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Perish: A Novel
"Watkins’s prose is effortless and forthright. . .This is an impressive feat of storytelling. . .It’s a difficult read and a tender story of silences and secrets. It’s a novel about coming home, despite that home being broken. And it’s a brave triumph of a novel that readers won’t forget long after finishing it."
—New York Times Book Review
Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by Good Morning America * Essence* Esquire * The Root * Bustle * Ebony * PopSugar * Ms. * The Millions
From a stunning new voice comes a powerful debut novel, Perish , about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed.
Bear it or perish yourself. Those are the words Helen Jean hears that fateful night in her cousin’s outhouse that change the trajectory of her life.
Spanning decades, Perish tracks the choices Helen Jean—the matriarch of the Turner family—makes and the way those choices have rippled across generations, from her children to her grandchildren and beyond.
Told in alternating chapters, Perish follows four members of the Turner Julie B., a woman who regrets her wasted youth and the time spent under Helen Jean’s thumb; Alex, a police officer grappling with a dark and twisted past; Jan, a mother of two who yearns to go to school and leave Jerusalem, Texas, and all of its trauma behind for good; and Lydia, a woman whose marriage is falling apart because her body can’t seem to stay pregnant, as they're called home to say goodbye to their mother and grandmother.
This family’s “reunion” unearths long-kept secrets and forces each member to ask themselves important questions about who is deserving of forgiveness and who bears the cross of blame.
Set in vividly drawn Texas and tackling themes like trauma, legacy, faith, home, class, race, and more, this beautiful yet heart heart-wrenching novel will appeal to anyone who is interested in the intricacies of family and the ways bonds can be made, maintained, or irrevocably broken.
Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by Good Morning America * Essence* Esquire * The Root * Bustle * Ebony * PopSugar * Ms. * The Millions
From a stunning new voice comes a powerful debut novel, Perish , about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed.
Bear it or perish yourself. Those are the words Helen Jean hears that fateful night in her cousin’s outhouse that change the trajectory of her life.
Spanning decades, Perish tracks the choices Helen Jean—the matriarch of the Turner family—makes and the way those choices have rippled across generations, from her children to her grandchildren and beyond.
Told in alternating chapters, Perish follows four members of the Turner Julie B., a woman who regrets her wasted youth and the time spent under Helen Jean’s thumb; Alex, a police officer grappling with a dark and twisted past; Jan, a mother of two who yearns to go to school and leave Jerusalem, Texas, and all of its trauma behind for good; and Lydia, a woman whose marriage is falling apart because her body can’t seem to stay pregnant, as they're called home to say goodbye to their mother and grandmother.
This family’s “reunion” unearths long-kept secrets and forces each member to ask themselves important questions about who is deserving of forgiveness and who bears the cross of blame.
Set in vividly drawn Texas and tackling themes like trauma, legacy, faith, home, class, race, and more, this beautiful yet heart heart-wrenching novel will appeal to anyone who is interested in the intricacies of family and the ways bonds can be made, maintained, or irrevocably broken.
Audible Audio
First published April 23, 2022
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About the author
LaToya Watkins
7 books164 followersLaToya Watkins’s writing has appeared in A Public Space, The Sun, McSweeney’s, Kenyon Review, The Pushcart Prize Anthology (2015), and elsewhere. She has received grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, Hedgebrook, and A Public Space (she was one of their 2018 Emerging Writers Fellows). She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas. Perish is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
November 7, 2022
About Perish: “From a stunning new voice comes a powerful debut novel, Perish, about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed.”
Perish is set over generations of the Turner family beginning with Helen Jean. The story also follows Julie B., Alex, Lydia, and Jan, all children or grandchildren of Helen Jean. When they come together to say goodbye to their matriarch, the family is forced to confront the scars they bear and why.
Latoya Watkins’ writing fully immerses the reader in the story from the very first paragraph. Helen Jean’s trauma is buried and not discussed, and unfortunately, like it insidiously does, trauma becomes an inherited legacy in this family. The characters want better and seek better but find themselves heavily tethered to intergenerational trauma.
Perish is raw in its portrayal; trauma is raw. Through the characters arduous, open journeys, there is love and devotion, hope and the prospect of healing, too. The pacing of the story is even and well-done, the writing is immersive, and the characters come to life in three dimension. Everyone should be talking about this book. It would be the perfect buddy or bookclub read because discussion will only add to the experience of reading it. Highly recommended.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Perish is set over generations of the Turner family beginning with Helen Jean. The story also follows Julie B., Alex, Lydia, and Jan, all children or grandchildren of Helen Jean. When they come together to say goodbye to their matriarch, the family is forced to confront the scars they bear and why.
Latoya Watkins’ writing fully immerses the reader in the story from the very first paragraph. Helen Jean’s trauma is buried and not discussed, and unfortunately, like it insidiously does, trauma becomes an inherited legacy in this family. The characters want better and seek better but find themselves heavily tethered to intergenerational trauma.
Perish is raw in its portrayal; trauma is raw. Through the characters arduous, open journeys, there is love and devotion, hope and the prospect of healing, too. The pacing of the story is even and well-done, the writing is immersive, and the characters come to life in three dimension. Everyone should be talking about this book. It would be the perfect buddy or bookclub read because discussion will only add to the experience of reading it. Highly recommended.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 25, 2022
Whew! Two thoughts come to mind: The Past Can Follow You and Hurt People Hurt People!
Perish is a VERY dark, dysfunctional intergenerational family saga that focuses on the (in-)actions of a matriarch, a desperate Helen Jean, the only girl in a family of men, who in 1955 at 16 years-old, makes a covenant with God after a failed abortion attempt on the fetid floor of the family's outhouse. Having lost her mother to suicide, Helen Jean's brokenness is caused by traumatic events and circumstances beyond her control making her a sympathetic character who gets consumed by pain, hopelessness, grief, and anger. With few options, she drinks to forget and when buoyed by alcohol her heart hardens, her bad choices results in a sullied reputation with controlling ways – eventually developing a life-long mean-streak toward anything and everybody – intimidating and dominating her men and family included.
