gradually learns to be assertive from the example set by other strong women in her life. While the content is heartbreaking, Celie’s character arc is inspiring.
Additionally, this story provides nuanced representation for the LGBTQ+ community through Celie’s complicated romantic relationship with her husband’s mistress. “The Color Purple” is a breathtaking exploration of the struggles and joys of Black LGBTQ+ women in the American South.
— Skylar Boilard, Staff Writer
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