Redwood Court is a captivating story of family relationships of a Black family in South Carolina. Through the eyes of family members, the novel threads together the stories of their lives, loves, and losses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Redwood Court" is a charming but powerful novel about a black family living in 1990s South Carolina. Told mostly from the view of the youngest daughter Mika, this novel is both a coming-of-age story and a family drama. Its characters grapple with real-world trials and the characters are vibrantly alive and realistic. At times achingly intimate, this portrait of a family completely captivated me and its characters will stick with me for some time. The author's writing style is perfect for the tone of the book; this book is very well-written, especially for a debut. I think this book will be popular with book clubs.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this lovely book.

"Redwood Court" by DeLana R.A. Dameron beautifully depicts the resilience of a Black working-class community in Columbia, South Carolina. The story revolves around Mika Tabor, growing up in the tight-knit Redwood Court. It introduces a range of memorable characters, delving into Mika's family dynamics, especially her hardworking parents and her sister's search for identity amid Motown melodies.
Dameron excels in bringing Redwood Court's residents to life with vivid portrayals, exploring family ties and intergenerational relationships. The novel's focus on community strength and the pursuit of a better future resonates deeply. While the book's character-driven plot and themes are touching, some may find the pacing slow. Nonetheless, "Redwood Court" remains a gem and comes highly recommended.

This coming of age story is captivating from beginning to end. The author captured the feelings and thoughts of Mika perfectly where you understand her viewpoint and those of the other characters. Loved the bond Mika shared with Teeta then later with Weesie. Teeta’s death had me crying. It was sad yet inspired me to make sure I’m present to create memories with my family especially older generations.

The author's tale is one which gave me a good understanding of growing up Black in this country. The book follows several generations of a family as they struggle to raise their offspring with the hope that each generation will achieve more than the last one. A good read.

Taken to a part of the 90’s I existed in, but wasn’t a part of. This was about the journey. The beginning is a little confusing with the timelines, otherwise a well written coming of age story.

Absolutely love the cover!
Thanks for the advanced copy.

I received this book from Penguin Random House to give a fair & honest review.

I like family sagas & I also like coming of age books & this was both. The era of the story, mainly from the 60's -90's was a time filled with many changes & especially in the black community. Most of the story takes place in Columbia, SC & mostly in the neighborhood of Redwood Court. There are many characters, mostly family members near & far & also friends, neighbors etc. At times it was very hard to keep up with everyone even with a list of characters in the front of the book.

What I had to hardest part with was which person & POV the story was being told by. This dramatically slowed my reading down & is the reason I gave it a 3 star VS a 4 star. Overall there were parts I really liked.

4 stars
An absolutely stunning book of a woman learning and trying to be "SEEN". I have never read this author before but her descriptions and ability to pull the reader into the story is phenomenal.

For the first 15 or 20 pages I did have trouble getting into the book, "Redwood Court". But, I quickly got into the rhythm of the writing and the beauty of the stories of a family living an "ordinary" life in ordinary circumstances. And oh what a storyteller Ms. Cameron is! I am so glad I stuck with the language of her people as they interacted with one another, in the rural, Columbia, South Carolina town, where the story takes place.

I loved the interactions of the characters and the love the family members felt for one another; even when they found the circumstances exasperating. One can't help wishing they were part of this terrific family. Especially, when you learn that Ms. Decameron is telling of her own life experiences, and realize that all the characters are based on real people who are members of her own family.

I stuck with it, I loved it. And I highly recommend, "Redwood Court".

Wow what a heartbreaking and breathtaking book. I sobbed through this but finished feeling powerful, understood and respected. 10/10 recommend.

A family saga growing up in a Black neighborhood in the 90's. Family relationships as witnessed by the family's youngest child make this a compelling read.

DeLana R.A. Dameron's debut novel, "Redwood Court," unfolds as a captivating coming-of-age story set in the 1990s, offering a tender exploration of an unforgettable Southern Black family. Through the lens of the youngest daughter, Mika Tabor, the novel paints a vivid portrait of life in the all-Black working-class suburb of Columbia, South Carolina.

The storytelling is a triumph, as Dameron skillfully weaves together the perspectives of various family members, providing a nuanced view of their struggles, dreams, and the multigenerational ties that bind them. Mika's upbringing on Redwood Court unfolds against the backdrop of her parents' hard work, her sister's musical preferences, and her grandparents' vision of success—a house on the Court in the 1960s, a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of Jim Crow.

The novel's strength lies in its celebration of ordinary yet extraordinary people, their resilience, and the pursuit of their American dreams. Dameron's powerful prose brings to life the devastation of invisibility and the transformative power of being seen, making the characters deeply relatable and the narrative emotionally resonant.

As a reader who occasionally finds it challenging to navigate multiple perspectives, I did encounter moments when the switches between characters became a bit overwhelming. However, this aspect doesn't detract from the overall impact of the story. The close-knit family dynamic, rich with multi-generational connections, adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to the narrative.

Personally connecting with the Southern family's experience, reminiscent of my own family's migration for a "better life," enhanced my appreciation for the book. The familiar 90s references, from music choices to shared moments between Mika and her grandfather, added a nostalgic touch that resonated with my own experiences as a 90s kid.