The proverbial "fruit does not fall far from the tree" rings true in this diseased family tree and irreparable damage is inflicted on the innocents in horrific ways (check the trigger warnings below) -- hardly anyone is spared - she, her sibling, her children (and others), her grandchildren, and her neighbors...even her husbands are disrespected and abused. Lives and childhoods are destroyed. Everyone suffers and sadly, they do not know why for a LONG time -- in fact, the novel essentially opens at Helen's end when the family is called together in her last moments of life while hospitalized.
As the family travels to Jerusalem, Texas, the novel is propelled by the points of view of her heirs and siblings via flashbacks told in alternating chapters which reveal their experiences through decades of ugliness, pain, and sorrow and their poor attempts of coping, including repressed memories. There are many painful passages that are simply hard to read; but the reader and characters must push through to get the answers to the "whys" that have haunted them all their lives and to ultimately reveal "Grandmoan's" and their parents' darkest secrets.
This debut author handled the pace well, character development (their POVs, personalities, thoughts and actions were credible/believable), and sense of place, differing eras and atmosphere were accurate and painted well – I would have thought this was the work of a seasoned author.
Trigger Warnings: Incest, Child Abuse/Molestation/Rape, Domestic/Physical and Emotional Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Suicide, Mental Illness, and alcohol/drug use.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
Perish is a VERY dark, dysfunctional intergenerational family saga that focuses on the (in-)actions of a matriarch, a desperate Helen Jean, the only girl in a family of men, who in 1955 at 16 years-old, makes a covenant with God after a failed abortion attempt on the fetid floor of the family's outhouse. Having lost her mother to suicide, Helen Jean's brokenness is caused by traumatic events and circumstances beyond her control making her a sympathetic character who gets consumed by pain, hopelessness, grief, and anger. With few options, she drinks to forget and when buoyed by alcohol her heart hardens, her bad choices results in a sullied reputation with controlling ways – eventually developing a life-long mean-streak toward anything and everybody – intimidating and dominating her men and family included.
The proverbial "fruit does not fall far from the tree" rings true in this diseased family tree and irreparable damage is inflicted on the innocents in horrific ways (check the trigger warnings below) -- hardly anyone is spared - she, her sibling, her children (and others), her grandchildren, and her neighbors...even her husbands are disrespected and abused. Lives and childhoods are destroyed. Everyone suffers and sadly, they do not know why for a LONG time -- in fact, the novel essentially opens at Helen's end when the family is called together in her last moments of life while hospitalized.
As the family travels to Jerusalem, Texas, the novel is propelled by the points of view of her heirs and siblings via flashbacks told in alternating chapters which reveal their experiences through decades of ugliness, pain, and sorrow and their poor attempts of coping, including repressed memories. There are many painful passages that are simply hard to read; but the reader and characters must push through to get the answers to the "whys" that have haunted them all their lives and to ultimately reveal "Grandmoan's" and their parents' darkest secrets.
This debut author handled the pace well, character development (their POVs, personalities, thoughts and actions were credible/believable), and sense of place, differing eras and atmosphere were accurate and painted well – I would have thought this was the work of a seasoned author.
Trigger Warnings: Incest, Child Abuse/Molestation/Rape, Domestic/Physical and Emotional Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Suicide, Mental Illness, and alcohol/drug use.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
December 9, 2022
I'm so disappointed in this book. I read so many reviews that were glowing. Those reviews made this book sound like it was made for me.....
Y'all, I read a different book than those people.
Perish is supposed to be about the scars that generational trauma has on a family.
What this book was actually about was misery porn.
I'm not opposed to dark and depressing books. In fact I absolutely love diving deep into stories that explore pain, trauma and anger. In 2023 I plan to do a reread of some if not all of Toni Morrison's works. I read her as a teenager and I've been terrified to reread her since than. The Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois is one of the best books I've read in the past few years. Those works do what Perish was trying to do.
Perish was not well written. All the characters had the same voice, I can't name one character or any of their defining characteristics right now off the top of my head. Basically these are how everyone can be described in this book:
- All the men are sex offenders
- All the women are sad and terrible mothers
That's it! I just saved you all from reading 322 pages. I also need to add that thus book was boring!!! And predictable....
Also I feel like a horrible person for this but it happened. Something that I assume was meant to be shocking happened and I laughed hysterically. I think I was meant to feel something else..maybe gasp or feel some healing or closure but it was literally the funniest thing I've read in awhile.
Maybe Latoya Watkins writing will get better in the future, this is her debut novel. And I'm not opposed to reading her future works but this book wasn't it yall.
Read Toni Morrison or The Love Songs of W E B Du Bois instead.
Y'all, I read a different book than those people.
Perish is supposed to be about the scars that generational trauma has on a family.
What this book was actually about was misery porn.
I'm not opposed to dark and depressing books. In fact I absolutely love diving deep into stories that explore pain, trauma and anger. In 2023 I plan to do a reread of some if not all of Toni Morrison's works. I read her as a teenager and I've been terrified to reread her since than. The Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois is one of the best books I've read in the past few years. Those works do what Perish was trying to do.
Perish was not well written. All the characters had the same voice, I can't name one character or any of their defining characteristics right now off the top of my head. Basically these are how everyone can be described in this book:
- All the men are sex offenders
- All the women are sad and terrible mothers
That's it! I just saved you all from reading 322 pages. I also need to add that thus book was boring!!! And predictable....
Also I feel like a horrible person for this but it happened. Something that I assume was meant to be shocking happened and I laughed hysterically. I think I was meant to feel something else..maybe gasp or feel some healing or closure but it was literally the funniest thing I've read in awhile.
Maybe Latoya Watkins writing will get better in the future, this is her debut novel. And I'm not opposed to reading her future works but this book wasn't it yall.
Read Toni Morrison or The Love Songs of W E B Du Bois instead.
June 30, 2022
When I tell you that this is gut wrenching and destroying I really mean it. You should consult trigger warnings before picking this up if you think you might need to.
