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The Seven Daughters of Dupree
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Expected 27 Jan 26Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 07:35:15
80 copies available
U.S. only
From the two-time Emmy Award–winning producer and host of the Black and Published podcast comes a sweeping multi-generational epic following seven generations of Dupree women as they navigate love, loss, and the unyielding ties of family in the tradition of Homegoing and The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois.
It’s 1995, and fourteen-year-old Tati is determined to uncover the identity of her father. But her mother, Nadia, keeps her secrets close, while her grandmother Gladys remains silent about the family’s past, including why she left Land’s End, Alabama, in 1953. As Tati digs deeper, she uncovers a legacy of family secrets, where every generation of Dupree women has posed more questions than answers.
From Jubi in 1917, whose attempt to pass for white ends when she gives birth to Ruby; to Ruby’s fiery lust for Sampson in 1934 that leads to a baby of her own; to the night in 1980 that changed Nadia’s future forever, the Dupree women carry the weight of their heritage. Bound by a mysterious malediction that means they will only give birth to daughters, the Dupree women confront a legacy of pain, resilience, and survival that began with an enslaved ancestor who risked everything for freedom.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree masterfully weaves together themes of generational trauma, Black women’s resilience, and unbreakable familial bonds. Echoing the literary power of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, Nikesha Elise Williams delivers a feminist literary fiction that explores the ripple effects of actions, secrets, and love through seven generations of Black women.
It’s 1995, and fourteen-year-old Tati is determined to uncover the identity of her father. But her mother, Nadia, keeps her secrets close, while her grandmother Gladys remains silent about the family’s past, including why she left Land’s End, Alabama, in 1953. As Tati digs deeper, she uncovers a legacy of family secrets, where every generation of Dupree women has posed more questions than answers.
From Jubi in 1917, whose attempt to pass for white ends when she gives birth to Ruby; to Ruby’s fiery lust for Sampson in 1934 that leads to a baby of her own; to the night in 1980 that changed Nadia’s future forever, the Dupree women carry the weight of their heritage. Bound by a mysterious malediction that means they will only give birth to daughters, the Dupree women confront a legacy of pain, resilience, and survival that began with an enslaved ancestor who risked everything for freedom.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree masterfully weaves together themes of generational trauma, Black women’s resilience, and unbreakable familial bonds. Echoing the literary power of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, Nikesha Elise Williams delivers a feminist literary fiction that explores the ripple effects of actions, secrets, and love through seven generations of Black women.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 27, 2026
24 people are currently reading
35948 people want to read
About the author
Nikesha Elise Williams
9 books132 followersNikesha Elise Williams is a two-time Emmy award winning news producer and author. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and attended The Florida State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Communication: Mass Media Studies and Honors English Creative Writing. Nikesha’s debut novel, Four Women, was awarded the 2018 Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Award in the category of Adult Contemporary/Literary Fiction. Four Women, was also recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists as an Outstanding Literary Work. Nikesha is a full time writer and writing coach and has freelanced for several publications including ESSENCE, VOX, Very Smart Brothas, and Shadow and Act. Nikesha lives in Jacksonville, Florida, but you can always find her online at contact@newwrites.com, Facebook.com/NikeshaElise or @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 30, 2025
The Seven Daughters of Dupree was an emotional and powerful journey through generations of women bound by secrets, resilience, and an unshakable legacy. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Tati’s search for truth and identity—it felt so personal and raw. As each layer of the Dupree family history was revealed, I found myself moved by the pain, love, and sacrifice woven into their stories.
I’ll be honest—at first, the timeline shifts and introduction of so many characters left me a little disoriented. But once I settled into the rhythm, it became easier to follow and incredibly rewarding. Every chapter added depth and clarity, making the full picture come together in a really impactful way.
Each woman had her faults—there were definitely moments where I didn’t like their choices—but seeing things from their point of view made me understand them. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for what they endured and the strength it took to survive.
This book is a celebration of the strength of Black women, of legacy, of pain and perseverance passed down like an heirloom.
Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
I’ll be honest—at first, the timeline shifts and introduction of so many characters left me a little disoriented. But once I settled into the rhythm, it became easier to follow and incredibly rewarding. Every chapter added depth and clarity, making the full picture come together in a really impactful way.
Each woman had her faults—there were definitely moments where I didn’t like their choices—but seeing things from their point of view made me understand them. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for what they endured and the strength it took to survive.
This book is a celebration of the strength of Black women, of legacy, of pain and perseverance passed down like an heirloom.
Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
August 21, 2025
Wow. This book was such a moving and layered read. Spanning generations of Dupree women from 1917 to 1995, the story unravels family secrets, heartbreak, resilience, and the deep, unbreakable bonds of womanhood.
What stood out most to me was the way each generation’s story built upon the last — from Jubi’s attempt to pass as white, to Ruby’s fiery passion, to Nadia’s haunting choices, and finally to Tati’s search for truth. Each woman’s voice felt distinct yet tied together by the legacy they carried. The theme of generational trauma and resilience was written so vividly, it made me pause and reflect on the strength that’s often passed down through women — even when it comes with pain.
Tropes / Themes I loved:
🌙 Generational Saga
🌙 Family Secrets
🌙 Coming-of-Age
🌙 Legacy & Inheritance
🌙 Resilience of Black Women
What I Learned:
This story reminded me that silence can weigh just as heavily as words — secrets don’t disappear, they echo through generations until someone has the courage to face them. It also highlighted the power of resilience, how love and survival often coexist in complicated ways, and how confronting the past is often the only way to change the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable novel that will stay with me long after the last page.
