Do you agree with the epigraph? How does this novel carry out James Baldwin's directive?

Discuss the epigraph: "For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness." Do you agree? How does this novel carry out James Baldwin's directive?

I do. There is nothing new under the sun. Each of us has a story of sorrow, delight and (maybe) triumph. By sharing our story and hearing the stories of others, we embrace our common humanity. We learn, we empathize, and understand a bit better what it means to be alive. As Baldwin so beautifully says, "There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness".

I couldn't say it better than joanr.

I agree with the epigraph 100%. Do I think it applies to this novel? I am not sure. My conflicted thought is that tying it to this novel (which I liked but did not love) trivializes Baldwin's writing.

Except for a little girl eating chocolate cake and children watching puppet shows, I do not sense much delight or triumph in these stories. That leaves us with suffering. Indeed!

I totally agree! Each of our life stories has suffering and joy and triumph... maybe not in that order, we don't always have a happy ending, just like the characters in this story, but we surely have some triumph in our lives at some point.

I do. Telling our own stories and listening with respect and empathy to the stories of others is a large part of what makes us human. This novel weaves the stories of characters who must be heard. And coming to care about the characters is indeed a light in the darkness.