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A review by bookdragon217
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown has my entire heart. This was such an emotional read, and it resonated with me on a personal level. Katia is a caregiver in every aspect of her life at the detriment to herself, and I relate to this so much. I felt so seen as a social worker, a daughter, mother, friend, and wife. Black women have to be so strong all the time, but when do they get to be happy and just experience all that life has to give? My heart ached for Katia because she was so used to being everything for everyone that when the opportunities presented for her to accept help and support, she just wouldn't allow herself too. She was always worried about how to show up for others. I just wanted her to get to the place where a soft life was waiting for her.
If you've read Jackson-Brown before, then you know her historical fiction hits every single time. Her writing style is engaging and emotional and her characters stay with you long after her stories are done. Peewee and Chad gripped me from the beginning, and I grew so protective of them. No children should ever have to experience all that they had to endure at their age. I also appreciated how this story was so different from the author's previous work. It was still at its core historical fiction but it focused more on the themes than history. It was a deep dive into the failures of foster care system, PTSD in veterans, addiction and trauma, internalized anti-blackness, especially when it pertains to natural hair, the strong Black woman trope, faith and motherhood.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
• "Children belong in safe places."
• "Integration didn't equal fair treatment."
• "I understood more and more why the two of them had bonded. Pain recognized pain."
• "He needs to tell his story to you and his sister. That is how we heal. Silence is what kills us slowly."
If you love stories with incredible writing and a plot that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, then grab a copy for yourself and a bookish friend. Thank you to @harpermuse @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
If you've read Jackson-Brown before, then you know her historical fiction hits every single time. Her writing style is engaging and emotional and her characters stay with you long after her stories are done. Peewee and Chad gripped me from the beginning, and I grew so protective of them. No children should ever have to experience all that they had to endure at their age. I also appreciated how this story was so different from the author's previous work. It was still at its core historical fiction but it focused more on the themes than history. It was a deep dive into the failures of foster care system, PTSD in veterans, addiction and trauma, internalized anti-blackness, especially when it pertains to natural hair, the strong Black woman trope, faith and motherhood.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
• "Children belong in safe places."
• "Integration didn't equal fair treatment."
• "I understood more and more why the two of them had bonded. Pain recognized pain."
• "He needs to tell his story to you and his sister. That is how we heal. Silence is what kills us slowly."
If you love stories with incredible writing and a plot that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, then grab a copy for yourself and a bookish friend. Thank you to @harpermuse @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.