Huge thanks to netgalley, and Nikesha Elise Williams for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What stood out most to me was the way each generation’s story built upon the last — from Jubi’s attempt to pass as white, to Ruby’s fiery passion, to Nadia’s haunting choices, and finally to Tati’s search for truth. Each woman’s voice felt distinct yet tied together by the legacy they carried. The theme of generational trauma and resilience was written so vividly, it made me pause and reflect on the strength that’s often passed down through women — even when it comes with pain.
Tropes / Themes I loved:
🌙 Generational Saga
🌙 Family Secrets
🌙 Coming-of-Age
🌙 Legacy & Inheritance
🌙 Resilience of Black Women
What I Learned:
This story reminded me that silence can weigh just as heavily as words — secrets don’t disappear, they echo through generations until someone has the courage to face them. It also highlighted the power of resilience, how love and survival often coexist in complicated ways, and how confronting the past is often the only way to change the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable novel that will stay with me long after the last page.
Huge thanks to netgalley, and Nikesha Elise Williams for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 25, 2025
Where do I begin? The Seven Daughters of Dupree is just as haunting as it is unforgettable. We get to experience every hardship, heartache, and victories of seven generations of Dupree women. The writing and story telling were equally enrapturing. If you enjoyed GROWN WOMEN and ZEAL, you’ll absolutely love this as well.
July 19, 2025
The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams is a beautifully written historical/literary fiction novel set in Land’s End, Alabama. It is a tale of several generations of women who are “cursed” to birth only girls. Never having known her father, Tati, is on a mission to discover who he is and to unravel secrets held tightly by the women in her family. Williams takes the reader into the past to discover the stories of seven generations of strong African American women ….their pain, trauma, struggles, love, and family bonds. I really enjoyed this novel, with one caveat; at times I felt distracted by the time jumps and multiple POVs. So, if you are a reader who struggles with a nonlinear plot, this may take a bit longer for you to read. Nonetheless, it is well worth the extra time it may take to finish. Thanks to NetGalley and Simmon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions given are honest and my own.
November 16, 2025
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a sweeping, exquisitely layered novel that traces seven generations of Black women whose lives are shaped by secrets, silence, and a lineage marked by both burden and ancestral brilliance. Williams moves fluidly across time from 1917 to the mid-1990s and yet the storytelling never feels fragmented. Each woman’s story is clear, distinct, and emotionally grounded in her personality, building a powerful chorus that illustrates how the past continues to shape the present.
I’m someone who often loses interest when a novel shifts frequently between eras and perspectives, especially when many characters are involved. But Williams handles each transition with such precision and care that the Dupree women feel not only interconnected but essential to one another’s stories. Even when she focuses on a single character, the echoes of the others choices, their losses, their loves—vibrate underneath every layer.
I loved how rich and deeply human these women are written: their inner dialogues, their fears, their desires, their inherited wounds, and their hard-won wisdom. Williams offers readers a nuanced reflection on the enduring impact of slavery, the weight of generational trauma, and the ancestral knowledge that both haunts and sustains Black families—especially Black women.
I didn’t want this novel to end. It is one of the most compelling explorations of matriarchal lineage I’ve ever read, and it left me thinking about my own family’s stories and the ways history continues to move through us. For readers exploring ancestry, healing generational wounds, or simply craving a richly told, character-driven narrative, The Seven Daughters of Dupree is an unforgettable novel that honors the power of the women who came before us and the ones still finding their way home.
TW: Sexual Assault; Abuse; Slavery
I’m someone who often loses interest when a novel shifts frequently between eras and perspectives, especially when many characters are involved. But Williams handles each transition with such precision and care that the Dupree women feel not only interconnected but essential to one another’s stories. Even when she focuses on a single character, the echoes of the others choices, their losses, their loves—vibrate underneath every layer.
I loved how rich and deeply human these women are written: their inner dialogues, their fears, their desires, their inherited wounds, and their hard-won wisdom. Williams offers readers a nuanced reflection on the enduring impact of slavery, the weight of generational trauma, and the ancestral knowledge that both haunts and sustains Black families—especially Black women.
I didn’t want this novel to end. It is one of the most compelling explorations of matriarchal lineage I’ve ever read, and it left me thinking about my own family’s stories and the ways history continues to move through us. For readers exploring ancestry, healing generational wounds, or simply craving a richly told, character-driven narrative, The Seven Daughters of Dupree is an unforgettable novel that honors the power of the women who came before us and the ones still finding their way home.
TW: Sexual Assault; Abuse; Slavery
November 2, 2025
Thank you to my local bookstore for providing this ARC.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a powerful, multi-generational story that traces the legacy of one family line of women across more than a century—women who carry love, loss, violence, resilience, and inherited memory in their blood.
The story moves between timelines and perspectives—mothers, daughters, grandmothers—and it asks the reader to sit with the complexity of lineage: how secrets echo, how grief shapes identity, and how love is passed down even when stories are not.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure where the narrative was leading, but once the threads began to intertwine, everything clicked into place in a way that felt intentional and beautifully crafted. The pacing deepens as the story progresses, and the emotional payoff when the generational lines converge is incredibly moving.
