English / USA
Genesis begins again
Williams, Alicia
(text)
New York: Atheneum, [2019]. – 364 p.
ISBN 978-1-4814-6580-9
(A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book)
African-American family | Racism | Skin colour | Beauty standard | Bullying | Self-acceptance
Reading age: 10+
White Ravens issue: 2020
Genesis has had enough. Another eviction because her gambling alcoholic of a father hasn’t managed to pay the rent; and right on the day when her school “friends” had agreed to come home with her…. How embarrassing. She really hates him. But more than her Dad, she hates herself, her wide nose, her nappy hair, and especially her dark skin that no milk bath or lemon rub can lighten. With bullies at school and constant criticism from her father and grandmother, it takes new friends, a supportive music teacher, and a talent show for Genesis to finally start accepting herself. Alicia D. Williams’s complex debut novel sheds light on the harsh effects of colourism in the past and present. It drives an otherwise bubbly and headstrong girl to self-hate and self-harm in an attempt to meet popular beauty standards – and to feel loved by her (equally dark-skinned) father. This harsh realistic story, a riveting read lightened by some humour and hope, will stay with readers long after they have finished the book. [CS]