Asali Solomon Knihy

One of the most acclaimed and influential writers of the Harlem Renaissance, Nella Larsen published her powerful first novel in 1928. Quicksand features intriguing autobiographical parallels with Larsen's own life, in addition to reflecting many aspects of African-American culture in the 1920s.Helga's mother is white, and her father is black — and absent. Ostracized throughout her lonely childhood for her dark skin, Helga spends her adult life seeking acceptance. Everywhere she goes — the American South, Harlem, even Denmark — she feels oppressed. Socially, economically, and psychologically, Helga struggles against the "quicksand" of classism, racism, and sexism.Alice Walker praised Quicksand and Passing (Larsen's second novel) as "novels I will never forget. They open up a whole world of experience and struggle that seemed to me, when I first read them years ago, absolutely absorbing, fascinating, and indispensable."

Inspired by 'Mrs. Dalloway' and 'Sula', this tender novel follows two women at midlife as they rediscover themselves and perhaps each other. Liselle Belmont is hosting a dinner party to thank her husband Winn's supporters after his failed bid for state legislature. Uncertain about Winn's political ambitions and the life that came with them, she now grapples with questions about their relationship and her own identity. Just before the party, an FBI agent informs her of potential corruption involving Winn, adding to her anxiety about the evening ahead. Meanwhile, across town, Selena navigates her day with a sense of quiet determination, trying to ignore the harsh realities surrounding her—homelessness, hunger, and the painful history of America. Her happiest moments were spent with Liselle in college, but years of separation have left them distant. A chance encounter at a drugstore after Obama's election barely rekindles their connection, yet as the day unfolds, Selena's memories of Liselle begin to alter her course. This expertly layered and humorous narrative offers a profound exploration of midlife, celebrating the choices that shape us, the people who influence our journeys, and the possibility of reimagining ourselves even when life feels predetermined.