Caucasia A Novel
Caucasia A Novel by Danzy Senna, published by Penguin on February 1, 1999, is a significant work that explores themes of identity and race through the lens of family dynamics. The narrative follows Birdie and Cole, two sisters with a black father and a white mother, as they navigate their complex identities in 1970s Boston amidst the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement. Their close bond is tested when their parents’ marriage falls apart, leading to a separation that forces Birdie and her mother to embark on a journey across the country in search of a new home.
Readers will find a poignant exploration of the emotional toll that politics and race exert on personal relationships. As Birdie grapples with her identity, often mistaken for white due to her light skin, she reflects on her connection with her darker-skinned sister, Cole. The novel delves into the themes of cultural heritage and the impact of family separation, presenting a narrative that resonates with the complexities of belonging and loss. With 432 pages, this edition invites readers to engage deeply with the characters’ struggles and the broader societal issues they embody.
Official synopsis Publisher
From the author of New People and Colored Television, the extraordinary national bestseller that launched Danzy Senna’s literary career
“Superbly illustrates the emotional toll that politics and race take … Haunting.” —The New York Times Book Review
Birdie and Cole are the daughters of a black father and a white mother, intellectuals and activists in the Civil Rights Movement in 1970s Boston. The sisters are so close that they speak their own language, yet Birdie, with her light skin and straight hair, is often mistaken for white, while Cole is dark enough to fit in with the other kids at school. Despite their differences, Cole is Birdie’s confidant, her protector, the mirror by which she understands herself. Then their parents’ marriage collapses. One night Birdie watches her father and his new girlfriend drive away with Cole. Soon Birdie and her mother are on the road as well, drifting across the country in search of a new home. But for Birdie, home will always be Cole. Haunted by the loss of her sister, she sets out a desperate search for the family that left her behind.
A modern classic, Caucasia is at once a powerful coming of age story and a groundbreaking work on identity and race in America.
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