The characters are vivid—especially Mimi, whose sharp honesty hides her own history of pain, and Tati, whose longing for truth forms the emotional core of the book. Emma and Jubilee’s storyline was heartbreaking and unforgettable. Their histories are not softened or made palatable; they are told with truth.
Some moments are difficult to read because of the realities these women faced, but they are written with care and purpose. The book honors both ancestral trauma and ancestral strength, showing how history lives in the bodies, choices, and silences of those who come after.
A deeply layered novel about legacy, womanhood, and the quiet, powerful ways we find our way home.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a powerful, multi-generational story that traces the legacy of one family line of women across more than a century—women who carry love, loss, violence, resilience, and inherited memory in their blood.
The story moves between timelines and perspectives—mothers, daughters, grandmothers—and it asks the reader to sit with the complexity of lineage: how secrets echo, how grief shapes identity, and how love is passed down even when stories are not.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure where the narrative was leading, but once the threads began to intertwine, everything clicked into place in a way that felt intentional and beautifully crafted. The pacing deepens as the story progresses, and the emotional payoff when the generational lines converge is incredibly moving.
The characters are vivid—especially Mimi, whose sharp honesty hides her own history of pain, and Tati, whose longing for truth forms the emotional core of the book. Emma and Jubilee’s storyline was heartbreaking and unforgettable. Their histories are not softened or made palatable; they are told with truth.
Some moments are difficult to read because of the realities these women faced, but they are written with care and purpose. The book honors both ancestral trauma and ancestral strength, showing how history lives in the bodies, choices, and silences of those who come after.
A deeply layered novel about legacy, womanhood, and the quiet, powerful ways we find our way home.
December 28, 2025
“They cut off her head because she ran…Separated from her body, she still wasn’t dead…Minds could never be tamed”
Tati just wanted to get to know her dad but my girl had a bit more dip on her chip. This story follows the lineage of the Dupree women. Each facing their own challenges but are unknowingly linked to their Matriarch…her spirit lived through them and showed up in facets that seemed/believed to be cursed…
Told in a multi POV timeline, this multigenerational historical fiction taps into themes of family secrets, mother-daughter relationships, trauma, survival, and healing. I can honestly say that though the origin of the Dupree women started on a plantation, slavery wasn’t overly shared…to me, all the women were free because their minds were just that. Highlighting the spirit that comes from our hair gave me chills during each characters journey. The significance in the weaving of tresses and the weaving of characters with back and forth timelines…genius.
Tati just wanted to get to know her dad but my girl had a bit more dip on her chip. This story follows the lineage of the Dupree women. Each facing their own challenges but are unknowingly linked to their Matriarch…her spirit lived through them and showed up in facets that seemed/believed to be cursed…
Told in a multi POV timeline, this multigenerational historical fiction taps into themes of family secrets, mother-daughter relationships, trauma, survival, and healing. I can honestly say that though the origin of the Dupree women started on a plantation, slavery wasn’t overly shared…to me, all the women were free because their minds were just that. Highlighting the spirit that comes from our hair gave me chills during each characters journey. The significance in the weaving of tresses and the weaving of characters with back and forth timelines…genius.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nikesha Elise Williams’ “The Seven Daughters of Dupree” is a breathtaking story of history, memory, and love that spans nearly a century. At the heart of the novel is Tati, a courageous fourteen-year-old in 1995, whose quest to uncover her father’s identity becomes a journey into the hidden truths of the Dupree family. Williams expertly unravels the secrets of each generation, from Jubi’s heartbreaking decision in 1917 to Nadia’s life-altering night in 1980, revealing how the past relentlessly shapes the present.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Black womanhood and the complexities of inheritance—of trauma, resilience, and hope. The Dupree women, bound by a mysterious legacy that ensures only daughters are born, are rendered with empathy and depth. Williams’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching, drawing readers into the emotional lives of her characters while never shying away from the harsh realities they face.
Echoing the literary resonance of Ayana Mathis’s “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,” this novel stands apart for its intergenerational perspective and its celebration of Black women’s endurance and solidarity. “The Seven Daughters of Dupree” is a moving, beautifully constructed story that lingers long after the final page—a testament to the power of secrets, the strength of family, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters
Thank you, NetGalley, Nikesha Elise Williams, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC copy.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Black womanhood and the complexities of inheritance—of trauma, resilience, and hope. The Dupree women, bound by a mysterious legacy that ensures only daughters are born, are rendered with empathy and depth. Williams’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching, drawing readers into the emotional lives of her characters while never shying away from the harsh realities they face.
Echoing the literary resonance of Ayana Mathis’s “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,” this novel stands apart for its intergenerational perspective and its celebration of Black women’s endurance and solidarity. “The Seven Daughters of Dupree” is a moving, beautifully constructed story that lingers long after the final page—a testament to the power of secrets, the strength of family, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters
Thank you, NetGalley, Nikesha Elise Williams, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC copy.
Read
January 1, 2026Journy of build and pain
panorama of secret
beat of love miss fear
search for blue at my past
who give the power to redive at past
silient secret float ther
tamed mind
broken bodey
many night live it at dark
voyage to shadow of past
many eyes talked the truth
war and adv to grow to another genertion
helpss tears
finshed heart
tired days
drow life was build at castl of past was harsh
its long road to rebirth
panorama of secret
beat of love miss fear
search for blue at my past
who give the power to redive at past
silient secret float ther
tamed mind
broken bodey
many night live it at dark
voyage to shadow of past
many eyes talked the truth
war and adv to grow to another genertion
helpss tears
finshed heart
tired days
drow life was build at castl of past was harsh
its long road to rebirth
December 17, 2025
Truly a masterpiece! The ability to navigate such important topics, while capturing the essence of black culture in America, all the while weaving in age old family dynamics and that remind you of your own family in both good and bad ways at times. Transcendent!