This is an intergenerational story of passed down trauma and shame. the first few pages deals with a young woman who is trying to induce an abortion by drinking turpentine. She's advised it will kill her if she drinks too much; she must either bear it or perish. She makes this covenant with herself them and there and decides to bear it.
We follow along with 4 generations of her progeny who seem to similarly deal with their pain by burying the shame. Rather than dealing with the monsters and monstrous pain they've caused, they never speak of what's happened and allow the pain to keep bleeding through future generations.
This was so hard to read and for some I think they will draw a line at reading from an assaulter's POV. But in the case of this book the majority of assaulters are also victims. And indeed how far back do we have to draw history to see where the pain began? To some degree though it felt like the harm done and perpetuated at every generation was just too inconceivable. But this is I presume a work of fiction and I understand also why it was done.
[4.5]
This is an intergenerational story of passed down trauma and shame. the first few pages deals with a young woman who is trying to induce an abortion by drinking turpentine. She's advised it will kill her if she drinks too much; she must either bear it or perish. She makes this covenant with herself them and there and decides to bear it.
We follow along with 4 generations of her progeny who seem to similarly deal with their pain by burying the shame. Rather than dealing with the monsters and monstrous pain they've caused, they never speak of what's happened and allow the pain to keep bleeding through future generations.
This was so hard to read and for some I think they will draw a line at reading from an assaulter's POV. But in the case of this book the majority of assaulters are also victims. And indeed how far back do we have to draw history to see where the pain began? To some degree though it felt like the harm done and perpetuated at every generation was just too inconceivable. But this is I presume a work of fiction and I understand also why it was done.
[4.5]
August 16, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up!
Did I pick up this book solely because the author and I share the same first name? Absolutely.
I do recommend this book with hesitancy because there is graphic child sexual assault as well as other types of abuse in this book and abortions. Again, the content is very heavy, and I do not want to make light of that. I think the author does an incredible job of approaching these topics with grace.
Perish is a gut-wrenching family saga that deals with inherited generational trauma coupled with intergenerational violence in a brutally honest and unflinching manner. The story follows a Black Texan family from Jerusalem, TX. The story follows the life of the matriarch (Helen Jean) and how her decisions have affected the generations after her including her children and grandchildren. The story does alternate through multiple POVs as the reader gets to know Helen Jean, her children, and her grandchildren.
So much of this story focuses on burying the abuse and shame that happens within each generation, which inevitably leads to the cycle continuing. This story was so incredibly heartbreaking, and all the while I just wanted to scream at everyone, but in the same respect, we see these types of cycles continue within families to this day.
I do also want to point out that there are some chapters that are from the POV of one of the abusers, which again, was difficult to read. At no point did I think that these chapters served as a tool for sympathy, but instead ponders the age-old question of nature versus nurture as well as breaking the cycle of abuse.
If you're an audiobook lover, this one is fantastic because it is narrated by a full cast, which makes it easier to move through the alternating POVs.
Overall, I am just blown away by this incredibly powerful debut. While I don’t think that this book will be for everyone, I for one can’t wait to see what else is in store for this author.
Thank you PRH Audio & Tiny Reparations Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Did I pick up this book solely because the author and I share the same first name? Absolutely.
I do recommend this book with hesitancy because there is graphic child sexual assault as well as other types of abuse in this book and abortions. Again, the content is very heavy, and I do not want to make light of that. I think the author does an incredible job of approaching these topics with grace.
Perish is a gut-wrenching family saga that deals with inherited generational trauma coupled with intergenerational violence in a brutally honest and unflinching manner. The story follows a Black Texan family from Jerusalem, TX. The story follows the life of the matriarch (Helen Jean) and how her decisions have affected the generations after her including her children and grandchildren. The story does alternate through multiple POVs as the reader gets to know Helen Jean, her children, and her grandchildren.
So much of this story focuses on burying the abuse and shame that happens within each generation, which inevitably leads to the cycle continuing. This story was so incredibly heartbreaking, and all the while I just wanted to scream at everyone, but in the same respect, we see these types of cycles continue within families to this day.
I do also want to point out that there are some chapters that are from the POV of one of the abusers, which again, was difficult to read. At no point did I think that these chapters served as a tool for sympathy, but instead ponders the age-old question of nature versus nurture as well as breaking the cycle of abuse.
If you're an audiobook lover, this one is fantastic because it is narrated by a full cast, which makes it easier to move through the alternating POVs.
Overall, I am just blown away by this incredibly powerful debut. While I don’t think that this book will be for everyone, I for one can’t wait to see what else is in store for this author.
Thank you PRH Audio & Tiny Reparations Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2023
I absolutely hated this book but since this is a debut I am giving the author a bit of grace.
I get the generational trauma but this was too much! All the men were sex offenders and the women weren't good mothers. I kept getting people confused because again, all the men were sex offenders and all the women were bad mothers...lol.
And towards the end in the bathroom? Like, WTF? That little scene just seemed like unnecessary added violence (to himself)...but we didn't need it after so many pages of darkness and trauma.
I get the generational trauma but this was too much! All the men were sex offenders and the women weren't good mothers. I kept getting people confused because again, all the men were sex offenders and all the women were bad mothers...lol.
And towards the end in the bathroom? Like, WTF? That little scene just seemed like unnecessary added violence (to himself)...but we didn't need it after so many pages of darkness and trauma.
September 23, 2022
“A life to repay the last one, it said. You can’t keep killing them. Bear it or perish yourself”.
When a book hits close to home and even when the triggers rise or the memories flash upon you, you must continue reading. Continue reading because it took my late teens to understand that the cycle that festiated my family line and the predators I know were once preyed on too. The addicts I know once looked for a savior that never came so the temporary numbness would do enough. “Truth is easy to push down, to make something else when it’s an unconfirmed, unspoken thing”.
