Kin: Practically True Stories

by V. Efua Prince

A dynamic kaleidoscope of story that honors the work of women.



Kin is a story and a celebration of Black womanhood, of resistance, and of perseverance—while simultaneously an indictment of American history. Kin is a tree—alive in places, broken in others—that offers shelter for women seeking respite in the midst of family-making. This tree depicts family grafted together by blood, law, or choice; its stories are voiced through blues-infused poetry, one-act plays, oral history, and reportage that are combined to form an orchestra of Black history and re-memory. Centered on the labor of women, the movement of women through lives and time, and the work of building associations that make up the home, this book takes up the rhythms and multifarious forms of its inspiration, Cane, the 1923 novel by Jean Toomer. The roots from which it all grows are the ancestors who ensure from the spirit realm that the family remains grounded and verdant, despite the manifold threats to its health and well-being. Kin is a tribute to forebearers, a beacon to those calling homes into being, and a strata of stories for children not yet born.

Genres: Short Stories

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done short stories, in the vein of Cane by Jean Toomer, but in a style reminiscent of Lydia Davis meets Alice Walker. Not many words, but well chosen, descriptive and full of heart.

Thank you to the Carol Shields Prize judges- I wouldn’t have found this wonderful collection without the longlisting!

[Lindsey Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mash-up of poetry, play, academic essay, and memoir, this collection of musings is tied deeply to motifs, themes, and historical events of the African diaspora. I absolutely loved "June," a combo of poetry and academic essay about memory and place. The other pieces were hit and miss for me.