Acclaimed memoirist and poet asha bandele writes a startlingly honest work of fiction. Miriam Rivers tries to give her daughter Aya a good life, but also keeps her at an emotional distance. One tragic night while Aya is taking a jog, she is mistaken for a robber and shot. With her daughter fighting for her life, Miriam must open up and let herself face the feelings of the past and the present. ". the story that unfolds is searing, passionate, and intense." -Library Journal
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"One of the saddest, but truest books I've ever read! Read it with tissue in hand and the conscious acceptance of the swinging of the door to your heart when it comes flying open. " — Smithky (4 out of 5 stars)
"One of the saddest, but truest books I've ever read! Read it with tissue in hand and the conscious acceptance of the swinging of the door to your heart when it comes flying open. "
“My oldest daughter and I…had the same reaction; we think it’s the best book we’ve read in a long time…This story is compelling and powerful and meaningful and keeps you thinking.”
“This lyrical writer gives us another penetrating look at the endurance of love under harsh circumstances.”
“A provocative meditation…Bandele’s imagery is spare and effective…the kind of storytelling that resurrects lost family history.”
" Awesome book I reccomend all her books to any woman! "
" Hard and beautiful... "
" Searing! Soul stretching. "
" This is her first novel and to be honest its starting off a little slow for me. I waiting for it to gain some momentum and graduate past this somber mood. "
" Not for kids. Adult content & language "
" Some beautiful moments but not enough... "
" A little too bitter in my opinion, and some overgeneralizations. "
" Awesome book...haunting. I cried for a while after this one. "
" a good story my mom bought this for me - it totally made me cry in a good way "
" tragic beauty can be a captivating force "
" One of the saddest, but truest books I've ever read! Read it with tissue in hand and the conscious acceptance of the swinging of the door to your heart when it comes flying open. "
" Mother regrets that she did not take time to communicate with her only child. "
" This book was perfect when I was going through a rough time in my life. Completely changed my outlook on things and helped me cope. Bandele's fiction reads more like poetry. "
" Extremely intense, sad story. Beautifully written ending. "
Asha Bandele has authored two collections of poetry, an award-winning novel, and two memoirs, including the award-winning and best-selling The Prisoner’s Wife. A senior director at the Drug Policy Alliance, Asha has served as an editor at Essence Magazine, and has been honored with numerous awards for her journalism and activism. Asha lives in Brooklyn, where she is raising her daughter Nisa and continuing to advocate for the nation’s most harmed communities.
Myra Lucretia Taylor is an award-winning actress who has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway, in many theaters across the country, and internationally. Her television and film credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Atlanta, The Big Sick, Bushwick, and Catfight.
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