THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS
by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
Had I been familiar with Honoree Fannone Jeffers and known that she is a celebrated poet, I might have anticipated what a gorgeous book I was about to read when I opened The Love Songs of W. E. B. du Bois. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect—because of its title. Was it a collection of love songs by W. E. B. du Bois? It is not. Love Songs is an epic, multi-generational novel in which du Bois’ influence looms large.
Love Songs’ protagonist, Ailey Pearl Garfield, experiences what du Bois called “double-consciousness”—the often conflicted state Black Americans feel growing up in the United States. Attending graduate school in the North, Ailey spends summers in Georgia with her mother’s family who are direct descendants of African slaves. In her academic pursuits, Ailey ends up confronting her family’s history and how her ancestors’ lives have directly impacted generations of Garfields that followed, including her immediate family.
Not only does Jeffers execute an exquisite, expansive story across generations, but she explores a myriad of compelling themes: How can women find their voices when no one will listen to them? How can a woman realize her self-worth in a society that doesn’t seem to value her? What are the roles of family and tradition in helping to create strong, independent women? Jeffers’ masterpiece pulls the reader right into Ailey’s life and leaves us breathless with what she ultimately achieves. Love Songs is worth the investment of time required to read it. It is a true gem. (Liz)
