Play Book Tag discussion

The Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson - 4* - My Review

This family saga covers multiple generations of women (1960s-1990s) living in the rural black community of Opulence, Kentucky. The storyline follows births, deaths, relationships, scandals, mental health issues, and daily living of the characters. We trace the lineage of matriarch Minnie Mae, her daughter Tookie, granddaughter Lucy, and great granddaughter Yolanda. Yolanda becomes friends with Mona, daughter of Francine, who retreats from society after her husband dies. Though focused on the women, the men are important to the story, especially Joe Brown, the local mechanic married to Lucy, a good-hearted man who wants to help but is ill equipped to handle his wife’s mental instability. I particularly enjoyed the vignette about how the town was founded. The writing is poetic, and the characters seem like real people. They are drawn with sensitivity and depth. I need to read more from this author.