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Brown Girl
Shelly Nacre is the brown face in a sea of white, washed up on the rocky shores of Long Island. Life changes suddenly when tragedy befalls her family, leaving Shelly to make sense of what has happened in the only way she knows how. Her father, an armchair activist, feeds her plenty by way of philosophical ruminations, but these words do not anchor her. Shelly must breeze carefree into her daydreams and drift into the realms of the past to visit her ancestors.
And somewhere between these worlds there is Dolly, who never fails in giving her comfort and advice.
But when Shelly tries to befriend two of her teenage classmates in a neighbourhood where prejudice is deeply rooted, she brings about havoc on a mystical level, making waves much too big for Long Island in the 1980s.
And somewhere between these worlds there is Dolly, who never fails in giving her comfort and advice.
But when Shelly tries to befriend two of her teenage classmates in a neighbourhood where prejudice is deeply rooted, she brings about havoc on a mystical level, making waves much too big for Long Island in the 1980s.
222 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 27, 2022
This book is amazing! I was lucky enough to receive a copy from the author and I would 100% recommend, it’s such a good read.
January 6, 2023
Nostalgic, poetic - I could picture Shelly’s life clearly. Nothing is left out of her inner thoughts. And dreams too. She’s deeply intense and I couldn’t put the book down! Surreal ending…
February 17, 2023
This novel gives Insight into all experiences big and small that chip away at a person’s sense of worth.
I can really relate with the main character of the story, Shelly - being a brown kid in a white neighbourhood is not easy, not at the time the novel is set in early 1980’s, not so far off the changes coming out of the civil rights movement where prejudice was as yet deeply rooted.
Shelly is isolated at school and gets sent to the Headmaster’s office frequently - not for her wrongs but to keep her out of the way and in many cases to keep her out of harms way, away from the relentless preteens who bully her because she is black. It seems so unfair yet entirely believable.
I was so surprised that the Headmaster of her school constantly turned a blind eye to the physical and emotional abuse being doled out on a daily basis by Shelly’s would-be peers and class teacher. The only way she can shut out all the sneers and insults is to retreat into her inner world of stories, books and fantasies about being in her ancestral homeland (which are fantastically written).
I kept wondering will she be successful in befriending any of her classmates? And hoping the kids in her school would go against the grain to be her friend.
I liked Shelly’s character so much and I also loved the character of Dolly in the story - they both handle life with intrigue and humour. And I couldn’t help but fall in love with Hetty just as much as Shelly does.
Although Shelly sees herself as not brave, I found her incredibly courageous to carry on day in and day out, as if she is holding out for the other people in the novel to change. I found myself thinking that maybe she brings about their change with her patience and tenacity.
This is an intriguing story that I couldn't put down until I finished it. The title of the story couldn't have been better than this as this is truly the story of a brown girl.
I can really relate with the main character of the story, Shelly - being a brown kid in a white neighbourhood is not easy, not at the time the novel is set in early 1980’s, not so far off the changes coming out of the civil rights movement where prejudice was as yet deeply rooted.
Shelly is isolated at school and gets sent to the Headmaster’s office frequently - not for her wrongs but to keep her out of the way and in many cases to keep her out of harms way, away from the relentless preteens who bully her because she is black. It seems so unfair yet entirely believable.
I was so surprised that the Headmaster of her school constantly turned a blind eye to the physical and emotional abuse being doled out on a daily basis by Shelly’s would-be peers and class teacher. The only way she can shut out all the sneers and insults is to retreat into her inner world of stories, books and fantasies about being in her ancestral homeland (which are fantastically written).
I kept wondering will she be successful in befriending any of her classmates? And hoping the kids in her school would go against the grain to be her friend.
I liked Shelly’s character so much and I also loved the character of Dolly in the story - they both handle life with intrigue and humour. And I couldn’t help but fall in love with Hetty just as much as Shelly does.
Although Shelly sees herself as not brave, I found her incredibly courageous to carry on day in and day out, as if she is holding out for the other people in the novel to change. I found myself thinking that maybe she brings about their change with her patience and tenacity.
This is an intriguing story that I couldn't put down until I finished it. The title of the story couldn't have been better than this as this is truly the story of a brown girl.
February 17, 2023
I love reading contemporary fiction stories. This time, I read the debut book of the author Leilani Taneus-Miller. Brown Girl is a captivating story that hooked my attention from the first page itself.
In this book, the main character Shelly lives on Long Island and is surrounded by prejudice. Shelly doesn't understand why people say “Just ignore them and they’ll leave you alone.” She doesn't feel it to be true as she attracts so many stares and mistreatments being a brown girl among the white.
I really loved reading all the passages with her father. They are so close and he is so accepting of her just as she is. He seems to always be at her side whenever it counts but that doesn’t mean he can protect her when she is at school or amongst her peers - and he does seem oblivious to the treatment she gets. But maybe he thinks that she is strong enough to handle it because he believes so much in her natural capabilities to be good and strong and true.
Clearly the family has a special closeness and they ensure Shelly’s momma presence through the many rituals they keep. I love all the mystical depictions of Shelly’s momma, Rochelle and how she seems larger than life. I love the musical language and poetic prose throughout the book and how Shelly can somehow play the music her momma played.
By reading this book, I realized that people of different colours should make each other feel comfortable and racism shouldn't exist at all - not unless we want people to be unwell and down on themselves. Why in the world would we want that?
