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Mama Said: Stories
“A celebration of Black family life that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“The collection will reshape what you think about the region and the people that inhabit it.” — Debutiful
“Surprising and revelatory. . . . I love this book.” —Stephanie Powell Watts, author of No One Is Coming to Save Us
“This book has staying power.” —Crystal Wilkinson, author of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts
Original stories of Black family life in Louisville, Kentucky, for readers of Dantiel Moniz ( Milk Blood Heat ) and Kai Harris ( What the Fireflies Knew ).
The linked stories in Mama Said are set in Louisville, Kentucky, a city with a rich history steeped in tobacco, bourbon, and gambling, indulgences that can quickly become gripping and destructive vices. Set amid the tail end of the crack epidemic and the rise of the opioid crisis, Mama Said evokes Black family life in all its complexity, following JayLynn, along with her cousins Zaria and Angel, as they come of age struggling against their mothers’ drug addictions. JayLynn heads to college intent on gaining distance from her depressed mother, only to learn that her mother’s illness has reached a terrifying peak. She fears the chaos and instability of her extended family will prove too much for her boyfriend, whose idyllic family feels worlds, not miles, apart from her own. When bats invade Zaria’s new home, she is forced to determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to be a good mother. Angel rebels on Derby night, risking her safety to connect with her absent mother and the wild ways that consumed her. Mama Said separates from stereotypes of Black families, presenting instead the joy, humor, and love that coexist with the trauma of drug abuse within communities. Kristen Gentry’s stories showcase the wide-reaching repercussions of addiction and the ties that forever bind daughters to their mothers, flaws and all.
“The collection will reshape what you think about the region and the people that inhabit it.” — Debutiful
“Surprising and revelatory. . . . I love this book.” —Stephanie Powell Watts, author of No One Is Coming to Save Us
“This book has staying power.” —Crystal Wilkinson, author of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts
Original stories of Black family life in Louisville, Kentucky, for readers of Dantiel Moniz ( Milk Blood Heat ) and Kai Harris ( What the Fireflies Knew ).
The linked stories in Mama Said are set in Louisville, Kentucky, a city with a rich history steeped in tobacco, bourbon, and gambling, indulgences that can quickly become gripping and destructive vices. Set amid the tail end of the crack epidemic and the rise of the opioid crisis, Mama Said evokes Black family life in all its complexity, following JayLynn, along with her cousins Zaria and Angel, as they come of age struggling against their mothers’ drug addictions. JayLynn heads to college intent on gaining distance from her depressed mother, only to learn that her mother’s illness has reached a terrifying peak. She fears the chaos and instability of her extended family will prove too much for her boyfriend, whose idyllic family feels worlds, not miles, apart from her own. When bats invade Zaria’s new home, she is forced to determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to be a good mother. Angel rebels on Derby night, risking her safety to connect with her absent mother and the wild ways that consumed her. Mama Said separates from stereotypes of Black families, presenting instead the joy, humor, and love that coexist with the trauma of drug abuse within communities. Kristen Gentry’s stories showcase the wide-reaching repercussions of addiction and the ties that forever bind daughters to their mothers, flaws and all.
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2023
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 6, 2024
2.5 ⭐
this is a non-chronological short story collection where all the stories are interwoven into a single overarching narrative; the stories primarily focus on jaylynn and her cousins, zaria and angel. nonetheless, a good amount of the stories also vocalize other characters in the aforementioned’s lives.
the writing style itself is somewhat plain but still imbued with the right amount of sentimentality required for the topics discussed. the stories are also written from varying perspectives, which makes the overall reading experience more engaging. i enjoyed reading through the second-person since it’s not very common, despite being able to make a story more immersive. however, the second-person did make its applicable stories confusing bcs it wasn’t obvious whose perspective you were reading from until halfway through, which reduced the immersion factor. moreover, there was some variation in the characters’ voices, but they bleed into each other and could create a single voice. that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but i prefer short stories with distinct voices.
the stories themselves were interesting and explored various topics that may be considered taboo, to an extent. i don’t remember the story’s name, but my favorite was the one about claudia’s life before addiction/motherhood. aside from that one, the other stories don’t feel as memorable, per se, but that definitely is subjective.