October 22, 2025
Wow, this book really took me on a journey! There were some tough scenes, but they all fit perfectly into the story. The Dupree women were incredibly strong and had to face so much pain. The history of their family was absolutely breathtaking to read and experience. It’s a book about legacy from 1860-2024. It starts with Tati, the only child who feels lost and wants answers about how she became. There are many secrets in the Dupree family.Nadia was my absolute favorite, even though she was a bit naive, but she handled everything with grace. Roman, well, let’s just say I wasn’t a fan. Jubi wasn’t my cup of tea either, but her struggles were understandable.
The writing was so beautiful, and I even enjoyed the music references because they brought back so many memories. If you’re into women-led stories, legacy,and family drama with history, I definitely recommend this book! This book will stay with me for awhile
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The writing was so beautiful, and I even enjoyed the music references because they brought back so many memories. If you’re into women-led stories, legacy,and family drama with history, I definitely recommend this book! This book will stay with me for awhile
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 25, 2025
I’m very conflicted about this book. I enjoyed parts but I didn’t enjoy other parts A LOT. The opening chapter didn’t draw my attention at all partially because I enjoy historical fiction and while the setting was the 90s my brain just doesn't equate that to historical yet so it lost my interest. I did read the first chapter and was going to stop reading the book after thinking oh this one isnt for me, but I said let me keep going.
That being said when it got to all the older years, I did read all of those and skipped the 80s & 90s. I think this only would have not made me finish, but I’m sure there might be a few things that I missed. Im still not sure who Nadia’s father is for example. I just did not enjoy the modern people.
The other stories were very interesting, but I was really annoyed by the secret surrounding Emma‘s mother. I might not have even continued reading had it not been for me waiting to see if it was ever going to be revealed. I would have skipped ahead had known, it would be the last few pages of the book outside the epilogue and then gone back. The story was very brutal so I get it, but the fact that it was so secretive to the reader, with maybe 1 or 2 hints prior was just bothering me as I was reading.
I also admit that I just don’t understand the curse. Why would she curse her own family when they didn’t do anything? I don’t even understand it from a perspective of doing something to “taint Zephaniah‘s bloodline". I just don’t get it and I also don’t get why the curse was broken suddenly but maybe this was explained in the modern chapters I missed. I did look through these peoples names and skim through and still didn’t see anything that would give me any indication. Even with me only reading the parts pre-80s.
This book was full of too much confusion for me, even down to the language and style written. I found myself rereading sentences multiple times. Just trying to figure out what exactly the author was trying to say.
Finally a few sticklers. It made no sense to me how or why Jubi thought she could pass just across the tracks. In all my historical fiction and non fictions readings and tv watching has someone EVER tried to pass and stayed in the same place. The explanation the book even gave made no sense bc just bc they were new white folks in town dosent mean there were no white people before them. They never talked to any old white residents? The other was about Sarah(?) <- written as the author did in the book. That escape was one night or so it seemed. Maybe I misread but there is no way they went 228 miles in one night. Impossible. This one really irked me. Thanks to netgalley for early read
That being said when it got to all the older years, I did read all of those and skipped the 80s & 90s. I think this only would have not made me finish, but I’m sure there might be a few things that I missed. Im still not sure who Nadia’s father is for example. I just did not enjoy the modern people.
The other stories were very interesting, but I was really annoyed by the secret surrounding Emma‘s mother. I might not have even continued reading had it not been for me waiting to see if it was ever going to be revealed. I would have skipped ahead had known, it would be the last few pages of the book outside the epilogue and then gone back. The story was very brutal so I get it, but the fact that it was so secretive to the reader, with maybe 1 or 2 hints prior was just bothering me as I was reading.
I also admit that I just don’t understand the curse. Why would she curse her own family when they didn’t do anything? I don’t even understand it from a perspective of doing something to “taint Zephaniah‘s bloodline". I just don’t get it and I also don’t get why the curse was broken suddenly but maybe this was explained in the modern chapters I missed. I did look through these peoples names and skim through and still didn’t see anything that would give me any indication. Even with me only reading the parts pre-80s.
This book was full of too much confusion for me, even down to the language and style written. I found myself rereading sentences multiple times. Just trying to figure out what exactly the author was trying to say.
Finally a few sticklers. It made no sense to me how or why Jubi thought she could pass just across the tracks. In all my historical fiction and non fictions readings and tv watching has someone EVER tried to pass and stayed in the same place. The explanation the book even gave made no sense bc just bc they were new white folks in town dosent mean there were no white people before them. They never talked to any old white residents? The other was about Sarah(?) <- written as the author did in the book. That escape was one night or so it seemed. Maybe I misread but there is no way they went 228 miles in one night. Impossible. This one really irked me. Thanks to netgalley for early read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
Superb storytelling that explores family via matrilineal lineage, generational trauma, girlhood, community via hair care, love and loss. Nikesha Elise Williams beautifully tells us the tale of the Dupree women from the very start of their existence that began on a slave ship through today. However, the story is non-linear and the way Williams has chosen to draw parallels across these timelines is nothing short of masterful. It's unique and the unraveling is worth the time jumps.