Perish by Latoya Watkins is twisted, relatable, and makes you look at your only family trauma to decide if you can further indulge some of the truth in this story that connects to you. I have shared this book with so many in conversation. To start, you may sympathize with Helen Jean, a victim of her daddy’s doing that has lead to a cycle of male rapist, sexual assault on little boy’s and girls, broken women, and the unjust of a family secret. The mental agony, eternal suffering, the lack of birth but the need to love and from each characters point of view, their side of the story makes you have to process much more. I loved this book because it hurts and though fictional, the dysfunctional and generational family ways of being has to be broken at some point.
“Every living thing ….” He uses his whole body to sigh. “These bodies. They got to perish, and it’s a whole lot of mercy in that”.
When a book hits close to home and even when the triggers rise or the memories flash upon you, you must continue reading. Continue reading because it took my late teens to understand that the cycle that festiated my family line and the predators I know were once preyed on too. The addicts I know once looked for a savior that never came so the temporary numbness would do enough. “Truth is easy to push down, to make something else when it’s an unconfirmed, unspoken thing”.
Perish by Latoya Watkins is twisted, relatable, and makes you look at your only family trauma to decide if you can further indulge some of the truth in this story that connects to you. I have shared this book with so many in conversation. To start, you may sympathize with Helen Jean, a victim of her daddy’s doing that has lead to a cycle of male rapist, sexual assault on little boy’s and girls, broken women, and the unjust of a family secret. The mental agony, eternal suffering, the lack of birth but the need to love and from each characters point of view, their side of the story makes you have to process much more. I loved this book because it hurts and though fictional, the dysfunctional and generational family ways of being has to be broken at some point.
“Every living thing ….” He uses his whole body to sigh. “These bodies. They got to perish, and it’s a whole lot of mercy in that”.
May 12, 2022
The phrase, “be a good ancestor,” kept coming to my mind as I read “Perish,” by LatoyaWatkins (coming August 2022), but being a good ancestor is hardly that simple. We’re only human. This superb family saga spans generations of Harper Jean’s family, the choices they make, and how those choices ripple through time and space. Harper Jean-the family matriarch-is dying, thus her children, grandchildren and other relatives must come together to hear her final words. This beautifully wrought family story brings trauma, heartache and the promise of hope and forgiveness together in a magnificent narrative full of complex believable characters who you will weep for, cheer for and long to see them step into and own their truths as we all must do.
November 24, 2022
TW: domestic violence, child abuse, molestation, rape, incest, miscarriage, suicide
When a mass amount of reviews show you that a book is filled to brim with trauma - believe it. I’m rating the book highly because several of the characters were around my age and from my city, as such there were a lot of anecdotes I could relate to. So for nostalgia’s sake and for the intimacy of the story, it deserved a higher rating (edit: as I wrote the review I recalled several troubling aspects that caused me to change my mind). However, I didn’t really enjoy the story as it was just so sad and invoked feelings of helplessness. I’ll try my best to explain without giving too much of the story away.
This is a story of generational trauma and how family secrets can swallow a family whole. In three alternating timelines, we follow a young woman who’s being abused and gives birth to a child she doesn’t want, cousins who live different lives but try to love and protect each other as they navigate poverty and dysfunction, and the cousins as adults who reunite as their grandmother reaches the end of her life. The second of the three was the most compelling timeline since it created the majority of the cohesion in the story. However as an audiobook listener, it faced the challenge of having too many characters that were underdeveloped and difficult to remember as the story moved on. I did read that there is a family tree in the physical copy that is helpful, I wish the author had considered the Audible audience and found a way to tie the characters together again so that there would be less confusion about who did what and to whom.
I also felt that it was too predictable at times. I may have read too many stories highlighting black trauma but halfway through the book, I had a very good idea of where it was going and I was right. I didn’t mind the journey to get there but I wish there had been less predictable twists or some sense or normalcy to counterbalance the crazy. Again, it wasn’t a bad story, just a depressing one.
One aspect I didn’t care for was the sprinkling of colorism the author chose to include. While I do feel it’s important that it’s discussed in the black community, the handling of it in this book wasn’t done well. The idea that a dark skinned character had to be directly from Africa and therefore “nasty” was disgusting. Also, it seems that almost all of the female characters were a light brown or beige skin tone, biracial or non-black. It seems this way because the author felt it necessary to describe their skin tone and eye color whenever introducing new female characters (I didn’t notice this much effort going into each of the male characters in the story). I can’t tell you how tired I am of books and movies pushing the narrative that those are the only black women of value who exist. For this, I had to lower my rating.
The story was compelling but if you’re familiar with The Color Purple, Perfect Peace or The Darkest Child, you might feel that this story wasn’t particularly unique or necessary. I appreciated that the theme of protecting loved ones being equal to protecting secrets, however. If you can get past the intensity of the subject matter, and you enjoy exploring generational pain, I’d definitely suggest this book. But be warned, it’s heavy. 3 stars.
When a mass amount of reviews show you that a book is filled to brim with trauma - believe it. I’m rating the book highly because several of the characters were around my age and from my city, as such there were a lot of anecdotes I could relate to. So for nostalgia’s sake and for the intimacy of the story, it deserved a higher rating (edit: as I wrote the review I recalled several troubling aspects that caused me to change my mind). However, I didn’t really enjoy the story as it was just so sad and invoked feelings of helplessness. I’ll try my best to explain without giving too much of the story away.
This is a story of generational trauma and how family secrets can swallow a family whole. In three alternating timelines, we follow a young woman who’s being abused and gives birth to a child she doesn’t want, cousins who live different lives but try to love and protect each other as they navigate poverty and dysfunction, and the cousins as adults who reunite as their grandmother reaches the end of her life. The second of the three was the most compelling timeline since it created the majority of the cohesion in the story. However as an audiobook listener, it faced the challenge of having too many characters that were underdeveloped and difficult to remember as the story moved on. I did read that there is a family tree in the physical copy that is helpful, I wish the author had considered the Audible audience and found a way to tie the characters together again so that there would be less confusion about who did what and to whom.
I also felt that it was too predictable at times. I may have read too many stories highlighting black trauma but halfway through the book, I had a very good idea of where it was going and I was right. I didn’t mind the journey to get there but I wish there had been less predictable twists or some sense or normalcy to counterbalance the crazy. Again, it wasn’t a bad story, just a depressing one.
