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Silver Sparrow
Silver Sparrow
Author: Tayari Jones
James Witherspoon is a bigamist. His daughter, Dana, and her mother both know about James's other daughter, Chaurisse, who lives with his other wife in a nicer neighborhood nearby. But Chaurisse and her mother are blissfuly unaware of James's secret family. — When Dana--tired of a life in the shadows--accidently meets her half-sister, she befrien...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781565129900
ISBN-10: 1565129903
Publication Date: 5/31/2011
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 30

3.6 stars, based on 30 ratings
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 20
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Silver Sparrow on + 109 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Silver Sparrow is that rare type of book that transports you into the lives of it's characters as if you were a spider on the wall watching all the drama unfold. The story centers around two young girls, Dana and Chaurisse, who are both fathered by the same man, James Witherspoon. James is legally married to Chaurisse's father and has wed Dana's mother in an act of bigamy. Although Dana and her mother are painfully aware of the fact that James is married and has a daughter Chaurisse, Jame's first family has no idea he's leading a double life. When Dana becomes curious about Chaurisse and her life she crosses a line in the sand that forever changes all the characters' destinies. I really loved this book. It was very poignant, realistic and written in an exquisite manner by the author. I could relate to a lot of the topics since it took place in the 70's and 80's, my own coming of age. This is a brilliant novel that leaves one pondering family ties long after the book is devoured. BRAVO.
reviewed Silver Sparrow on
Helpful Score: 1
I started reading this book when my plane left Baltimore and had almost finished it by the time I got to Atlanta two hours later. It's engaging and you want to keep reading just so you know what happens next. I loved all the secrets and twists and sudden insights that just pop up as you read. I'd recommend this one to just about anyone.
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mssheenaann avatar reviewed Silver Sparrow on + 107 more book reviews
I bought this book shortly after it was released, and I wish I would've read it sooner! This story is told by two sisters, except one of them doesn't know she even has a sister. Dana is the "secret" sister. She has lived her life knowing about her Dad's wife and daughter Chaurisse, but they know nothing about her. The first half of the book is told by Dana and the second half told by Chaurisse.

Their father James, married both women and lives a double life. Dana has seen Chaurisse here and there over the years because they live in the same area and she finally decided to befriend her. Not everything goes exactly as planned, and the ending is not happy as expected. Tayari Jones did a great job writing this book. This is the first book I've read by her, but I am excited to see what else she has to offer. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a great fiction novel.

I rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars

http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2012/02/book-review-silver-sparrow-by-tayari.html
reviewed Silver Sparrow on
All the characters are interesting and it's hard to pinpoint who should be the MAIN character. I liked that the story was told in two perspectives. However, there were times when I didn't connect with the dialogue and didn't really feel anything for the young characters. I thought the mothers of the young girls were VERY interesting and could see a movie being made about these two women. So no, I did not fall in love with the book but I still think it's a good story.

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