I'm not sure I've ever read a book that explored these themes as cleverly as Williams does in this book. While it is true that civilization recognizes the importance of motherhood, not every civilization values (and respects) mothers in the way they should. One thing I appreciated about this book is just how much so the author centers mothers, especially in relation to both being the foundation of family and the driving force uphold a lineage. The men in this story, and their influence, take a bit of a background role. This is not to say that they aren't significant—I think the men and their role in contributing to the generational trauma the women experience—are pivotal to understanding the story as a whole. But the book isn't about them, despite men traditionally carrying the last names of families. I also was really inspired by the way Williams showcased generational trauma that lends itself more to empathy and understanding rather than pity.
Through our main character, Tati, we get a glimpse into Black girlhood in the mid nineties and early aughts. And Tati's story is one that might resonate with many who were coming of age at the same time. An element of Black girlhood that is expertly weaved across generations in this book? Our hair, our crowns. There is some powerful foreshadowing within the very first sentence of this book surrounding this (but I obviously don't want to spoil it for you). And while this next part is a bit of a spoiler, I must call out how brilliant the author is for making this literary choice: Sarah(?).
This was an absolutely amazing book that you definitely should add to your library.
Nikesha Elise Williams, I don't know what you have planned for the future but I think you are about to be a literary star!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC!
I'm not sure I've ever read a book that explored these themes as cleverly as Williams does in this book. While it is true that civilization recognizes the importance of motherhood, not every civilization values (and respects) mothers in the way they should. One thing I appreciated about this book is just how much so the author centers mothers, especially in relation to both being the foundation of family and the driving force uphold a lineage. The men in this story, and their influence, take a bit of a background role. This is not to say that they aren't significant—I think the men and their role in contributing to the generational trauma the women experience—are pivotal to understanding the story as a whole. But the book isn't about them, despite men traditionally carrying the last names of families. I also was really inspired by the way Williams showcased generational trauma that lends itself more to empathy and understanding rather than pity.
Through our main character, Tati, we get a glimpse into Black girlhood in the mid nineties and early aughts. And Tati's story is one that might resonate with many who were coming of age at the same time. An element of Black girlhood that is expertly weaved across generations in this book? Our hair, our crowns. There is some powerful foreshadowing within the very first sentence of this book surrounding this (but I obviously don't want to spoil it for you). And while this next part is a bit of a spoiler, I must call out how brilliant the author is for making this literary choice: Sarah(?).
This was an absolutely amazing book that you definitely should add to your library.
Nikesha Elise Williams, I don't know what you have planned for the future but I think you are about to be a literary star!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC!
Review of advance copy
Epic. Searing. Emotional. Evocative. Wisdom, wit, heart, and uncommon sense. And you often get all that in one paragraph. “Those were the only words Evangeline and George could make out between her cries. Wet heavy sobs that began in her gut, gurgled up her throat, and fell out of her mouth without any control. The sound mothers make when they lose their young is distinct and distinguishable from any other on Earth. A cry greater than grief, wider than mourning, and deeper than distress. Animalistic is the sound of a mother bereft after losing a cub. Whether the child is five days or fifty years, children aren’t supposed to go before their parents. A trip to the other side was supposed to be a path paved by elders. Not babies who’d barely learned to blink”
That passage is in the wake of Emma losing a male child shortly after birth. You see the Dupree line of women have carried a strange malediction through generations. They cannot give birth to male children. This curse is whispered through the generations, but a full disclosure of all that surrounds this damnation is never given a full throated explanation, effectively leaving Dupree women with more questions than answers.
It takes a young Dupree woman of the late ‘90s, who is in search of the father that she never met, that eventually gets her mother and grandmother to spill all the Dupree secrets and history. In some ways, this is a cautionary tale on the potential destruction of family legacy by withholding of valuable life-giving information. It is also a tale of strong familial bonds and the power of Black womanhood.
A multigenerational story that is extraordinary in it’s gripping narrative and will keep you invested until the end. In a waaaaayyyyy too early prediction, this book will certainly land among the best of 2026. I personally already have it on my short list. This book will grab you and shake you and will stay on your mind long after you have closed the book. Book drops 01.27.26.
That passage is in the wake of Emma losing a male child shortly after birth. You see the Dupree line of women have carried a strange malediction through generations. They cannot give birth to male children. This curse is whispered through the generations, but a full disclosure of all that surrounds this damnation is never given a full throated explanation, effectively leaving Dupree women with more questions than answers.
It takes a young Dupree woman of the late ‘90s, who is in search of the father that she never met, that eventually gets her mother and grandmother to spill all the Dupree secrets and history. In some ways, this is a cautionary tale on the potential destruction of family legacy by withholding of valuable life-giving information. It is also a tale of strong familial bonds and the power of Black womanhood.
A multigenerational story that is extraordinary in it’s gripping narrative and will keep you invested until the end. In a waaaaayyyyy too early prediction, this book will certainly land among the best of 2026. I personally already have it on my short list. This book will grab you and shake you and will stay on your mind long after you have closed the book. Book drops 01.27.26.
December 6, 2025
What an incredible story this was! It’s raw and it’s harrowing in places, but it’s an absolutely brilliant piece of literary/historical fiction.