Even though it is a fictional story, it is possible that it may be a reality of many and Shelly’s character is relatable by many - anyone who has experienced bullying, race-provoked or not. This is a great read. Don't miss out - get your hands on this book and your heart will follow!!
In this book, the main character Shelly lives on Long Island and is surrounded by prejudice. Shelly doesn't understand why people say “Just ignore them and they’ll leave you alone.” She doesn't feel it to be true as she attracts so many stares and mistreatments being a brown girl among the white.
I really loved reading all the passages with her father. They are so close and he is so accepting of her just as she is. He seems to always be at her side whenever it counts but that doesn’t mean he can protect her when she is at school or amongst her peers - and he does seem oblivious to the treatment she gets. But maybe he thinks that she is strong enough to handle it because he believes so much in her natural capabilities to be good and strong and true.
Clearly the family has a special closeness and they ensure Shelly’s momma presence through the many rituals they keep. I love all the mystical depictions of Shelly’s momma, Rochelle and how she seems larger than life. I love the musical language and poetic prose throughout the book and how Shelly can somehow play the music her momma played.
By reading this book, I realized that people of different colours should make each other feel comfortable and racism shouldn't exist at all - not unless we want people to be unwell and down on themselves. Why in the world would we want that?
Even though it is a fictional story, it is possible that it may be a reality of many and Shelly’s character is relatable by many - anyone who has experienced bullying, race-provoked or not. This is a great read. Don't miss out - get your hands on this book and your heart will follow!!
March 18, 2023
This is a debut book by the author. This might create a façade of being a general book by its easy English, but we are often too quick to judge. Because that façade breaks down once you read the book.
Bullying is never fun, it's a cruel and terrible thing to do to someone. If you are being bullied, it is not your fault. No one deserves to be bullied, ever. Shelly Nacre is the brown face in a sea of white, washed up on the rocky shores of Long Island. Shelly tries to befriend two of her teenage classmates in a neighbourhood where prejudice is deeply rooted, she brings about havoc on a mystical level, making waves much too big for Long Island in the 1980s.
Once I started reading I could not stop. A child's perspective is innocent, curious and forgiving. All these aspects are so beautifully described. In very simple writing the stories express deeper meanings to life and relationships. The writer is very sincere in her expressions and very prolific and talented. It’s not written for just the brown people among whites, it’s not just about women among men- It’s about all and that’s why it stands out. This book has instantly shot to the top of my favourite books of all time - it's very immersive and extremely enjoyable. I couldn't put it down!
Bullying is never fun, it's a cruel and terrible thing to do to someone. If you are being bullied, it is not your fault. No one deserves to be bullied, ever. Shelly Nacre is the brown face in a sea of white, washed up on the rocky shores of Long Island. Shelly tries to befriend two of her teenage classmates in a neighbourhood where prejudice is deeply rooted, she brings about havoc on a mystical level, making waves much too big for Long Island in the 1980s.
Once I started reading I could not stop. A child's perspective is innocent, curious and forgiving. All these aspects are so beautifully described. In very simple writing the stories express deeper meanings to life and relationships. The writer is very sincere in her expressions and very prolific and talented. It’s not written for just the brown people among whites, it’s not just about women among men- It’s about all and that’s why it stands out. This book has instantly shot to the top of my favourite books of all time - it's very immersive and extremely enjoyable. I couldn't put it down!
February 17, 2023
Brown Girl written by the author Leilani Taneus-Miller is a contemporary fiction. The protagonist of the story is a teenage girl named Shelly Nacre. At school, Shelly feels alone. Her classmates are attracted to her in all the wrong ways - they act out the shameful things they read in their History and English lessons - making Shelly pretend she is a slave for their benefit in their playground games or copying the slur words for Blacks in the classic novels they read in class. The author depicts these scenes with a rawness that at first surprised me, but I’m glad I had chance to bear witness to them.
I didn’t really know much about this area of the world and I would not have thought anything more of it than a suburban enclave of New York. Yet even in novels like The Great Gatsby, there are suggestions of prejudice towards blacks, so it demonstrates how little has changed since those years in terms of race relations.
By reading this book, one could get to know what goes on in the mind of a child who is a victim of racism. The book is written in a lucid language. One would be able to relate easily to it. Go for it without any second thoughts.
I didn’t really know much about this area of the world and I would not have thought anything more of it than a suburban enclave of New York. Yet even in novels like The Great Gatsby, there are suggestions of prejudice towards blacks, so it demonstrates how little has changed since those years in terms of race relations.
By reading this book, one could get to know what goes on in the mind of a child who is a victim of racism. The book is written in a lucid language. One would be able to relate easily to it. Go for it without any second thoughts.
January 26, 2023
A brilliant unnerving account, seen through the eyes of an unusual teen whose sense of identity is marred by rejection due to her blackness. Although, anyone who has experienced bullying can relate.
Lyrical prose, at times hallucinatory, takes you through the bewildering relationship with her father, fixation with her mother and dependency on her plastic doll. Not to mention her frequent mystical flashbacks to her ancestors.
In the many disturbing scenes, you feel sorry for her and contempt for her aggressors, and others times you can’t but laugh or cry at the vivid depictions of her life.
Lyrical prose, at times hallucinatory, takes you through the bewildering relationship with her father, fixation with her mother and dependency on her plastic doll. Not to mention her frequent mystical flashbacks to her ancestors.
In the many disturbing scenes, you feel sorry for her and contempt for her aggressors, and others times you can’t but laugh or cry at the vivid depictions of her life.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews