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Libertie


This superb historical novel explores what freedom means for a young Black woman...
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Overall, what do you think...?

Created: 04/07/22

Replies: 35

Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Overall, what do you think of Libertie? (no spoilers in this topic)

Overall, what do you think of Libertie? (no spoilers in this topic)


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurief

Join Date: 09/08/12

Posts: 75

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

Though the premise of the story seemed interesting. I was not enthralled with this book. It started off with the relationship between Lbertie and her mother, but the author lost me soon after that.


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

This was not my favorite book. Libertie did not know what she actually wanted and used her mother as an excuse to mess up her life. Instead of taking change herself, she avoided responsibility to figure out her own path. Then blamed her mother for her mistakes.


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Maggie

Join Date: 01/01/16

Posts: 434

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

This also was not my favorite book. I read for character. I did not bond with Libertie or her mother.


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriem

Join Date: 10/09/18

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I loved this book. I understood Cathy because she reminded me of a lot of women that helped raised me. Achievers who want the best for their daughters. Black women who understand the hurdles their daughters possibly might have to endure. I did get annoyed with Libertie at times. She was immature in a lot of ways. But the essence of the book, particularly as it was inspired by a true mother-daughter story, inspired me.


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynne z

Join Date: 01/06/18

Posts: 58

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

The book continually lost focus for me. I would think I was on one path and then it would shift to something else. It took me a long time to finish because I was not drawn in to the story or to the characters. It seemed to try to address too many issues. I wanted to like it more than I did.


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PinkLady

Join Date: 01/22/18

Posts: 187

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

Like others, this was not my favorite book. I stopped half way through because I just couldn't connect with either Libertie or her mother.


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
WPitts

Join Date: 01/13/22

Posts: 7

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

This was a difficult book to get into because I did not empathize with Libertie, she seemed so selfish and shallow. Valeriem what about their relationship makes it a true mother daughter relationship for you?


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriem

Join Date: 10/09/18

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

My personal experience of being daughtered by high achieving black women who have broken barriers is that there are high expectations. They want what they want for you without asking your permission. They just assume you will follow them into the ground they have tilled. Love isn't the issue. They loved me. But they set very rigid expectations because their experiences taught them they had to be the best at everything. And so do you. Cathy was withholding but she loved Libertie. She saw herself as Libertie's teacher and her mother. My mother is a little more nurturing but still withholding. And she was my teacher. Everything I have heard about my great-grandmother is similar to Cathy. At some point though, the daughter has to break free from her mother. Be independent. Create her own life. Make decisions for herself. Often then, she finds out her mother was- surprise, surprise- right after all. My relationship with my mother changed when I became a mother and I realized, hmm....maybe she was right about a lot of things.


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
veronica

Join Date: 10/17/12

Posts: 10

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I was very disappointed. We read this for book club and everyone had the same response, "what was the point." The cover is awesome. It definitely grabbed me. Even the beginning of the story kept me going, but as I continued to read I kept asking myself what is the point? Yes, mother and daughter relationship (flat) falling in love with the wrong man (flat). The ending??? What happened? I liked finding out about Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Steward (did my own research). I just found the story dull. The most interesting to me was the essay and interview https://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/3502/kaitlyn-greenidge


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

Valeriem, I'm sorry to hear that you found Libertie's situation similar to your own. Parents make the mistake of wanting their kids to follow in their foot steps , without considering the child's wants. We all want the best for our children, but sometimes we have to learn , as parents, to let our kids find their own way. I think that Cathy finally found she was part of the problem, but not soon enough for Libertie


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JuliaB

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 17

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I thought it was an amazing book. I agree that Libertie was not particularly likeable, but there can be few of us who don't have family members who have made poor choices, so Libertie felt achingly real to me in all her flaws.

I feel that Kaitlyn Greenidge's deep research paid off--her depictions of the time period, the relationships and expectations were not sugar coated and, like real-life, were not tied up neatly at the end. My understanding is that she hewed close to the historic record, and the reality is that people's lives are often messy and the lived experience for Libertie (and her real-life inspiration Anna Peaches McKinney) is something that is very difficult for most of us to comprehend.

