The Seven Daughters of Dupree

by Nikesha Elise Williams

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Family, Fiction, African American

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 27, 2026

About the author

Nikesha 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.

Reviews

[Ladiami · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ja’Laya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Genevieve Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Destiny Chappel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Randall Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Eloise H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Danielle Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn’t sure where the book was going, I had to reread the beginning a few because I was so confused. When the pieces started falling together, not only did I enjoy the book but I learned so much about historical black culture, specifically different terminology. Tati irked me a bit with her obsession with her dad but I guess I just wouldn’t understand. Overall good book, creative set up and I like that there was resolution in the end.

[Susan]

lovely. thanks

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seven Daughters of Dupree was a journey through generations of African American women bound by secrets, resilience, and legacy.
At first, I was confused with the varying POV’s and timelines. I reread the beginning and got on track quickly.
As a historical fiction lover, I enjoyed the story line taking us from the 1800’s slavery to present day. I found myself wrapped in the story rooting for these women who bore hardship at the hands of others. Choices made and lives lived are deeply moving.
I am happy that there was resolution at the end.

Triggers: rape, miscarriage, severe brutality on slaves

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Seven Daughter’s of Dupree is a story set in Alabama and Chicago that takes us from the preCivil War era to 1995. This multigenerational saga follows the story of 7 generations of women through multiple POVs and timelines.
Misogyny and racism are the constant themes that reoccur from generation to generation. As a result the women stand together and have gained strength from adversity. Each generation holds its own secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the novel.
Although a strong novel the nonlinear timeline made it difficult to follow at times. I found the story primarily centered around Tati, in 1995, and her mother Nadia, as Tati searched for her father. The story reached back to Nadia’s mother Gladys, who left Alabama for Chicago in the Great Migration, and Glady’s mother Ruby, whose father disowned her. The story gets murkier as it goes forward and back with more women and stories. I believe William’s would have had a better story if she had paired it down and fully explored just a few of these amazing women.
Their familial love is strong and is passed from generation to generation. Seven Daughters tackles generational trauma but I wish it validated the individuals more. I found the first half of the book confusing due to the multiple POVs. That being said I admired the families strong bond.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.