20th Anniversary Edition—with a New Foreword by Kimberly EliseA novel by a critically acclaimed voice in contemporary fiction, praised by Ebony for its “unforgettable images, unique characters, and moving story that keeps the pages turning until the end.”A young prostitute comes to Bigelow, Arkansas, to start over, far from her haunting past. Sugar moves next door to Pearl, who is still grieving … next door to Pearl, who is still grieving for the daughter who was murdered fifteen years before. Over sweet-potato pie, an unlikely friendship begins, transforming both women’s lives—and the life of an entire town.
Sugar brings a Southern African-American town vividly to life, with its flowering magnolia trees, lingering scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, and white picket fences that keep strangers out—but ignorance and superstition in. To read this novel is to take a journey through loss and suffering to a place of forgiveness, understanding, and grace.
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This a beautifully written book that deals with not-so-beautiful events, such as racism, prostitution, violence, misery, and hopelessness, to name a few. I could hardly put the book down. I will definitely read the sequel for closure.
Very intriguing and engrossing book. There is more than one protagonist and all the characters are well defined. The story is beautifully and realistically told. The writing is gorgeous. In terms of delving into the human heart, it has the kind of scope many classics have. I recommend it.
A tragic tale told beautifully with heart and soul.
Pearl and Sugar are polar opposites, separated by age and life experiences. Yet they form a bond which brings Pearl back to life, and offers glimpses of true humanity and a future to Sugar.
With spare prose that effortlessly evokes a time and a culture, a deftly drawn cast of characters, and an ever present hint of threat to the fragile foundations of Pearl and Sugar’s deepening friendship, the book pulls you in and holds you captive through to the heart-breaking end.
I loved this book.
My absolute all-time favorite novel!
Very well written, characters very believable regardless of color for time period.
Wonderful characters and story that stayed with me for many days…I definitely want to read from this author again!
Wonderful book! I ordered sequel from library.
Beautifully written. A well crafted work of literature. Reminds me of Toni Morrison.
Reading the opening scene of “Sugar” took me back to John Grisham’s, “A Time To Kill” and as such, I was anticipating a different twist based on the year the novel was set in and also the level of black hatred in that era.
What a story! The book is filled with sadness, pain, and anguish. It was touching, sweet and tender, all twisted to make a good read.
There was sadness because it shows what happened to people of colour, sadness because it shows what being poor caused people to do and sadness because of the unfortunate situations that can happen to people in general.
The star, “Sugar” probably had the worst case of all. She knew neither her mother nor her father and that simple fact helped her to blossomed into the person she was, one that caused persons to turn their eyes and noses up. A scorned woman.
It allowed her to meet people who, when she came face to face with facts, made her feel better about herself and also worse off. Her struggles enabled her to love and lost twice times over.
She met a woman that was the exact opposite of her and became more than just friends, she became family.
Notwithstanding, Sugar did what she knew. What she learnt. What she saw. But her black skin and well-shaped body did not help her positively; It caused her to sink lower every step of her journey.
Overall, Sugar was surely an unforgettable girl.
The book throws a stunning and painful twist at the end and as such, I can’t wait to read the follow-up to her story.
I enjoyed the friendship that developed between the 2 main characters and how they influenced each other in a positive way. The book just tugged at my heart in so many ways.
Loved it!
You will long for more of Bernice McFadden’s books!
The characters and their relationships were exceptional. The events that created tensions and drama served to enhance the story. The ending was excellent.
This was the first book I read by Bernice L McFadden, I became a doted follower after reading it.
Great book! This author rocks!!!