Tayari Jones: "Silver Sparrow"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-07-06/tayari-jones-silver-sparrow
Courtesy Algonquin Books
History and popular culture are full of stories about secret children. Recent revelations from Arnold Schwartzenegger and John Edwards are among the latest examples. But rarely is the story told from the child’s point of view. A new novel by Tayari Jones focuses on two girls who share the same father. One is pretty but struggles with the stigma of knowing she is a secret. The other is plain but has a happy childhood, until she discovers her father’s deception. We consider the concept of a child’s legitimacy and the psychological effects of secrets
Guests
Tayari Jones
serves on the MFA faculty at Rutgers University and is the author of two previous novels, "Leaving Atlanta” and “The Untelling.”
Comments
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Congratulations to my Spelman sister on the publication of this book. When I was in junior high school, I was friends with a girl who had a half sister (they had different mothers) who was approximately the same age as my friend. In a strange twist of fate, they actually had the same name. The father had been married to my friend's mother, but not to the mother of the other girl. My friend knew about the existence of the other girl, but did not know her personally. I knew the other girl casually, and pointed her out to my friend. As a child, I did not have the capacity to determine how much hurt my friend must have suffered when I pointed out her sister. The existence of these children were an open secret within our community, but not one that was discussed, particularly with children. Of course, I have no knowledge of what the mothers of these girls felt about the children or about each other.
I really look forward to reading your book.
I remember this secret being exposed by death in my Philadelphia neighborhood twice (two different families-- or should I say four different families). In one case, a prominent local official was the man involved. About complicity and collaborative help-- in both cases, the neighbors knew, but kept the secret. this secret exposed by death Wonder discussion and it sounds like a wonderful book. I am purchasing it today, and putting it at the top of the summer reading list. Congratulations
Remember Charles Kuralt? Second family revealed upon his death in a big way.
My father is a Silver Sparrow and he is also a schizophrenic so I have never heard his version of his childhood growing up. I always thought that my grandfather treated us differently because of my father's illness but it was because he was married when he fathered my father. His wife and my grandmother were pregnant at the same time. I never knew that story until I had a son of my own at age 17, and I never understood why my grandfather's wife couldn't accept us until my husband had an affair. The pain that it causes forever. One night, one mistake, one lapse in judgment. Not only did my grandfather's wife have to deal with my father, but then she had to deal with my father's children, and now my father's grandchildren.
My family also had secrets - both my parents were dead when my sister contacted me at the age of 60. she was 55 - I had thought I was an only child and had a very miserable, lonely childhood. It was so great to find out that I had 2 sisters and 1 brother - my brother has yet to meet me - for some reason he refuses to do this. I would really like to continue finding out about these situations. If you have other resourses please let me know - thanks. Penny
I guess Silver Sparrow sounds better than black bastard.