I cannot imagine how, then or now, somebody grows up with a healthy self-image when faced with a world that values them less because of their skin color. I ached for Libertie growing up in a wider world that questioned her value and tested her self worth at every turn; and I felt for both mother and daughter because Dr. Sampson drove Libertie so hard out of love, because her own experience had taught her that the only way to achieve a middle class life, and keep it, was to be both exceptional and respectable.


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriem

Join Date: 10/09/18

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I don't fault my mothers and aunts for their high expectations. They are exceptional women who have amazing achievements. They have mentored dozens of young girls and are role models and they love me dearly. It wasn't a sad childhood. But I was outspoken about who I was and a lot of the time it didn't fit in with the "traditional" way of doing things. The women in my family wanted to protect me the way Cathy wanted to protect Libertie. They thought the world would injure me if I didn't do things the way they did. Like Libertie, I wanted to experience the world on my own, make my own mistakes, live freely. To me, this was a book about freedom. Racial freedom. But personal freedom.


Posted Apr. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenking

Join Date: 04/15/19

Posts: 19

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I was so excited to read this book. The first section with Libertie and her mother was interesting and engaging. But as soon as Libertie headed of to school I was very underwhelmed. I felt that the voice of Libertie was not convincing. Her thoughts and comments seemed way beyond her years.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I wanted to like this novel; actually, went into it with high expectations based on several early professional reviews. I really enjoyed the beginning sections of the book but by the time I reached the end of the book my interest had faded. The flow of the story was disjointed, specifically there are several lengthy parts which I am still unclear as to why they were relevant to the story.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I wanted to like this novel; actually, went into it with high expectations based on several early professional reviews. I really enjoyed the beginning sections of the book but by the time I reached the end of the book my interest had faded. The flow of the story was disjointed, specifically there are several lengthy parts which I am still unclear as to why they were relevant to the story.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jos

Join Date: 03/14/21

Posts: 139

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

Overall it was a good book, on point with historical times and I liked the topic of the story's focus about what freedom is to different people and how it influenced the mother and daughter relationship particularly with different skin tones that changed how each experienced their freedom. However, at times the booked lagged for me and became unfettered losing my interest. Overall it was good but I felt there was a lot of things going on not necessary to get the story’s point across. Some of the writing was brilliant and reminded me of Colson whitehead’s Underground Railroad or Ta-Nehisi Coates The Water Dancer but other parts were lost to me for their purpose in the story.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyh

Join Date: 01/23/15

Posts: 225

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

It was ok I like historical fiction about different areas and cultures


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

The Chicago Tribune critic said that he thought it was Pultizer worthy. I still did not like it, and Libertie did not find freedom.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lauriz

Join Date: 09/09/20

Posts: 15

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I enjoyed the book but it was good, not great. However there were some moments where the turning of a phrase I really loved. The author’s description of the mother daughter relationship- using the metaphor of “a cell dividing itself” was well done.


Posted Apr. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BeeBee

Join Date: 12/04/21

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. I had trouble connecting with Libertie and her mother.


Posted Apr. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckys

Join Date: 08/12/16

Posts: 233

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I did not care for this book and struggled to get through it. The writing didn't draw me in and I feel like there were too many concepts and it felt disjointed to me. I didn't relate with any of the characters.


Posted Apr. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
CCC

Join Date: 02/14/19

Posts: 8

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I have not completed the book yet. Thus far, it is taking me a while to read because of the movement of the events.


Posted Apr. 14, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reneet

Join Date: 10/03/20

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I was not a fan of Libertie, but had hope for her character after finishing the book. She seemed to have grown more empathetic after learning of Ella’s and Ti Me’s stories and experiencing the very different world in Haiti. She certainly showed a stronger, more mature character with her decisions for her future at the end of the book.


Posted Apr. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jayne25

Join Date: 04/16/21

Posts: 6

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I was excited to read Libertie. The story line interested me. However, I lost interest as the narrative progressed. Possible themes of the story were obvious; it just couldn’t hold my attention.


Posted Apr. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mariont

Join Date: 08/12/11

Posts: 38

RE: Overall, what do you think of ...