One aspect I didn’t care for was the sprinkling of colorism the author chose to include. While I do feel it’s important that it’s discussed in the black community, the handling of it in this book wasn’t done well. The idea that a dark skinned character had to be directly from Africa and therefore “nasty” was disgusting. Also, it seems that almost all of the female characters were a light brown or beige skin tone, biracial or non-black. It seems this way because the author felt it necessary to describe their skin tone and eye color whenever introducing new female characters (I didn’t notice this much effort going into each of the male characters in the story). I can’t tell you how tired I am of books and movies pushing the narrative that those are the only black women of value who exist. For this, I had to lower my rating.
The story was compelling but if you’re familiar with The Color Purple, Perfect Peace or The Darkest Child, you might feel that this story wasn’t particularly unique or necessary. I appreciated that the theme of protecting loved ones being equal to protecting secrets, however. If you can get past the intensity of the subject matter, and you enjoy exploring generational pain, I’d definitely suggest this book. But be warned, it’s heavy. 3 stars.
February 27, 2024
I’ve been wanting to read this for so long I could’ve went without it. I’m so sorry 😭
Trauma on every page !!!! It takes a while to figure out all the different characters but I can’t find one thing I actually liked about this book & I loooovee historical fiction.
All the mothers & men in the book are TRASH. I would only recommend this book to somebody who older and needs to be held accountable for family trauma & secrets.
What was the point of this book ?? & the bathroom scene ? W T F 😶
Trauma on every page !!!! It takes a while to figure out all the different characters but I can’t find one thing I actually liked about this book & I loooovee historical fiction.
All the mothers & men in the book are TRASH. I would only recommend this book to somebody who older and needs to be held accountable for family trauma & secrets.
What was the point of this book ?? & the bathroom scene ? W T F 😶
September 14, 2022
Unrelentingly miserable
November 17, 2022
I did find this novel a bit confusing due to the multiple narrators and various time frames. But the family tree in the front of the book was very helpful there. This is a novel about the multi-generational damage that can be done in a family that has too many secrets.
August 12, 2022
This wasn’t an easy read but I COULD NOT look away.
PERISH follows the lives of Helen Jean, her children and grandchildren over decades of inherited and intergenerational trauma. Readers experience their confrontation with heartbreak, pain and each other when they reunite to say goodbye to the family matriarch.
I appreciated the characters’ internal struggle with their trauma and vulnerabilities. It reflected what is often seen in a lot of families who don’t speak of, let alone name their ‘shame’. Watkins did a good job of allowing the characters to speak in their own time and allowing readers to share in those intimacies without feeling like an intrusive presence.
This isn’t an easy read because it explores content that is both triggering and uncomfortable. However, it is a story that I could not look away from because I was so emotionally consumed that I felt a responsibility to the characters to see their story through.
Described as “a powerful debut novel about a Black Texan family” PERISH has lived up to that expectation. It is an expression of all the ways trauma can breed brokenness and the non-linear and sometimes lengthy journey that is healing.
A solid debut. Definite recommendation.
PERISH follows the lives of Helen Jean, her children and grandchildren over decades of inherited and intergenerational trauma. Readers experience their confrontation with heartbreak, pain and each other when they reunite to say goodbye to the family matriarch.
I appreciated the characters’ internal struggle with their trauma and vulnerabilities. It reflected what is often seen in a lot of families who don’t speak of, let alone name their ‘shame’. Watkins did a good job of allowing the characters to speak in their own time and allowing readers to share in those intimacies without feeling like an intrusive presence.
This isn’t an easy read because it explores content that is both triggering and uncomfortable. However, it is a story that I could not look away from because I was so emotionally consumed that I felt a responsibility to the characters to see their story through.
Described as “a powerful debut novel about a Black Texan family” PERISH has lived up to that expectation. It is an expression of all the ways trauma can breed brokenness and the non-linear and sometimes lengthy journey that is healing.
A solid debut. Definite recommendation.
August 31, 2022
Gathering my thoughts freshly after closing book and I’m aghast. This is a gravely necessary piece of literature, however I want other readers enter it with complete caution and fully aware of triggers (child rape, child neglect, infertility and fertility, self harm, animal cruelty, suicide, mental health, mutilation, and the list goes on).
This family tree will make you cry and want to uproot the entire tree then burn it down - but even then you’ll be left to wonder if it’s seeped into the land that it’s burned on to taint the next tree.
As bad as I want to say Julie B. is worse than Grandmoan, it leads me down the path of pointing my finger at everyone trying to find blame. Even with Albert Pines being the “root” of it all, I’m sure if he had the space or sanity to speak he would have his fair share of reasonings/excuses/explanations, too.
I cannot say I loved the book because it’s odd to describe something with a context that is so damaging and heartbreaking as lovable, but I love it in the sense of the power that it has to recognize families and trauma. Perish is gravely necessary and I mean that.
This family tree will make you cry and want to uproot the entire tree then burn it down - but even then you’ll be left to wonder if it’s seeped into the land that it’s burned on to taint the next tree.
As bad as I want to say Julie B. is worse than Grandmoan, it leads me down the path of pointing my finger at everyone trying to find blame. Even with Albert Pines being the “root” of it all, I’m sure if he had the space or sanity to speak he would have his fair share of reasonings/excuses/explanations, too.
I cannot say I loved the book because it’s odd to describe something with a context that is so damaging and heartbreaking as lovable, but I love it in the sense of the power that it has to recognize families and trauma. Perish is gravely necessary and I mean that.
April 5, 2024
Perish was a HARD one to read for sure. I know y’all said it was full of trauma but I didn’t think it’ll entail all of that. As a mental health therapist — this book really opened my eyes even more on why healing is imperative. Dysfunction is like a disease it’ll continue to spread if it’s NOT dealt with at the root.
Each member of the Turner Family told their story from their own perspective/point of view. The damage that continues through a lineage when things are swept under the rug & never dealt with. It always find its way to the light & that’s exactly what happened in Perish.
