Danielle Blanchard-St. Louime

I’m a bit confused after reading this book. As an editor, I was perplexed by the multiple tense shifts. The story is mostly told in the past tense, but in places it switches to the present. Ex: “he looked like my mom’s old partner, Roy…” then two paragraphs later: “he’s been introduced to me many times. I always want to take him by the shoulders and shout…” It may seem nitpicky to some, but this bothered me tremendously and disrupted my reading throughout the novel. Also, Queenie’s repeatedly risky sexual behavior with these white men being so easily explained away as “daddy/mommy issues” was frustrating. Actually many of her relationships were frustrating - like Cassandra? She was let back into the fold WAY too easily for me. I have more to type but I’m exhausted. I had to use a bit of energy to even finish the book. I’m glad it’s over.