Oh my, I thoroughly enjoyed Lee’s prose in Pomegranate, through its exploration of addiction, prison, and queerness. Ranita’s challenges are lucidly portrayed, and while the themes toe the line for shock value, Ranita was such a sweet and lovely character to root for.

Although the depiction of trauma may seem surface-level at times, Lee captures the weight of Ranita’s experiences without veering into sensationalism. However, moments like the rapid recall of repressed memories could have been more realistic.

The exploration of queerness is intriguing but lacks depth; Ranita’s self-discovery and her relationship with Maxine feel underdeveloped. Overall, Pomegranate invites reflection on transformation and identity, and Lee's engaging style makes it more than a worthwhile read.

What a wonderful book! I loved this grounded, gorgeous literary fiction, which follows our main character Ranita after her release from prison, as she readjusts to her life, tries to repair her relationship with her two children, and comes to terms with her queerness. The absolute highlight is the strong character voice; Ranita is deeply developed and wonderfully real, and her strong presence in the first-person POV makes this a joy to read. Very much recommended!

Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a DNF for me..

I tried to finish it but it lost my interest after about 20% in.
I will try to pick it up again and finish it. If I do I will update my review but overall, it's a no for me :(

Lee's latest novel revisits themes from her previous work, focusing on a Black woman's journey to reunite with her children after grappling with addiction and incarceration. Following Ranita Atwater's release from prison, the narrative delves into her past, exploring her tumultuous relationships, addiction struggles, and moments of joy amidst hardship. Alternating between timelines, Ranita's memories unravel, shedding light on the traumas underlying her experiences, including racism and systemic injustice. Through Ranita's introspection and encounters with strong female figures, the novel navigates themes of identity and resilience. While the pacing may lag at times, Lee's adept handling of trauma and poignant portrayal of the carceral system's impact offer a compelling narrative, akin to the anticipation before a pomegranate reveals its hidden treasures.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Beautiful and necessary story about recovery and connection after incarceration. As the story unfolds we learn more about how Ranita and how she got to this place in her life.

I loved this book! I’m 8 months pregnant and struggling with insomnia so I’ve been reading from my kindle at night as to not wake my partner, and managed to gobble this book up in a matter of days. The themes were serious, I cried a couple of times, and the author’s prose kept me on every word. I will look forward to more titles by this author.

This book was absolutely beautifully done. So nuanced. Loved the layers to it. Such fantastic character growth. I would read anything from this author.

I was instantly drawn this book from the cover alone. After reading the small synopsis I knew I had to read it. Ranita begins the story finishing up her four-year sentence in prison while also working on her addiction recovery. The book showcases Ranita's journey toward personal growth, working to have her children and other family members back, and the past that brought Ranita to her current life situation. The writing was absolutely beautiful, and I always have a soft spot for stories that take place in the Massachusetts area where I live. Lee explored what it looks like to be a queer, black woman recovering and working to become the person she wants to be. Every time I had to put down the book, I just wanted to keep reading to see where Ranita would go next. I love this story.

This is one of my favorite books I've read so far this year. This book has the feeling of a memoir, but is a fictional story full of real life struggles, feelings, memories, relatable characters, and situations. It is not action packed (but not slow either), but rather it is emotional and hopeful and wonderful.

Getting to know Ranita felt like catching up with an old friend. She is making her way back into society post incarceration, trying to stay clean, fighting for her kids back, and navigating her sexuality in a world that has gone on without her for years. Ranita’s story could be anyone you pass on the street, in the grocery store, or in your neighborhood. 4/5

DNF. Thought I’d be super into this book but the audiobook was pretty dry and I couldn’t get in. Maybe will try again as a physical book later.

Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

Contemporary literary novel on the struggle of a black woman returning to society after being released from prison. While this is a work of fiction, the emotions and struggles Ranita faced are realistic. I felt that it was well written and thought provoking.

I received this as a hardcopy through a book tour but I could not get into this one - I just don’t think the genre was what I truly enjoy. I think others who like literary fiction would probably like this.

While the novel offers a complex and intimate exploration of queer Black womanhood and the devastating impact of addiction and incarceration, its slow-paced narrative and prose may not be to every reader's taste.

The strength of "Pomegranate" lies in its authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by a Black woman attempting to rebuild her life in the face of marginalization and societal barriers.

Helen Elaine Lee's prose, though precise and descriptive, may not be engaging enough for readers who prefer a faster pace. The slow-burn nature of the story may make it challenging to stay fully invested in the narrative, and some readers might find themselves yearning for more urgency and momentum.

Despite this, the novel's exploration of themes such as family, memory, faith, and love adds depth to Ranita's journey, making it a thought-provoking reading experience. The complexities of queer Black womanhood are thoughtfully depicted, allowing readers to gain insight into the intersectionality of identity and the unique struggles faced by marginalized communities.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Ranita is a recovering addict who is just being released from jail. The novel goes back and forth between her early life and how she got to where she is, her time in jail, and her life after, when she tries to stay sober and earn the right to get her children back. A lot of this is tough to read, and it really shows you how hard it is for someone coming out of prison to stay on the straight and narrow. There is hope, and there are some strong relationships from all parts of her life. #netgalley #simonandschuster #incarceration #advancedreaderscopy #arc #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

I don't know what I was expecting from this book. Another post-prison story that depresses and opens the. mind, perhaps. But what we have here is a beautifully written, thoughtful, creative story of a woman finding herself, dealing with social injustice, and forging a new path in this world. It's just stunning.

Ranita Atwater is finishing a four-year sentence for opiate possession at Oak Hills Correctional Center. With three years of sobriety, she is determined to stay clean and regain custody of her two children. But she begins to uncover her past during mandated therapy and realizes that she's more complex than she realized. In fact, she's like a pomegranate with multiple parts. As her dad said, "There’s no making up for what’s past, but this here (pomegranate) has got some surprising and wonderful news buried just inside."
This book hit close to home. It's relatable for anyone in recovery or who loves someone in recovery. The author includes multiple tips that support sobriety, including naming gratitudes, crafts, breathing, music, and friendship, which I found helpful.
There's quite a bit of profanity, though. Also, I didn't notice a lyrical tone like the ad copy suggests. And the flashbacks are annoying.
Like Ranita, we are all complex. That reminder can help us continue our unique journey to recovery.

I couldn’t get into the writing style and characterization didn't really work for me. I wanted to enjoy this story but it juts ended up flat for me as much I tried with this one.

I think this novel is going to stay with me for a long, long time. A stunning novel and I can see why it's already being called one of the best of 2023.