The family tree did make this book a lot easier to read because it can get very confusing with the multiple narrator/timelines.
This is definitely a book that you should NOT go into blindly — I’d suggest reading the trigger warnings as it discuss some pretty tough topics such as: (rape, suicide, sexual assault, incest, molestation, miscarriage, child abuse).
.
Each member of the Turner Family told their story from their own perspective/point of view. The damage that continues through a lineage when things are swept under the rug & never dealt with. It always find its way to the light & that’s exactly what happened in Perish.
The family tree did make this book a lot easier to read because it can get very confusing with the multiple narrator/timelines.
This is definitely a book that you should NOT go into blindly — I’d suggest reading the trigger warnings as it discuss some pretty tough topics such as: (rape, suicide, sexual assault, incest, molestation, miscarriage, child abuse).
.
October 24, 2022
so much pain
March 24, 2024
Okay I’m gonna keep this one short and simple. This book . . . . . this boooooook . . . The Turner family‼️ I’ve never read anything so traumatizing and gut-wrenching in my life like I don’t know where to begin. The writing was very descriptive and the dialogue was raw love Latoya Watkins but the way she wove this book together it’s not for the faint hearted man. It was sooooo heartbreaking not even a happy ending. PERISH is the right title because that’s exactly the energy it gave. It was so hard to love any of the characters if anything I felt bad for them all.
So, much generational trauma and everyone turned a blind eye to what was happening. Was it outta fear or complete denial? Helen Jean failed her children and grandchildren because someone failed her. I kept thinking when will this end because it was all so horrific. I do applaud Watkins for touching on such a tough subject because let’s be honest this was very common back in the day I just wasn’t ready for it. I can’t even tell you how many times I stopped in between reading this.
Overall, the book was okay just traumatic asf and tough to read at times. I’m not gonna say I recommend but if you want your heart ripped out of your chest then read it but be prepared‼️
So, much generational trauma and everyone turned a blind eye to what was happening. Was it outta fear or complete denial? Helen Jean failed her children and grandchildren because someone failed her. I kept thinking when will this end because it was all so horrific. I do applaud Watkins for touching on such a tough subject because let’s be honest this was very common back in the day I just wasn’t ready for it. I can’t even tell you how many times I stopped in between reading this.
Overall, the book was okay just traumatic asf and tough to read at times. I’m not gonna say I recommend but if you want your heart ripped out of your chest then read it but be prepared‼️
February 26, 2024
This is her first book. I read the second one first. & I’m glad I did. The second book : HOLLER CHILD , was a great book to me. Honestly one of my favorites. I love short stories. & that book has a different short stories, that leave you wanting to read more.
This book is set up good. I like that it all kind of ties together. I just got a little confused with the names.
If the Names & family members had been split up a little better, it would have been a 5 Star for me.
If you can keep up with multiple characters then you’ll like it. It has the typical family drama / trauma of the Black Family historical fiction era books. But the secret’s in this one definitely took it up a notch.
This book is set up good. I like that it all kind of ties together. I just got a little confused with the names.
If the Names & family members had been split up a little better, it would have been a 5 Star for me.
If you can keep up with multiple characters then you’ll like it. It has the typical family drama / trauma of the Black Family historical fiction era books. But the secret’s in this one definitely took it up a notch.
Read
August 13, 2022Incredibly dark and difficult read, but compelling and moving, and an insightful look at intergenerational trauma. It is hard to summarize, but it revolves around four generations of a Black Texan family, who have gathered to say goodbye to their matriarch. Everyone in the family is suffering, but not all of them know why, or they know parts of the puzzle, and it all must come out before any of them can move forward.
Watkins's control of her characters' POVs and distinct voices, thought processes, and decisions is remarkable. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, and the pace is notably fast for a story that unfurls partly in memories. There was a point at which the number of instances of violence began to reach a count that felt almost unbelievable even for a work that stretches across many decades (more below), but there is a feeling of bearing witness that makes the reader want to see the story through to its end. For readers of literary fiction, complex family stories, stories of intergeneration trauma; and for readers interested in character-driven stories with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. I think Watkins will garner a loyal readership instantaneously; I am already looking forward to what she will write next.
*vague spoilers due to content warnings*
While I can see myself doing readers' advisory for this title, I could not in good faith recommend it without urging potential readers to consult trigger warnings from reviews - this book contains over half a dozen implied or explicit scenes of rape, all of which involve a victim who is a minor (most are pre-pubescent) and nearly all of which involve incest. I struggled to get through this book because of these; because these events are central to the story and could be considered spoilers, there is nothing in the copy that suggests even one instance, let alone multiple. Many readers pick something up based on the copy, and so here they may find themselves blindsided by the devastating violence throughout. While there was no content warning in the ARC, I do hope the publisher includes one in the final printed edition.
Many thanks to Tiny Reparations and NetGalley for the advance copy.
[Read for MBC committee.]
Watkins's control of her characters' POVs and distinct voices, thought processes, and decisions is remarkable. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, and the pace is notably fast for a story that unfurls partly in memories. There was a point at which the number of instances of violence began to reach a count that felt almost unbelievable even for a work that stretches across many decades (more below), but there is a feeling of bearing witness that makes the reader want to see the story through to its end. For readers of literary fiction, complex family stories, stories of intergeneration trauma; and for readers interested in character-driven stories with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. I think Watkins will garner a loyal readership instantaneously; I am already looking forward to what she will write next.
*vague spoilers due to content warnings*
While I can see myself doing readers' advisory for this title, I could not in good faith recommend it without urging potential readers to consult trigger warnings from reviews - this book contains over half a dozen implied or explicit scenes of rape, all of which involve a victim who is a minor (most are pre-pubescent) and nearly all of which involve incest. I struggled to get through this book because of these; because these events are central to the story and could be considered spoilers, there is nothing in the copy that suggests even one instance, let alone multiple. Many readers pick something up based on the copy, and so here they may find themselves blindsided by the devastating violence throughout. While there was no content warning in the ARC, I do hope the publisher includes one in the final printed edition.
