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Sugar

The addictive Richard and Judy book club pick

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Young and confident, with a swagger in her step, Sugar arrives in the small southern town of Bigelow with the hope of starting over. Soon Bigelow is alight with gossip and suspicion, and Sugar fears she can't hide from her past. Until, that is, she meets Pearl, her next-door neighbour. Over sweet-potato pie, an unlikely friendship begins, transforming both women's lives - and the life of an entire town.

Vividly bringing 1950s Deep South America 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, Sugar takes us on a journey through loss and suffering to a place of forgiveness, understanding, and grace.

© Bernice McFadden 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 20th Century African American Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural United States Women's Fiction World Literature Friendship

Critic reviews

Sugar follows expertly crafted characters as they wade through grief, sexism, and the bitter judgement of the 1950s Deep South with warmth and heart. Sugar is a page-turning novel guaranteed to be looked back on as a timeless classic
Riveting...searing (Toni Morrison (on Bernice McFadden))
This book is so engaging and beautiful and intriguing and satisfying that I could not put it down (Tarana Burke)
McFadden works a kind of miracle - not only do her characters retain their appealing humanity; their story eclipses the bonds of history to offer continuous surprises . . . Beautiful and evocative (Jesymn Ward)
Sugar was a masterful debut, an electrifying and profoundly realized addition to African American women's literary fiction. And importantly, Sugar introduced us to the brilliant author, Bernice L. McFadden, who would bring forth The Book of Harlan, Gathering of Waters, Glorious, and Nowhere is a Place. (Sapphire)
A literary explosion...McFadden reveals amazing talent
An earthy slice of life in a small Southern town... A novel of friendship and loss
Strong and folksy storytelling...think Zora Neale Hurston...Sugar speaks of what is real
All stars
Most relevant
Superb narration - loved all the characterisations she did - it brought the story and the drama alive
Gentle and easy to listen to
Simple story beautifully told
Highly recommend to romantics like me

Soulful story

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loved the book. narrator was in my living room, she was so believable. look forward to follow up book, the bitter earth

Sugar wasn't sweet but wonderful

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Probably the best talking book I have listened to. Myra Lucretia Taylor is clearly a VERY talented narrator. She brought everything to life; I could see it all in my 'minds eye'.

The story is complex, but at the same time quite simple.


Between them, Bernice McFadden and Myra Lucretia Taylor have created a SUPBERB story which will live on in my memory for a long time to come.

So very well done ladies, you should be very proud of yourselves.

Incredible

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Writing this with tears rolling down my face. This was one of 3 books for my Book Group & I chose this one as an audiobook. If I’d seen the cover in a bookshop it would have not appealed. I’m so glad that it was chosen for the Book Group.
Myra brought all the characters to life, taking me from UK Home Counties to a time and place in USA I’ve never been. The story and the writing was a delight, I felt that I was there, sitting I’d Miss Pearl’s table throughout. Loved it.

Absolutely Wonderful

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I picked this one up shortly after listening to one of McFadden's other novels (The book of Harlan). I felt the same familiar emotions for the characters esp about their endings. Heart aching storytelling.

Another emotional one from Ms Mcfadden

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