I was looking forward to reading about one of the 1st Black female doctors in the United States. Instead, it was mainly about two headstrong Mother and Daughter and their relationship. Also, the writing made it hard to read jumping in thought and ideas. Sorry this book I could not recommend.


Posted Apr. 16, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

I enjoyed the book for the history. There were many things I have never thought about, particularly about blacks in the North during the Civil War. It did not occur to me to wonder how they were treated. Many thought Libertie was unlikable. I did not feel that way, she was a product of her upbringing. I think she was somewhat jealous of her Mother being so white that she could do things she could not. Also, her Mother did not open up to her until she was gone. I did enjoy the book, however, I felt that the end of the book was rushed. I would like to know what Libertie did when she got to America,


Posted Apr. 17, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryc

Join Date: 05/07/16

Posts: 25

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

I had mixed responses to the book. It held my attention but, like others posting here, I had a hard time connecting with either Libertie or her mother.


Posted Apr. 17, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
wendyf

Join Date: 05/11/11

Posts: 76

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

A bit disappointed. The topic sounded fascinating to me but I found the book to start out very slow.


Posted Apr. 19, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
librarylu

Join Date: 02/20/17

Posts: 2

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

I loved Kaitlyn Greenidge's first book, We Love You, Charlie Freeman, so was disappointed that I didn't love Libertie as much as I thought I would. I had trouble connecting with the main characters, as other people here have said.


Posted Apr. 19, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marilyn T.

Join Date: 05/22/21

Posts: 15

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

Libertie offered an insightful, thought-provoking look at the post-Civil War period. Through rich historical details and poignant episodes (especially Ben Daisy's arrival and suicide); it became clear that the hopes and promises of emancipation would not be fully realized for free blacks and/or former slaves. Libertie's coming-of-age awareness of this parallels the reader's own, and adds to its devastating impact.

Cathie and Libertie's relationship resonated as well; especially in their lyrical exchange of letters. Libertie's experience of pregnancy and childbirth helps reconcile her to her mother's dreams for her. Early on, Cathie notes that Libertie is her poem, "the song I made" [p91]. In the end, Libertie writes to her mother and refers to the song she will sing to her when they meet again.

As others have noted, Libertie is a challenging book to read; but achingly beautiful as well.


Posted Apr. 19, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemarys

Join Date: 05/29/11

Posts: 43

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

I had a hard time starting this book but grew more interested as it went along. I was interested/horrified when I read how they smuggled the slaves out of the south in a nailed-shut coffin. I think that storyline and its characters could have been expanded on, other than the Ben-Daisy events, which I didn’t really see the point of. I liked the part that took place in Haiti, it was easier to get into.


Posted Apr. 20, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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R.DavidJohnsonMBA

Join Date: 05/13/21

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what do you think...?A Narrative Of Great Complexities That Still Allows Readers To Comprehend The Full Context Of The Story With Simplicity And Mixed-Emotions.

Kaitlyn Greenidge, a prior finalist for New York Times Critics’ Top 10 Books for 2016, has once again awed her readers with her latest novel, Libertie. Inspired by the real-life Dr. Susan Smith McKinney-Steward (the third African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States), the novel was selected being one of the 100 Notable Books of 2021 by the New York Times Book Review. Libertie is a narrative about coming of age during the Reconstruction Era and living in a free Black Community, now present day Brooklyn, New York.

The main character in the novel is young Libertie Sampson. She is the proud daughter of widowed mother, Dr. Catherine Sampson (real-life Dr. Susan Smith McKinney-Steward). Libertie is Dr. Sampson’ only child and, therefore, constantly reminded of her mother’s vision for a future of the two of them working alongside one another. Through the support of the local Ladies’ Intelligence Society (LIS), Dr. Sampson opens her own practice in Brooklyn. (The real Dr. McKinney-Steward also co-founded the Brooklyn Women’s Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary.) Consequently, being the sole daughter child of an exceptional woman (and a forerunner of her time), is an overwhelming footstep to follow for young Libertie. Rather than being one who is exemplary like her mother, Libertie would rather enjoy a simpler life; a life where she can define her own freedom. Libertie is the narrator throughout the novel, and she is purposefully given the name, Libertie, by her mother. Throughout the novel, Libertie, wholeheartedly, tries to define what freedom actually means not only to her but for a young Black woman also. For certainty, Libertie wants to be free from her mother’s most stringent expectations.

