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Sugar

The addictive Richard and Judy book club pick

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Sugar

By: Bernice L. McFadden
Narrated by: Myra Lucretia Taylor
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Young and confident, with a swagger in her step, Sugar arrives in the small southern town of Bigelow with the hope of starting over. Soon Bigelow is alight with gossip and suspicion, and Sugar fears she can't hide from her past. Until, that is, she meets Pearl, her next-door neighbour. Over sweet-potato pie, an unlikely friendship begins, transforming both women's lives - and the life of an entire town.

Vividly bringing 1950s Deep South America to life, with its flowering magnolia trees, lingering scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, and white picket fences that keep strangers out - but ignorance and superstition in, Sugar takes us on a journey through loss and suffering to a place of forgiveness, understanding, and grace.

© Bernice McFadden 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 20th Century African American Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural United States Women's Fiction World Literature Friendship
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Critic Reviews

Sugar follows expertly crafted characters as they wade through grief, sexism, and the bitter judgement of the 1950s Deep South with warmth and heart. Sugar is a page-turning novel guaranteed to be looked back on as a timeless classic
Riveting...searing (Toni Morrison (on Bernice McFadden))
This book is so engaging and beautiful and intriguing and satisfying that I could not put it down (Tarana Burke)
McFadden works a kind of miracle - not only do her characters retain their appealing humanity; their story eclipses the bonds of history to offer continuous surprises . . . Beautiful and evocative (Jesymn Ward)
Sugar was a masterful debut, an electrifying and profoundly realized addition to African American women's literary fiction. And importantly, Sugar introduced us to the brilliant author, Bernice L. McFadden, who would bring forth The Book of Harlan, Gathering of Waters, Glorious, and Nowhere is a Place. (Sapphire)
A literary explosion...McFadden reveals amazing talent
An earthy slice of life in a small Southern town... A novel of friendship and loss
Strong and folksy storytelling...think Zora Neale Hurston...Sugar speaks of what is real
All stars
Most relevant
I LOVE Bernice Mcfaddens work I still think about “Harlem” multiple times a week and all her other work is fabulous. I did enjoy “Sugar” loved the ending it was raw, honest upsetting and very normal. However it did take me a little while before I really got into the book. The beginning was slow but I am happy I stuck with it.

Overall great

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