Book Review : Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

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We buy books for quite a few reasons. We might have heard a lot about a book and we get our hands on it. A movie adaptation is on its way and we love to see how the book has changed from pages to reel. We want to own the entire collection of our favourite author. Finally, we buy books just because we found the cover beautiful and/or interesting. Guilty as charged, this book comes under the category of beautiful cover. I must say that the cover isn't just the only thing interesting about the book.

The basic premise of the book deals with three central characters supported by a few more. Jojo is a 14 year old kid who is born from a white father, Michael, convicted for a felony and Leonie, a black mother addicted to drugs. He was brought by his maternal grandparents lovingly called by him as Pop and Mam along with his sister Michaela alias Kayla. Leonie, Jojo, Kayla and their friend Misty are on a road trip to Parchman as Michael is being released from jail and the adventures that follow forms the main part of the story. Apart from these, the book involves another protagonist, Richie, who was a fellow inmate of Leonie's father when he served in Parchman.

The book has many high points spread across the entire plot and hence makes up for a very interesting read. Though the first 50 pages or so seemed quite a drag, the book picks up pretty well as it goes on and one does not find any reason to put down the book. The seamless transition from one character to another is an added bonus to the book. The author has beautifully brought down the climax where some of the characters starts developing themselves which does brings out a few tears. The book leaves a major impact as it reaches to its end pondering us with questions about the story and the existence of human being.

As I said earlier, the book did drag in the initial few pages but can be spared for the same. The only other low point in the book came up when the character of Richie was introduced as a central character confusing the readers till the climax of the story.

I had started reading the book much before the book received the "National Award" this year (I agree took me quite a lot of time to finish it) but it does deserve the praises as one of the most gripping book that I have read this year. I would recommend people to pick it up if they could get their hands on it.

My Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5

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