Many thanks to Tiny Reparations and NetGalley for the advance copy.
[Read for MBC committee.]
August 25, 2022
Sins of the father.
Generational curses.
And then there was Helen Jean, the only female in her father’s house.
The family’s mean-spirited, self-centered, cruel, and mentally ill matriarch.
But, if you were dealt the hand Helen Jean was dealt, while you might not like her, you would understand why.
She was only trying to survive in a male dominated world.
She had more secrets than a lil’ bit.
Secrets that were hurtful, harmful, and dangerous.
Secrets that destroy families and maim them too!
Perish by Latoya Watkins is an intriguing, thrilling read and a page turner.
It was a quick read because it was a train wreck coming at full speed and while I wanted to turn away I couldn’t.
Most of the characters were not likeable. While I liked nothing about Helen Jean’s father or Helen Jean’s ways, my heart went out to her. She was truly a product of her environment.
The sins of her father were a generational curse for everyone who came from his blood line, including Helen Jean. There was no wonder that everyone in this family tree had a cross to bear. Horrible, unbearable environments can produce very damaged spirits and tortured souls.
Highly recommend this read to others who enjoy family saga/drama with imperfect moms and dads, and siblings too.
Generational curses.
And then there was Helen Jean, the only female in her father’s house.
The family’s mean-spirited, self-centered, cruel, and mentally ill matriarch.
But, if you were dealt the hand Helen Jean was dealt, while you might not like her, you would understand why.
She was only trying to survive in a male dominated world.
She had more secrets than a lil’ bit.
Secrets that were hurtful, harmful, and dangerous.
Secrets that destroy families and maim them too!
Perish by Latoya Watkins is an intriguing, thrilling read and a page turner.
It was a quick read because it was a train wreck coming at full speed and while I wanted to turn away I couldn’t.
Most of the characters were not likeable. While I liked nothing about Helen Jean’s father or Helen Jean’s ways, my heart went out to her. She was truly a product of her environment.
The sins of her father were a generational curse for everyone who came from his blood line, including Helen Jean. There was no wonder that everyone in this family tree had a cross to bear. Horrible, unbearable environments can produce very damaged spirits and tortured souls.
Highly recommend this read to others who enjoy family saga/drama with imperfect moms and dads, and siblings too.
September 21, 2022
This family’s “reunion” unearths long-kept secrets and forces each member to ask themselves important questions about who is deserving of forgiveness and who bears the cross of blame.
Set in vividly drawn Texas and tackling themes like trauma, legacy, faith, home, class, race, and more, this beautiful yet heart heart-wrenching novel will appeal to anyone who is interested in the intricacies of family
This book needs a trauma label across the front and in the middle and on the back trauma filled. The beginning is a bit muddled with all of the chapters switching back-and-forth it’s a little hard to keep track of who’s who. Because there’s so many different names being mentioned throughout the chapters and you almost need a flow chart to remember who is talking and their back story. As you make your way through the chapters you finally get a sense of what’s happening and put the story together but you are nowhere ready for where this book is going to end it’s going to leave you questioning everything and not really give you any answers.
Set in vividly drawn Texas and tackling themes like trauma, legacy, faith, home, class, race, and more, this beautiful yet heart heart-wrenching novel will appeal to anyone who is interested in the intricacies of family
This book needs a trauma label across the front and in the middle and on the back trauma filled. The beginning is a bit muddled with all of the chapters switching back-and-forth it’s a little hard to keep track of who’s who. Because there’s so many different names being mentioned throughout the chapters and you almost need a flow chart to remember who is talking and their back story. As you make your way through the chapters you finally get a sense of what’s happening and put the story together but you are nowhere ready for where this book is going to end it’s going to leave you questioning everything and not really give you any answers.
August 31, 2022
This is a wild ride! I had no clue what I was getting myself into but it definitely should come with some kind of warning. This is not a happy, feel-good title. It is very dark. Key trigger warnings include: incest, rape, suicide, drug addition
Initially, it was difficult for me to follow the family tree and who belonged to who. But now that I am finished, I am almost feel as though that was done intentionally because of how the family tree truly is. Overall, this book is very well written. I wasn't sold on the story at first but as I continued I can appreciate the underlying theme of breaking generational curses.
I can definitely feel the Toni Morrison influence as I was reading this.
Initially, it was difficult for me to follow the family tree and who belonged to who. But now that I am finished, I am almost feel as though that was done intentionally because of how the family tree truly is. Overall, this book is very well written. I wasn't sold on the story at first but as I continued I can appreciate the underlying theme of breaking generational curses.
I can definitely feel the Toni Morrison influence as I was reading this.
June 9, 2022
3.5 stars
Brutal, difficult but compelling read. This centers around a dying matriarch and how her decisions effect future generations. Generational trauma and violence take it's toll on members of the family as they go and say goodbye to her. Flashing back via multiple points of view, the story and secrets begin to emerge, culminating into a shocking scene, hoping to break the pattern. For readers of Jesmyn Ward, Yaa Gyasi, and Margaret Wilkerson Sexton.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Brutal, difficult but compelling read. This centers around a dying matriarch and how her decisions effect future generations. Generational trauma and violence take it's toll on members of the family as they go and say goodbye to her. Flashing back via multiple points of view, the story and secrets begin to emerge, culminating into a shocking scene, hoping to break the pattern. For readers of Jesmyn Ward, Yaa Gyasi, and Margaret Wilkerson Sexton.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
September 11, 2022
The trauma that bonded & broke this family… man. Be sure to read trigger warnings, this was rough but, very well written. Each character really was their own.
August 29, 2023
Easily one of my favorite reads of the year! Watkins is absolutely an Instant-Buy/Immediate Pre-Order author for me. (And I’ve already preordered Holler, Child)
Watkins is able to easily channel some of the best parts of Toni Morrison while also emerging as her own confident voice in this story filled with complex characters and complex traumas. I am in love with this book and the emotional journey each character goes on.
