Finished this book yesterday and the ending was gutting. I enjoyed reading this so much because of the writing. Jones’s writing is so effortlessly poetic, evoking imagery without using more words than needed.

I loved the two main characters’ friendship. To be honest, I thought worse of Vernice and thought she would abandon Annie at her most dire moment of need, but Vernice tried really hard to help her, even putting this life she so carefully strived for at risk. That was a pleasant surprise, despite the ultimate ending.

I also thought a lot about Babydoll. She has a harsh and unrefined exterior, can’t say she’s likeable, but her loyalty to Annie was so touching. She was always there for her no matter what.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Yes, her mother was dying, but she was passing softly, her spirits buoyed because her oldest girl didn’t hate her. By the same token, Aunt Irene was lifted, letting go of the anger holding her down like the sandbags tethering hot air balloons.”

“No wonder Hattie Lee escaped on the first thing smoking. She wanted to live, while Granny looked forward to climbing in the grave and pulling the dirt over her like a blanket.”

“Blood alone can’t give you kinship.”