Many thanks to Thoughts from a Page Podcast and The Dial Press for the chance to read a galley copy of debut novel Redwood Court by award-winning poet DeLana R.A. Dameron. What a beautiful work of literature that I am still thinking about long after I have put the book down. 

Redwood Court tells the story of a Southern Black family, through the voice of the youngest daughter Mika Tabor, who comes of age in the 1990s. 

Redwood Court is a cul-de-sac in the all-Black working-class suburb of Columbia, South Carolina and is where Mika’s grandparents live and where Mika spends a lot of time. In addition to telling her coming of age story, Mika tells the story of the people in her family and neighborhood. What it is like to be seen and not seen. What it is like to experience life’s joys and tribulations. Each character is drawn so beautifully and individually and the stories are told with great care. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs looking for not just a family story, but also a story of society. I thought this was just amazing.