We’re currently reading The Darkest Child. Be warned, you may want to throw this book at the wall a few times. It’s an emotional ride. The story is set in the days of segregation. It focuses on a mother and her many children. One daughter, in particular, is trying to escape her mother, their life of despair, and the many duties continuously dumped in her lap. For her mother’s part, she is a merciless abusive figure. I constantly wanted to know what happened to her. What or who hurt her to make her treat her children so badly? ⁣Badly is actually a complete understatement.

The Story

The story is told by Tangy Mae, the darkest of her mother’s ten children. She is smart and pushed by her teachers to continue with her education. The carrot of education is dangled in front of her by her mother to control her. She knows how badly she wants a better life. Nevertheless, Tangy Mae does all she can to make her mother happy. It’s no small feat. ⁣It’s also always a temporary happiness before she turns on her again.
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Her mother is physically abusive, even branding one of her children! She’s nothing short of a monster. Rozelle, the mom, insists that any money her children make be given to her. She even goes so far as to pimp her older daughters out to various men at a local whore house. ⁣When they try to push back and refuse, she offers one of her youngest daughters instead. CRUEL. ⁣
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So as I said, hard read. I really keep reading for Tangy Mae. As a reader, you can’t help but to want something good to come to her. I wanted all of the children to find a way of escape actually. They all deserved so much better.