Redwood Court by DéLana R. A. Dameron
In DéLana R. A. Dameron's novel, Redwood Court, Mika Tabor's tale begins with a family tree assignment — something particularly difficult to both explore and encapsulate in the same way or to the same degree as her white classmates. So the unfurling of Mika's beautifully rich tapestry of matriarchal generations begins with the idea of filling out the tree with stories, rather than simply names, branching the idea of the tree outwards instead of focusing on the typical upwards angle.
Although the overall style moved the entry point a little later, once I found the rhythms of her writing, I settled in comfortably for the remainder of the journey. The account through Mika's youth reads like an engrossing collection of short stories, or family stories...the kind you share and recount endlessly at reunions, weddings, and funerals. And with each new addition, I was reminded of Don Draper’s carousel — a deeply moving nostalgia slideshow.
On a personal point, I absolutely adored the complete exploration of the Columbia I both knew and didn't...the first mention of Two Notch Road sent me squealing. I still have family in that area, and I cannot tell you how many times that was the exit off the interstate that meant I was near my destination. This was one of the best representations of that area and life there during the 90s, that I have read.
The title comes from the all-Black working-class suburb where Mika's grandparents settled in the 1960s and established a strong connective extended family whose ties held each other together and built each other up. Though not totally absent from any story about a Black family (particularly in the South and covering the 50s through the early 00s), instead of focusing on Black pain and Black trauma, Redwood Court presents a beautifully perfect account of youth surrounded by love and full of joy. Having found this superb new Southern voice, I will absolutely read what Dameron writes next.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