the main reason why i don’t particularly like this collection as a whole is that it doesn’t fully convey what’s promised in the blurb, which is the exploration of these three girls’ turmoils, for lack of a better word. the format of short stories also makes it harder for the stories not to feel somewhat emotionally void bcs of the pacing. i think if this were a novel, or perhaps even in chronological order, there’d be more stable emotional connections between the reader and characters. the writing style also doesn’t really make up for any of those unfulfilled expectations, but that may be a critique driven more by personal taste than anything.
all in all, this is a short story collection half-full of tangible emotion and characters to connect with. nothing necessarily stands out for me, but that doesn’t mean the same for others.
this is a non-chronological short story collection where all the stories are interwoven into a single overarching narrative; the stories primarily focus on jaylynn and her cousins, zaria and angel. nonetheless, a good amount of the stories also vocalize other characters in the aforementioned’s lives.
the writing style itself is somewhat plain but still imbued with the right amount of sentimentality required for the topics discussed. the stories are also written from varying perspectives, which makes the overall reading experience more engaging. i enjoyed reading through the second-person since it’s not very common, despite being able to make a story more immersive. however, the second-person did make its applicable stories confusing bcs it wasn’t obvious whose perspective you were reading from until halfway through, which reduced the immersion factor. moreover, there was some variation in the characters’ voices, but they bleed into each other and could create a single voice. that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but i prefer short stories with distinct voices.
the stories themselves were interesting and explored various topics that may be considered taboo, to an extent. i don’t remember the story’s name, but my favorite was the one about claudia’s life before addiction/motherhood. aside from that one, the other stories don’t feel as memorable, per se, but that definitely is subjective.
the main reason why i don’t particularly like this collection as a whole is that it doesn’t fully convey what’s promised in the blurb, which is the exploration of these three girls’ turmoils, for lack of a better word. the format of short stories also makes it harder for the stories not to feel somewhat emotionally void bcs of the pacing. i think if this were a novel, or perhaps even in chronological order, there’d be more stable emotional connections between the reader and characters. the writing style also doesn’t really make up for any of those unfulfilled expectations, but that may be a critique driven more by personal taste than anything.
all in all, this is a short story collection half-full of tangible emotion and characters to connect with. nothing necessarily stands out for me, but that doesn’t mean the same for others.
April 13, 2024
Kristen Gentry does such an amazing job at interweaving these stories; the overlaps of each character stand-alone in their own right but also prompt an interconnectedness that is so elemental in short story collections.
As a white woman my view into the Black experience will always be limited, my efforts in reparations always a work in progress, but bearing witness to the complexities and nuances of individuals in the widely varying circumstances and lives of Black Americans is a foundational step in anti-racism.
This book is a fabulous read with such well-crafted characters, the art of panoptic perspective, near-perfect balance of scene and summary, emotional arcs that summit, plummet and soar. The pace carries the reader to the last page, yearning for more.
Great job Kristen Gentry.
As a white woman my view into the Black experience will always be limited, my efforts in reparations always a work in progress, but bearing witness to the complexities and nuances of individuals in the widely varying circumstances and lives of Black Americans is a foundational step in anti-racism.
This book is a fabulous read with such well-crafted characters, the art of panoptic perspective, near-perfect balance of scene and summary, emotional arcs that summit, plummet and soar. The pace carries the reader to the last page, yearning for more.
Great job Kristen Gentry.
January 19, 2024
Mama Said is a collection of connected short stories focusing on the Black family experience in Louisville Kentucky immediately following the crack epidemic. Gentry confronts both the stereotypes and very real experiences of Black families being confronted with what she describes as indulgences that turn into vices.
Prior to Mama Said, I hadn’t read many connected short stories, and the book’s format might be the only thing I disliked about it. The collection lacked a story arc, which made it tough to stay engaged. However, I loved the characters, and as someone who was raised in addiction and has struggled with addiction myself, their experiences resonated with me.
Prior to Mama Said, I hadn’t read many connected short stories, and the book’s format might be the only thing I disliked about it. The collection lacked a story arc, which made it tough to stay engaged. However, I loved the characters, and as someone who was raised in addiction and has struggled with addiction myself, their experiences resonated with me.
