Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is serious
literary fiction. I can appreciate her writing, but I can’t say I liked the
story. And maybe it was a bit deep for me. I did find myself skimming.
From the cover blurb - an intimate portrait of a family and an epic
tale of hope and struggle. Sing, Unburied, Sing journeys through
Mississippi’s past and present examining ugly truths at the heart of the
American story and the power – and limitations – of family bonds.
I liked JoJo, the thirteen year old boy who’s trying to be a
man. His white father is being released from prison. His true role model is
Pops, his black grandfather. His white grandparents choose to not acknowledge
him. His mother, Leonie, is a druggie mess who loves JoJo and his baby sister,
but is selfish and inconsistent in her parenting. Leonie’s dead brother appears
to her in visions. JoJo also can see dead spirits and is guided by a young man
who died in prison. (Here’s where it gets heavy with some history burdens of
the Deep South weighing on his soul) All in all the book touches on fathers
and sons, legacies, violence, and love (cover blurb)
There are some powerful moments, and perhaps as I write this
review, I’m seeing the book in a more favorable light. It’s worthy of a deep
book club discussion. This is not easy breezy reading for escape. You’ve
been warned.