It’s a family saga incorporating seven generations of Dupree women; beginning in 1860 and spanning over 100 years until the present day. It’s a story of seven strong women who fought for their rights in the face of adversity, and under a curse they thought threatened their existence.
The narrative begins in 1995 as we meet Tati, the youngest of the women, together with her mother, Nadia, and her grandmother, Gladys. It’s a hot-headed household, as Tati searches for answers about her father which her mother cannot bear to give her.
Each chapter is a trip back and forth in time as we meet Emma in 1870, Jubilee in 1917 and Ruby in 1934 - piecing together this family’s history and the anguish they have faced, at the hands of men and white folk, along the way.
The story is set in Alabama, in the fictional town of Lands End, where Emma was born enslaved, the daughter of the plantation owner. It is her search for her mother’s story which leads to the story of the curse over the family, only allowing them to bear daughters.
The story is also set in Chicago where we find the most recent women living, and where Tati writes some very poignant, beautiful poetry - of which a few pieces are included in the book. On reading Tati’s final dedication at the end of the book, my tears poured and my heart broke for the seventh, and very first, ‘daughter’ of Dupree who was the bravest of them all.
It’s a family saga incorporating seven generations of Dupree women; beginning in 1860 and spanning over 100 years until the present day. It’s a story of seven strong women who fought for their rights in the face of adversity, and under a curse they thought threatened their existence.
The narrative begins in 1995 as we meet Tati, the youngest of the women, together with her mother, Nadia, and her grandmother, Gladys. It’s a hot-headed household, as Tati searches for answers about her father which her mother cannot bear to give her.
Each chapter is a trip back and forth in time as we meet Emma in 1870, Jubilee in 1917 and Ruby in 1934 - piecing together this family’s history and the anguish they have faced, at the hands of men and white folk, along the way.
The story is set in Alabama, in the fictional town of Lands End, where Emma was born enslaved, the daughter of the plantation owner. It is her search for her mother’s story which leads to the story of the curse over the family, only allowing them to bear daughters.
The story is also set in Chicago where we find the most recent women living, and where Tati writes some very poignant, beautiful poetry - of which a few pieces are included in the book. On reading Tati’s final dedication at the end of the book, my tears poured and my heart broke for the seventh, and very first, ‘daughter’ of Dupree who was the bravest of them all.
July 7, 2025
“The Seven Daughters of Dupree” by Nikesha Elise Williams is a sweeping generational novel, impressive in both its depth and scope. The story and themes of the book are driven by well-developed female characters, whose lives span a period from the late eighteen hundreds through the present. It is a story of intergenerational trauma, of pain and separation, and of the deep connectivity and love that bring women together. There is pain and betrayal, confusion and heartbreak. There are harsh realities and events that cannot be overcome. There is also deep love and acts of kindness and grace. There is honesty, presence, and healing. The stories and lives of these women demonstrate the tenacity of the human spirit and the powerful bonds between mothers and daughters. A beautiful book, “The Seven Daughters of Dupree” weaves together the lives of the Dupree women using language and metaphor that resonates with who they are. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys complex and honest novels told with depth and honesty.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a multigenerational historical fiction book about the women in the Dupree family. Traced all the way back to the ship their enslaved ancestors arrived on and a family curse that has plagued the women throughout their line.
When I first started this book, I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep all the characters straight. As the stories unfold and you learn more about each woman, I realized they are mother's and grandmother's all in a line and each story built upon the others. The narrator did a great job, I enjoyed listening on audio.
This book is perfect for fans of family drama and multigenerational stories.
The ending was a little heavier than I anticipated and while I understand the importance of it being included, the tone didn't seem to match the rest of the book. Maybe this was on purpose to show the suffering and trauma that began the family line and how it carried on through each generation, or maybe it was just how the story began. It would be a great bookclub read to discuss more in detail.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Audio and Librofm for an ALC to enjoy.
When I first started this book, I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep all the characters straight. As the stories unfold and you learn more about each woman, I realized they are mother's and grandmother's all in a line and each story built upon the others. The narrator did a great job, I enjoyed listening on audio.
This book is perfect for fans of family drama and multigenerational stories.
The ending was a little heavier than I anticipated and while I understand the importance of it being included, the tone didn't seem to match the rest of the book. Maybe this was on purpose to show the suffering and trauma that began the family line and how it carried on through each generation, or maybe it was just how the story began. It would be a great bookclub read to discuss more in detail.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Audio and Librofm for an ALC to enjoy.
Read
December 9, 2025Wow. This is a generational novel done RIGHT 👏. I was so enthralled in all the characters stories. The timeline and plot was captivating. Each generation shown through actions that poised different yet similar ways of thinking. I ending is exactly what I hoped for in this story. I can definitely see this as a TV show.
This is a love letter to all daughters that reign from family built on the backs of the women. It’s a beautiful tribute to heritage, legacy and reminder that not all family secrets are intentional (it could just be inherited). It’s an eye-opener for daughters who just never understand what their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers seem too judgmental or cautious.
I read this story in a weekend. However, I recommend others to take breaks through the story and reflect as you go, especially with the timeline jumps. This is a perfect read for family discussions.
Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
This is a love letter to all daughters that reign from family built on the backs of the women. It’s a beautiful tribute to heritage, legacy and reminder that not all family secrets are intentional (it could just be inherited). It’s an eye-opener for daughters who just never understand what their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers seem too judgmental or cautious.