January 10, 2024
Oh my, I needed this book in many ways than I could have imagined. Read it, and read it again.
April 6, 2024
These are short stories depicting the lives of Jean and her daughters, Claudia, Sandy, Maxine, Dee, and Yolanda. Jean was stoic and gave all she had to her daughters when it came to the basic necessities of life. They had a roof over their heads, electricity, food (although not the best), heat, and running water. She could not give comfort or express love at the most opportune times. This is where the girls found love outside their home and the stories that ensued.
Claudia became addicted to pain pills. She has a daughter named JayLynn. With the addiction she lost her nursing license and her marriage. JayLynn as a child thought she needed to find a way to fix her mother from her depression. After many conversations from her cousin, Zaria, who is Dee’s daughter, she finally realizes that Claudia has to fix herself. The process it takes for JayLynn to get to this stage are the humorous, serious, and unbelievable tales of some of these short stories.
Dee is a crackhead. Zaria, her daughter, does not want to end up like her mother. She becomes a mother at sixteen. She becomes self-reliant at seventeen and becomes a subject of interest to Ameer at twenty-three. Ameer is thirty years old and works at a Ford assembly plant. He only smokes weed a couple times a month. He is not moving on to harder drugs. Smoking weed does not make you an addict or crackhead.
Sheila loves Damon. They were high school sweethearts. Now Damon has caught a case from selling drugs and Sheila is trying to prove her love or move on to someone more stable. Is it time for Sheila or Damon to grow up? The short stories will leave you the reader to answer the question.
Quotes:
You have learned how to close the door on her crying when you leave - for work, the library, dinner with other friends - without looking back.
As if she had a better chance of winning without him jumping in and helping her fight.
“You were behind closed doors with another woman’s husband. Be real with yourself.”
Freed or hidden, most people’s truths ate them alive.
Claudia became addicted to pain pills. She has a daughter named JayLynn. With the addiction she lost her nursing license and her marriage. JayLynn as a child thought she needed to find a way to fix her mother from her depression. After many conversations from her cousin, Zaria, who is Dee’s daughter, she finally realizes that Claudia has to fix herself. The process it takes for JayLynn to get to this stage are the humorous, serious, and unbelievable tales of some of these short stories.
Dee is a crackhead. Zaria, her daughter, does not want to end up like her mother. She becomes a mother at sixteen. She becomes self-reliant at seventeen and becomes a subject of interest to Ameer at twenty-three. Ameer is thirty years old and works at a Ford assembly plant. He only smokes weed a couple times a month. He is not moving on to harder drugs. Smoking weed does not make you an addict or crackhead.
Sheila loves Damon. They were high school sweethearts. Now Damon has caught a case from selling drugs and Sheila is trying to prove her love or move on to someone more stable. Is it time for Sheila or Damon to grow up? The short stories will leave you the reader to answer the question.
Quotes:
You have learned how to close the door on her crying when you leave - for work, the library, dinner with other friends - without looking back.
As if she had a better chance of winning without him jumping in and helping her fight.
“You were behind closed doors with another woman’s husband. Be real with yourself.”
Freed or hidden, most people’s truths ate them alive.
July 2, 2024
I read this group of short stories to fill the 52 Book Challenge February Mini Challenge, written by a black author in your favorite genre.
I'm so sorry. I read it a couple of weeks ago. Even with reading the blurb again, I can't remember what it was about. And that makes me sad. I will read it again and try harder.
My daughter is in recovery and I know what my grand kids and family went through. I'm a grandparent raising grandchildren because of the drugs. They still suffer to this day from the trauma the drugs caused. My daughter is clean, sober, and has been for a long time. She is a remarkable woman who strives to put her past behind her, work full time to provide a safe and healthy home for her kids. She is not the person she was.
But the trauma remains. Every day it heals a bit more.
I picked this book because the blurb talks about the characters having to deal with life going on around them and the drugs taking over their families. I really thought I'd be able to identify with this book. I'm so sorry to the author. I don't know why it didn't click with me. It should have.
I'm so sorry. I read it a couple of weeks ago. Even with reading the blurb again, I can't remember what it was about. And that makes me sad. I will read it again and try harder.