I’ve seen some say the ending is abrupt; however, I thought it was genuinely perfect. Nothing is left hanging, and it’s and that promises the possibility of light in the wake of this family’s dark, dark history.
Watkins is able to easily channel some of the best parts of Toni Morrison while also emerging as her own confident voice in this story filled with complex characters and complex traumas. I am in love with this book and the emotional journey each character goes on.
I’ve seen some say the ending is abrupt; however, I thought it was genuinely perfect. Nothing is left hanging, and it’s and that promises the possibility of light in the wake of this family’s dark, dark history.
August 22, 2022
Perish is Latoya Watkins’ debut novel about a black family in Texas grappling with the effects of generational trauma. The story is told from multiple POVs and moves back and forth in time over the course of 60 years. As the family gathers together in Jerusalem, TX to say goodbye to their matriarch Helen Jean, they’re forced to confront the pain and dark secrets of their past.
Despite the difficult subject matter in this story, I could not put this book down. If I hadn’t known that this was a debut, I would have assumed this was the work of an author who’s written numerous novels. Watkins has a true talent for creating compelling characters that are believable and well-developed. Although I didn’t always agree with Helen Jean’s choices or her parenting style, I enjoyed reading her chapters the most. While faced with unimaginable adversity and abuse at the hands of a family member, she remained resilient and determined to live life on her own terms. Her internal struggle over the ongoing debate of “nature vs nurture” will undoubtedly make for a great discussion topic among book clubs. In addition to great storytelling and powerful characters, another reason I found it difficult to put this book down was due to the consistent pacing. The foreshadowing and allusions to parts of the story that hadn’t yet been revealed was done in a way that kept me wanting to know more and piqued my curiosity rather than making me feel like I was lost or left in the dark. There’s also a jaw-dropping event at the end that I didn’t expect, but served as the culmination of decades of unhealed trauma within the Turner family. I realize that the topics in this book will be uncomfortable and triggering for many, but unfortunately these experiences are reality for many families which is why I think this is a very important story. Content warnings are included below.
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books for providing me with both an ARC and finished copy of this novel.
Content Warnings: incest, rape, miscarriage, abortion, suicide, drug use, mental illness
Despite the difficult subject matter in this story, I could not put this book down. If I hadn’t known that this was a debut, I would have assumed this was the work of an author who’s written numerous novels. Watkins has a true talent for creating compelling characters that are believable and well-developed. Although I didn’t always agree with Helen Jean’s choices or her parenting style, I enjoyed reading her chapters the most. While faced with unimaginable adversity and abuse at the hands of a family member, she remained resilient and determined to live life on her own terms. Her internal struggle over the ongoing debate of “nature vs nurture” will undoubtedly make for a great discussion topic among book clubs. In addition to great storytelling and powerful characters, another reason I found it difficult to put this book down was due to the consistent pacing. The foreshadowing and allusions to parts of the story that hadn’t yet been revealed was done in a way that kept me wanting to know more and piqued my curiosity rather than making me feel like I was lost or left in the dark. There’s also a jaw-dropping event at the end that I didn’t expect, but served as the culmination of decades of unhealed trauma within the Turner family. I realize that the topics in this book will be uncomfortable and triggering for many, but unfortunately these experiences are reality for many families which is why I think this is a very important story. Content warnings are included below.
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books for providing me with both an ARC and finished copy of this novel.
Content Warnings: incest, rape, miscarriage, abortion, suicide, drug use, mental illness
August 5, 2022
This book is a powerfully written and insightful examination of intergenerational trauma and the many complex ways it impacts family dynamics. Perish is written from the perspective of four different family members as they reunite to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed.
I appreciated that each character whose perspective we heard had their truly unique voice. We got to know each of these characters from their own perspective, as well as from the vantage point of their family members. This book also provided a gut-wrenching depiction how trauma can be passed down through generations of a family, and the fragmentations that occur in family relationships when it is.
Perish is insightful and moving, and provides a critically important message about the effects of intergenerational trauma. That said, I do have to note that it was a book that I struggled to get through due to the emotionally heavy content. I do believe that this book come with several content warnings for violence and sexual assault. There are a few additional notes, though it is not possible to provide these without spoilers.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Goodreads Giveaways.
I appreciated that each character whose perspective we heard had their truly unique voice. We got to know each of these characters from their own perspective, as well as from the vantage point of their family members. This book also provided a gut-wrenching depiction how trauma can be passed down through generations of a family, and the fragmentations that occur in family relationships when it is.
Perish is insightful and moving, and provides a critically important message about the effects of intergenerational trauma. That said, I do have to note that it was a book that I struggled to get through due to the emotionally heavy content. I do believe that this book come with several content warnings for violence and sexual assault. There are a few additional notes, though it is not possible to provide these without spoilers.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Goodreads Giveaways.
July 26, 2022
The things we don’t talk about are often the things that hurt the most. This book dives into secrets and the ways those secrets impact how we raise our children as well as the assumptions we make when secrets stay hidden. It also addresses the internal conflicts we experience. For example, how do we forgive someone while still being mad about their actions? Can we feel sorry for someone who hurts us or those we love?
I was impressed with the ability of the writer to capture so many emotions and intertwine the perspectives of each generation so seamlessly.
I was impressed with the ability of the writer to capture so many emotions and intertwine the perspectives of each generation so seamlessly.
July 13, 2023
I wanted to like this book but it is all over the place. There’s too many characters and the plot is all over the place. There is a lot of sexual violence for which there is no true consequences for the perpetrators. And there’s the ending, It makes no sense. If there was more character development the last acts of violence might have made sense but it seems like it was all for shock value.
July 1, 2022
4.5 Stars
I received this book for free via Goodreads Giveaways.
Not for the faint of heart, this powerful book examines the effects of trauma as it ripples through the generations of a family, tackling complex issues without holding back. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!
I received this book for free via Goodreads Giveaways.
Not for the faint of heart, this powerful book examines the effects of trauma as it ripples through the generations of a family, tackling complex issues without holding back. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!
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