I read this story in a weekend. However, I recommend others to take breaks through the story and reflect as you go, especially with the timeline jumps. This is a perfect read for family discussions.
Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy
The Seven Daughters of Dupree
By Nikesha Elise Williams
Release Date: 1.27.26
Thank you @gallerybooks for an e-ARC and @swampfoxbookstore for a physical ARC of the Seven Daughters of Dupree!
This work of Historical/Literary Fiction follows seven generations of black women as they navigate family, love, loss and an unshakable curse.
The generations span from the enslaved ancestors in the 1800s to present day 2024. Williams gave space for each to have their moment conveying their personality, struggles, their learned knowledge from those that came before, and the impact they made on those that came after. While some afflictions have resolved, too many are still present today.
With many characters and nonlinear POVs, I found myself a bit lost at times. A family tree of sorts might enhance the reading experience.
Trigger warnings: slavery, rape, sexual violence, domestic abuse, miscarriage, and, abandonment.
For fans of multigenerational, emotional themes, resilient black females, and family dramas.
By Nikesha Elise Williams
Release Date: 1.27.26
Thank you @gallerybooks for an e-ARC and @swampfoxbookstore for a physical ARC of the Seven Daughters of Dupree!
This work of Historical/Literary Fiction follows seven generations of black women as they navigate family, love, loss and an unshakable curse.
The generations span from the enslaved ancestors in the 1800s to present day 2024. Williams gave space for each to have their moment conveying their personality, struggles, their learned knowledge from those that came before, and the impact they made on those that came after. While some afflictions have resolved, too many are still present today.
With many characters and nonlinear POVs, I found myself a bit lost at times. A family tree of sorts might enhance the reading experience.
Trigger warnings: slavery, rape, sexual violence, domestic abuse, miscarriage, and, abandonment.
For fans of multigenerational, emotional themes, resilient black females, and family dramas.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Moving Story of Secrets, Legacy, and Resilience
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a powerful, emotionally layered novel that traces seven generations of Black women bound by love, silence, and survival. Set between 1917 and 1995, the story centers on fourteen-year-old Tati, whose search for her father uncovers long-buried family secrets guarded by her mother and grandmother.
Through the lives of Jubi, Ruby, Nadia, and others, Nikesha Elise Williams explores generational trauma, desire, and consequence, all under the shadow of a mysterious legacy in which the Dupree women only give birth to daughters. With lyrical prose and emotional depth, the novel honors Black women’s resilience without softening their pain. This feminist literary fiction is a haunting, unforgettable portrait of heritage, truth, and the strength it takes to break cycles.
Thank you to NetGalley and THE publisher for the e-ARC
A Moving Story of Secrets, Legacy, and Resilience
The Seven Daughters of Dupree is a powerful, emotionally layered novel that traces seven generations of Black women bound by love, silence, and survival. Set between 1917 and 1995, the story centers on fourteen-year-old Tati, whose search for her father uncovers long-buried family secrets guarded by her mother and grandmother.
Through the lives of Jubi, Ruby, Nadia, and others, Nikesha Elise Williams explores generational trauma, desire, and consequence, all under the shadow of a mysterious legacy in which the Dupree women only give birth to daughters. With lyrical prose and emotional depth, the novel honors Black women’s resilience without softening their pain. This feminist literary fiction is a haunting, unforgettable portrait of heritage, truth, and the strength it takes to break cycles.
Thank you to NetGalley and THE publisher for the e-ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just finished The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams, and it's the kind of book that will stick with you after reading. When I first heard about this book, I knew I had to read it, and it did not disappoint.
The novel spans generations—from 1917 to 1995—tracing a family through secrets, coming-of-age moments, and questions about what we inherit and what we're meant to carry forward. At its core, it's a story about Black women: their resilience, their strength, the ways they survive what shouldn't have to be survived. Each woman's voice feels distinct, but they're bound together by legacy—by what came before them and what they can't seem to shake.
Williams handles generational trauma with real precision. The way family secrets reverberate across decades, quietly reshaping lives long after they were buried, is both haunting and achingly real.
Note: I read an early arc of this book courtesy NetGalley + Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press
The novel spans generations—from 1917 to 1995—tracing a family through secrets, coming-of-age moments, and questions about what we inherit and what we're meant to carry forward. At its core, it's a story about Black women: their resilience, their strength, the ways they survive what shouldn't have to be survived. Each woman's voice feels distinct, but they're bound together by legacy—by what came before them and what they can't seem to shake.
Williams handles generational trauma with real precision. The way family secrets reverberate across decades, quietly reshaping lives long after they were buried, is both haunting and achingly real.
Note: I read an early arc of this book courtesy NetGalley + Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press
September 10, 2025
Legend says that only girls will be born into the Dupree family. What it is less clear about is the legacy of secrets, intergenerational trauma, and passionate love stories that lay lost in the sands of time.
Teenage Tati is discovering just how hard it is to shed light on her own and her family's origin story, when her mother and grandmother are less than forthcoming in their responses to her questions. But perhaps that is because they believe that somethings are better left unexplored...
A deftly woven saga that interrogates the lives of multiple generations of black women in one family, this book is absorbing as well as informative, providing a glimpse of lives less often examined. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Teenage Tati is discovering just how hard it is to shed light on her own and her family's origin story, when her mother and grandmother are less than forthcoming in their responses to her questions. But perhaps that is because they believe that somethings are better left unexplored...
