I appreciate what Williams is trying to do here: articulate a theology that takes seriously the experience of black women using the story of Hagar as a starting point and combining theological reflection with literary criticism, historical analysis, and biblical studies. Overall, the theology she develops is challenging is and important, a critique of whiteness, black and South American liberation theologies, and feminist theology. Some of her critiques, however, I feel depart too far from what makes Christianity distinct. Her idea of redemption occurring not on the cross but rather through the overcoming of the temptation in the wilderness is concerning, and I'm unconvinced by her skepticism of "hero" narratives and the non-redemptive nature of suffering. I find her hermeneutic to be incredibly compelling, albeit flawed. Those critiques aside, Williams is doing something fascinating here, something that even after twenty years feels fresh and new and important.