Sing, Unburied, Sing

by Jesmyn Ward
Sing, Unburied, Sing cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 729
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9786024021719
  • Publisher: Mizan Qanita
  • Published: 2020-03-19
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 4

Thirteen-year-old Jojo is forced to grow up too soon, caring for his baby sister while his father is in prison and his mother struggles with drug addiction. Haunted by the ghost of his uncle, who died due to racism, Jojo embarks on a journey with his family to pick up his father from prison. The trip is fraught with challenges, including hunger and the persistent presence of his uncle's ghost, who seeks to resolve unfinished business. /n/nThe novel is praised for its unique writing style and emotional depth, earning accolades from Time Magazine and The New York Times as one of the best books of 2017. It explores themes of family, love, and the enduring impact of the past.

Reviews
WatchJaro · 2026-01-01
impactful 4.50

The book is beautifully written with a gripping and raw narrative. It follows 13-year-old JoJo and his perceptive toddler sister Kayla.

The novel is a poignant and raw exploration of family dynamics and the impact of incarceration. The writing is stunning, with a lyrical beauty that captures the essence of the characters' lives. The narrative is gripping, drawing readers into the complex relationships and emotional struggles of the protagonists. The story is both poetically brilliant and tragically honest, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    I found Sing, Unburied, Sing to be beautifully written with a gripping and raw narrative.

    It follows 13-year-old JoJo and his perceptive toddler sister Kayla.

    The story is both poetically brilliant and tragically honest.

The White Review · 2025-09-19
haunting 4.00

The present is depicted as suffocating due to a violent and unjust past, making the story a haunting horror tale. The book's depth and emotional weight leave a lasting impression.

The White Review describes 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' as a story where the present is so deeply entangled with a violent past that it feels suffocating. They see it as a horror story in the sense that it confronts the reader with the inescapable injustices of history. The reviewer is struck by the emotional weight and depth of the narrative, which leaves a profound impact.

Quick quotes

    A story about a present so steeped in a violent, unjust past, it's suffocating everyone and everything it touches.

    At heart, a horror story.

    The depth and emotional weight leave a lasting impression.

Vishy the Knight · 2018-09-03
engaging 4.00

The story runs at an even pace and the prose is elegantly unobtrusive. It is a pleasure to read and keeps the pages turning.

The narrative flows smoothly, with a pace that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The prose is elegantly unobtrusive, allowing the story to unfold naturally. The characters and their struggles are vividly portrayed, making it a compelling read. The author's writing style is a significant strength, gliding along elegantly and unobtrusively, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.

Quick quotes

    The story runs at an even pace and the pages turn themselves.

    Jesmyn Ward's prose glides along elegantly and unobtrusively and is a pleasure to read.

    The writing is a significant strength, making it a compelling read.

The Bookish Bulletin · 2017-12-23
evocative 4.50

The book is an intimate portrait of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle. It examines the ugly truths at the heart of the American story.

The reviewer praises the book for its intimate portrayal of a family and its epic tale of hope and struggle. They find it thought-provoking and evocative, highlighting its examination of the harsh realities of the American story. The book's ability to blend personal narratives with broader societal issues makes it a compelling and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    An intimate portrait of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle.

    Sing, Unburied, Sing examines the ugly truths at the heart of the American story.

    It is a thought-provoking and evocative page-turner.

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