Greenidge is clearly fascinated with the Reconstruction Era; and as a novelist, her fascination evidenced throughout Libertie. For instance, in one scene in the novel, the New York City draft riots are mentioned; where in 1863 white New York citizens protested new federal draft laws. White mobs made assaults on freed Black citizens and went as far as to set fire to an orphanage. Libertie witnesses the aftermath of the carnage from these riots when Black American citizens begin arriving on boats in Brooklyn’s harbor from Manhattan. From this personal account, Libertie becomes enthusiastic in helping her doctor mother in providing aid and treatment to these refugees in need. In this particular scene (and throughout the novel), Libertie continues to define the true meaning of freedom.

Since birth, Libertie has been destined by her mother’s own dream. Dr. Sampson’s biggest dream is for Libertie to become a doctor and that the two of them work alongside one another. While Libertie continues to define her own idea of freedom, she also begins to question her mother’s ideology. For instance, Libertie believes that her mother has committed an injustice because Dr. Sampson complies with her white patients’ demands to segregate her black patients from her white patients while they’re in the medical office’s waiting room. Libertie believes that her mother defeats the progress of freedom for Black Americans because her mother complies and accepts moral wrongs.

To inhibit Libertie from being too outspoken and questioning her mother’s practices, Dr. Sampson sends Libertie afar to focus on what she is destined to become. Libertie is sent to attend a medical school in Ohio. It is one of the first all-Black American schools during the Reconstruction Era and founded by abolitionist. While there, she is the only woman that is taking courses in biology and chemistry. While at the college, Libertie continues to define the meaning of freedom. Further, unlike her mother, Libertie is a dark skinned Black woman maker her feel more isolated by the colorism that already exists amongst her classmates. To some extent, Libertie sees the opportunity that her mother given her to attend college (and to even practice medicine) as a Black woman more as enslavement. Dr. Sampson, however, believes this as opportunity as defining freedom. Libertie believes that her destiny is to be someone other than being a doctor like her mother.

After officially being told by the college that she would not be accepted back at the start of the next semester, Libertie travels back home to Brooklyn while still struggling to define the meaning of freedom. She is too ashamed to tell Dr. Sampson that she flunked medical school and has ruined Dr. Sampson’s lifelong dream of her daughter joining in her own footsteps of being a doctor. Rather than having to confront her mother of failing medical school, Libertie hastily marries an intern that has been working at her at the family practice. For Libertie, the marriage is a way if defining freedom because she has temporarily escaped her mother’s disappointment. Additionally, Libertie momentarily believes that by moving to her new husband’s country of Haiti, that she has defined the meaning of freedom. Regrettably, a better life that is promised to Libertie Haiti by her husband soon falls short. In Haiti, Libertie realizes that even women in an all-Black country are still subordinate not only to their husbands but to all men.

Kaitlyn Greenidge’s novel, Libertie, is one of great complexities that still allows readers to comprehend the full context of the story with simplicity and mixed emotions. This novel is intertwined with actual historical events, historical fiction, and coming of age during a period in United States history that is vaguely mentioned in great detail in history books. Readers of all backgrounds will relate to the characters and circumstances of Greenidge’s Libertie. Greenidge reminds us in Libertie the everyday intricacies and compromises that each of us make to find our true purpose in life; and to preserve a better life into our future that gives us even more freedom than that of what we have today.


Posted Apr. 23, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
christinec

Join Date: 03/09/20

Posts: 25

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

This book was lackluster to me - I didn’t enjoy the nature of any of the relationships - it was all too, too discouraging. Enjoyed learning some about Creole culture though.


Posted Apr. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dove12*

Join Date: 03/01/22

Posts: 13

RE: Overall, what do you think...?

I was excited to read this book. I love reading historical fiction from this period and always find a mother daughter story interesting. I thought there were moments of exceptionally beautiful prose, insight and angst. it was a bit uneven for me.
I am still glad I read it and I believe it is a great book club selection. Subjects like racism, sexism, parenting, relationships, promise of the future, how society is so very slow to change...are all topics that can be discussed.


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