Originally published in the US back in 2011, Tayari Jones’ Silver Sparrow has been released here in the UK on the heels of Jones’ 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction triumph. I wasn’t entirely sure I’d read it, not having been quite as impressed with An American Marriage as the judges, but its premise is an intriguing one: two teenage sisters become friends but only one knows that they share the same father. Hard to resist that.
James Witherspoon is a bigamist. Married to Laverne when she was pregnant at just fourteen, he stood up before a judge ten years later with Gwen, the woman he’d met when buying Laverne’s anniversary present. Fully aware of what they were doing, Gwen had been determined to give their daughter Dana some sort of legitimacy. Chaurisse was born four months after Dana, a longed-for child whose brother had been stillborn. These two grow up in very different circumstances: Chaurisse the child of parents proud of their success after a rocky start; Dana’s deeply resentful mother taking her on spying trips spent sneering at their less attractive but more secure counterparts. Every Wednesday, James and the man he regards as his brother, come to visit Gwen and Dana, Raleigh carrying a flame for Gwen. As the girls grow up, their worlds begin to overlap much to James’ apprehension, until they meet in the local mall as if by accident, one knowing a great deal about the other, both lonely in their own way. Chaurisse is flattered by the attention of this pretty girl but sometimes puzzled by her cageyness. What ensues will trigger aftershocks felt for years to come.
I lived in a world where you could never want what you wanted out in the open
Jones explores themes of family, trust, honesty and identity through Dana and Chaurisse, as first one then the other tells their story, neatly balancing her novel. Given the Oprah-like set up, it could easily have descended into soap opera but Jones is much too skilled for that, sidestepping turning James into a monster although men don’t come out of this novel too well. The web of lies and deceit ensnares even Raleigh, the most loyal of men, making him complicit and dishonest.
The six of us were hog-tied, fastened in place by different knots
Richly complex, peopled with a cast of nuanced characters, Jones’ book steers clear of judgement treating its subject with compassion and empathy while injecting a slim vein of dry humour into each of her narratives, even at the most poignant of moments. I enjoyed An American Marriage but, for me, Silver Sparrow is the better novel. I’m hoping that Jones’ other two backlist titles will appear here in the UK if this one meets with the success it deserves.
Oneworld Publications: London 2020 9781786077967 368 pages Hardback
This sounds super interesting. I love the idea of a novel that looks at family in a different way! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! It’s a very clever idea.
This appeals to me a lot more than An American Marriage Susan, one to keep an eye out for
Although I thought An American Marriage was good, I thought this one was better, Cathy.
I’m so glad to read this review – I also wasn’t as impressed with An American Marriage as I had thought I would be (it was good, but not quite what I’d hoped for), but I’m definitely going to be giving this one a try.
An American Marriage wasn’t my first choice for the Women’s Prize, I have to admit! I hope you enjoy this one if you decide to read it.
It’s so interesting to hear that you rate this more highly than An American Marriage. That’s very reassuring to know! I’m also very grateful for your characteristically thoughtful review, particularly as I’m unlikely to get around to reading the book myself. Now I know how to advise any customers who might be interested in reading it, especially given the boost to this author’s profile over the past 12 months.
Thank you, Jacqui, and happy to hear it might help you out in the shop.
As you know I wasn’t enamoured by An American Marriage. This sounds stronger though I doubt I will get around to reading. It. Too many other options….
I think you can safely leave this one on the shelf, Karen!
Phew, what a relief. That’s one down, eleven billion (at a conservative estimate) still to go…
On the bright side, should we go into lockdown you’ll have lots to keep you occupied!
I’ve just this morning treated myself to this book having read your review and spotting signed copies in my local bookshop!
Very pleased to hear that, Annabel, and even more so that you bought it from your local indie. I’m sure they need all the support they can get now and over the next few months.
This does sound really compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed An American Marriage so I shall probably try and get to this one too. A very different kind of family drama in this novel by the sound of it.
It’s such a clever premise, and an entirely credible one. I’ll be interested to see which you prefer when you’ve read both, Ali.
I’ve still not got round to An American Marriage but this actually sounds a lot more appealing. Your review made me think of Andrea Levy’s Never Far From Nowhere, which I really should re-read!
I’d say this one’s better. That’s not a Levy I know. Thanks so much for mentioning it. On the list it goes!
It’s not Levy’s strongest (I think it was her second novel), but definitely an interesting read,
I struggled with An American Marriage. Happy to see I am not the only one. Do men get convicted of rape on the basis of absolutely no evidence except the victim saying ‘ I would have known him anywhere’? I know wrongful convictions happen all the time but I couldn’t get past this.
It felt like a response to a very different state of race relations to the one we have here in the UK, not that that’s perfect. That said, I much prefered Silver Sparrow.