A deftly woven saga that interrogates the lives of multiple generations of black women in one family, this book is absorbing as well as informative, providing a glimpse of lives less often examined. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It is refreshing to read historical fiction that doesn't feel preachy or angry. It inspires the quest for knowledge and fuels the (hopefully) already burning embers that speak of cruelty and hardship.
Sa'rah, Emma, Jubilee, Ruby, Gladys, Nadia and Tatiana tell a story of women scorned, passing, rejected, cursed, but - ultimately - triumphant in their oneness. Narrated over generations, we come to love and know these women, to celebrate with them and mourn with them and hurt with them.
One of the most surprising and interesting things I learnt from this book was the importance of hair. How it can tell a story and bring women together. How it can mean freedom and independence. I loved this thread throughout the narrative.
A really, really great read.
Sa'rah, Emma, Jubilee, Ruby, Gladys, Nadia and Tatiana tell a story of women scorned, passing, rejected, cursed, but - ultimately - triumphant in their oneness. Narrated over generations, we come to love and know these women, to celebrate with them and mourn with them and hurt with them.
One of the most surprising and interesting things I learnt from this book was the importance of hair. How it can tell a story and bring women together. How it can mean freedom and independence. I loved this thread throughout the narrative.
A really, really great read.
August 22, 2025
It's 1995 and fourteen-year-old Tati is determined to uncover the identity of her father. But her mother, Nadia, keeps her secrets close, while her grandmother Gladys remains silent about the family’s past, including why she left Land’s End, Alabama, in 1953. As Tati digs deeper, she uncovers a legacy of family secrets, where every generation of Dupree women has posed more questions than answers.
This novel follows seven generations of Black women dating back to the 1800s. There is generational trauma, secrets, love woven into the story. I enjoyed the timelines and getting to know all the characters.
This novel follows seven generations of Black women dating back to the 1800s. There is generational trauma, secrets, love woven into the story. I enjoyed the timelines and getting to know all the characters.
August 27, 2025
The book begins with the introduction of 14 year old Tati, who is desperate to know who her father is, information that neither her mother nor grandmother will share. Tati is the sixth generation of women who are descendants of plantation owner Zephaniah Foster Dupree and one of his female slaves. As the story moves backward and forward through time, Williams weaves a compelling portrait of the complex, occasionally happy, mostly challenging, sometimes horrifying lives of these strong, determined mothers and daughters as their secrets are gradually revealed and we understand how their circumstances drive their decisions, relationships and who they become.
November 21, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book. Williams creates such rich, layered characters that I found myself completely drawn into each generation’s joys and wounds. The writing is lush without being heavy, the pacing stays steady even as the story spans decades, and the emotional beats hit hard.
What I loved most was how each woman’s life felt like both its own story and a thread in something bigger. It’s one of those family sagas where you feel the weight of history pressing forward while still rooting for every daughter along the way. This is a powerful, beautifully crafted novel, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early.
What I loved most was how each woman’s life felt like both its own story and a thread in something bigger. It’s one of those family sagas where you feel the weight of history pressing forward while still rooting for every daughter along the way. This is a powerful, beautifully crafted novel, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley & the Publisher for a chance to read this stunning ARC!
This was an incredibly rich portrait of matriarchy, history, and generational trauma. I will admit, some of the vague prose in the beginning left me feeling a bit lost as to what was going on, and the jumping around between times like 1995, 1870, etc didn't help that confusion. Somewhere around the 30% mark though, I feel like the book really hits its stride and I was rapt by the stories of the Dupree women. I wish we got to see more of Sarah's story, rather than just in the final(ish) chapter of the book, I really felt like she deserved some more time. But, I enjoyed this one!
This was an incredibly rich portrait of matriarchy, history, and generational trauma. I will admit, some of the vague prose in the beginning left me feeling a bit lost as to what was going on, and the jumping around between times like 1995, 1870, etc didn't help that confusion. Somewhere around the 30% mark though, I feel like the book really hits its stride and I was rapt by the stories of the Dupree women. I wish we got to see more of Sarah's story, rather than just in the final(ish) chapter of the book, I really felt like she deserved some more time. But, I enjoyed this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is 3am and I stayed up to finish this book that I started earlier this evening. I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely love generational sagas that tell the stories of Black women and this one was no exception. It is a beautifully written story that tells of the multiple generations of women in the Dupree family. This is a placeholder while I gather my thoughts and dive into this story. This is a five star read and one of the best books I’ve read this year. I want to make sure my review adequately gives this story the justice it deserves so I’ll return when I’m more coherent lol. The book was phenomenal.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the gifted early copy.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the gifted early copy.
December 31, 2025
The first third of this book was SO hard to follow. It took five attempts to make a family tree of the characters. The first section(109 pp!) was titled “Questions”; not till the second section “Answers” did the reading become easier. This was a story of seven generations of Black Dupree women. Every one of these women suffered: from capture in her village in Africa to 7 generations later longing to know her father’s name. Regardless of how each girl/ woman struggled /suffered, she made a life for herself and her daughter.
July 16, 2025
This is a very good novel showcasing seven generations of African and African American women dating back to the 1800s. I felt their harrowing tragedies, heartache, injustice, love and faith. The phonetic writing added to the immersion and authenticity of the novel. Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.
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