My daughter is in recovery and I know what my grand kids and family went through. I'm a grandparent raising grandchildren because of the drugs. They still suffer to this day from the trauma the drugs caused. My daughter is clean, sober, and has been for a long time. She is a remarkable woman who strives to put her past behind her, work full time to provide a safe and healthy home for her kids. She is not the person she was.
But the trauma remains. Every day it heals a bit more.
I picked this book because the blurb talks about the characters having to deal with life going on around them and the drugs taking over their families. I really thought I'd be able to identify with this book. I'm so sorry to the author. I don't know why it didn't click with me. It should have.
October 1, 2023
Three young women, all cousins, reckon with what they inherited from their mothers, what they plan to avoid, and how to be good moms -- and daughters -- throughout their challenging and positive relationships. Louisville, KY at the beginning of the opioid crisis is a setting ripe for stories given its proximity to the rust belt. The strains that these families feel is evident as they balance love and resentment. The connected short stories feel like a novel when put altogether, told in non-chronological order, which show where some of the addictions started and how the future may go. A lovely debut that makes the characters feel real.
October 27, 2025
Read this because it’s a collection of short stories and I was trying to find some inspiration for how I could write a book, recommended by my professor. Overall it wasn’t too bad
Pros:
-lots of different interconnected short stories
-an overall theme that connected them
-easy to read and digest
Cons:
-flips back and forth between first and third person
-hard to know who is talking in a new chapter and their relation to the existing stories
Pros:
-lots of different interconnected short stories
-an overall theme that connected them
-easy to read and digest
Cons:
-flips back and forth between first and third person
-hard to know who is talking in a new chapter and their relation to the existing stories
November 2, 2023
In interconnected stories, this collection traces the effects of drug addiction and the power of family bonds across one family tree. The stories move through time, explore different points of view, and always deliver clear emotion and fully embodied characters. A wonderful debut!
February 23, 2025
A book of resilience and beautifully crafted stories weaving together love, loss, and laughter. “In Her Image” … one of the stories is a new favorite for all time for me. I laughed. I cried. And I shared this book with others to read —
October 14, 2025
This book started out strong, but the longer I read it the more confusing it became. There were so many characters to keep track of that I lost interest but continued to read just to finish. This for me was a dissapointment to say the least.
March 30, 2024
Interesting but gritty
April 10, 2024
I love a collection of interlinked stories and damn, this one delivers! It's SO good. Funny, direct, heartbreaking at times, but always real. This is the stuff of life. Highly recommend.
May 15, 2024
The description on the back should be revised but such a good book and the characters feel so real and relatable in a lot of ways.
October 4, 2024
Beautiful, excellent, wonderful. I’ve still one book to read from the PEN/Bingham longlist, but this one is definitely in the top 2. Just wow 👏🏽
March 18, 2025
This book has beautiful stories about love, loss, motherhood, girlhood, and so much more. Gentry’s writing flows seamlessly into various points of view. I highly recommend!
June 30, 2025
Touching and poignant.These stories feel so alive,,as if you’re there watching, listening. You want to as questions
November 6, 2025
I loved all the stories in here but during the origin story one I nearly cried about how little Malik was treated . Reminded me of how my absent father talked to me at that age
February 18, 2025
(apologies if this doesnt make any sense its 1am) i finished this in a day!!! this book was so incredibly authentic and raw. the southern black experience is carefully crafted and illustrated thoroughly throughout the text and it made it impossible for me to put the book down. each chapter carefully displays a different character, their struggles, and how they present themselves in their lives . the range these characters have is so uniquely distinctive from the next. Dr. Gentry’s range is incredible and thats what made this book so good.
an absolutely intoxicating novel of life, love, grief, sadness, addiction, and breaking generational curses all while seeking a mother’s love. thank you Dr. Gentry for this eye-opening perspective. i am forever thankful to have called you my advisor and i can proudfully express how grateful i am to have attended the same institution as you.
an absolutely intoxicating novel of life, love, grief, sadness, addiction, and breaking generational curses all while seeking a mother’s love. thank you Dr. Gentry for this eye-opening perspective. i am forever thankful to have called you my advisor and i can proudfully express how grateful i am to have attended the same institution as you.
March 18, 2024
Excellent read.
August 12, 2024
every character felt so real and relatable
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews