“All In the Family”

In Daughter Denied, Alretha Thomas’ first novel, readers are drawn into the world of the Rivers family.  The story, told through the eyes of a young African-American girl, Tina Ann Rivers, is an emotional story of a family living in poverty.  The plot has several scenarios that offer causes, effects and solutions to a seemingly, never-ending dilemma for the Rivers family. 

Tina and her siblings, Janice, Debra, Larry and Florence, long for what seems like an unattainable stable family environment.  Tina is a very smart, yet insecure, young girl that learns to make a way against all odds.  In spite of her stepfather, Brother Floyd’s, physical abuse and her mother, Ernestine’s drug addiction and emotional instability, Tina finds solace in her relationships with extended family and friends.  Tina’s faith during trying times keeps her going.  Somewhat naïve in her early childhood, Tina grows into a confident woman, ready to move on with her life despite the cards she has been dealt.

Alretha Thomas delivers a gripping tale with Daughter Denied.  Although we see and hear about similar families daily, this novel was unpredictable.  It deals with religious differences within a household, blended families, child abuse, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, friendships, long distance relationships, imprisonment and more. In the end, I was truly happy to see that Tina and her siblings were going to be okay.  I recommend this book to anyone facing familial challenges.

Reviewed by Tavares S. Carney

For APOOO BookClub

Related Posts

• Song Yet Sung by James McBride
• Naughty Little Angel by J. Tremble
• Eleven Months of Hell by China Ball
• By the Grace of God by Keshia Dawn
• What’s Done in the Dark by Avah LaReaux