"Redwood Court" is a poignant and beautifully written debut novel. It would make an excellent addition to book club discussions, offering rich material for exploring family dynamics, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. This book effortlessly captures the essence of a Southern family, making it an enjoyable and relatable read.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about a family and the house that was their home.

"Redwood Court" by DeLana R.A. Dameron is a touching and beautifully character-driven novel that pays homage to the strength and resilience of an all-Black working-class community in Columbia, South Carolina. At the heart of the narrative is Mika Tabor, the youngest member of her family, who grows up on Redwood Court, a close-knit cul-de-sac. Through her eyes and experiences, we are introduced to a cast of memorable characters, each with their own struggles and dreams. The novel explores the dynamics of Mika's family, particularly her parents who work tirelessly to provide for their children, and her older sister who seeks her identity amidst the Motown melodies of their home.

DeLana R.A. Dameron's strength lies in her character development; she brings the residents of Redwood Court to life with vivid and authentic portrayals. The novel's exploration of family dynamics and the intergenerational relationships is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The strong sense of community and the determination to build and preserve a better life for future generations are central themes that resonate throughout the story. While "Redwood Court" excels in its character-driven plot and poignant themes, the pacing was a bit slow for me. But, overall this book is a gem and I highly recommend!

I absolutely devoured this book! I had been in a reading slump and this pulled me right out! I am a sucker for a good coming of age story and this story centering around Mika in the South in the 90s was right up my alley! I loved the author’s writing style and would definitely read this author again! Overall, this book was atmospheric with beautifully written prose. Loved it!

In "Redwood Court", DeLana Dameron offers a new take on a family saga, leading readers through the Tabor family's beginnings at Redwood Court, a tight-knight black neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, where Teeta (Louise) and Weesie (James) Mosby manage to buy a home in the 1960s. Across alternating perspectives, the story of the family's beginnings and hardships are told - from Teeta's determination to plant her family's roots and build a strong community around them, to their daughter Rhina's growth as she meets and marries Major (Tommy) Tabor, to the third generation of children: Sasha and Mika.

The bulk of the story is told from Mika's perspective, focusing on her coming-of-age as a young black girl in the late 20th century. She watches the struggles and triumphs of her family as they experience grief and loss; as untold family secrets are revealed; and as the color of her family's skin in their community leads to even more growing pains. Over the course of the novel, the strength of her family's love and dedication to each other is made evident and serves as the pillar for them all.

Thematically, there was much that I appreciated about the story - the historical context in the second half of the 20th century highlighted the repercussions of war that Weesie and Major both experienced, especially as PTSD was not well understood at the time; the coming-of-age of each of these generations, as they had dramatically different experiences given the changes across generations; the strength of family, despite numerous and unforeseen difficulties and tribulations. The prose is well-crafted and lyrical, taking on distinct voices and personas across family members. However, even as someone who enjoys character-driven novels, I found the pacing too slow for much of the story and the unequal weight given to Mika, versus other members of her family, off-balance. There is very little focus given to the second generation of this family (Rhina and Major) with only small glimpses of Weesie and Teeta's earlier life.

While I did enjoy this novel, there were definitely moments that I had difficulty working through the pages and struggled with the overall structure.

A Must-Read Novel!

The author's impressive writing style, combined with a comedic edge, is truly noteworthy. The majority of the story is narrated from the perspective of Mika, the youngest grandchild, while other relatives also share their own accounts.

The story is set in Redwood Court, an all-black, working-class neighborhood in the 1990s. Mika and her family's quest for the "American Dream" is both heartwarming and inspiring. You'll embark on a journey with Mika and her family, witnessing their perseverance as they face obstacles and celebrate their achievements.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to everyone.

As an Advanced Release Copy recipient from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - The Dial Press, I'm excited to see the success of this novel.

What a beautiful story, filled with stories.

Mika, the youngest in her household and her entire family around her, brings us long as she is growing up in the 90s. A child of the 90s myself, I connected with this so much of the pop culture of this book, though as a white girl, I enjoyed seeing this wholly unique perspective of life in a Black working class neighborhood.

I adored Mika and her family, full of so many different experiences, both triumphant and painful. There was so much to love about this beautiful story, from the writing to the imagery that felt almost tangible. This doesn’t follow a typical storyline structure with a big climactic moment, but carries that stunning prose and wholehearted family feel throughout.

Mika is the granddaughter of Weesie and Teeta, residents of Redwood Court, a cul de sac in Columbia, South Carolina. When she attempts to complete a school project on her ancestry, she finds little information and interest in who and what came before. They care about their family now. Through her viewpoint we meet her family members and witness their experiences and contributions to their small African-American community and to their country. We share their family trips and holidays, their successes and losses. Through them Mika learns life lessons, how to survive in 1990’s America. Love of and loyalty to the family are the most important. Delana R. A. Dameron’s tone and pace are slow and gentle; the incidents, a combination of frustration, disappointment and unfairness, touched with humor. The sadness of Uncle Junior contrasts with the hope Mika brings to her hard-working parents and grandparents. This is a poignant slice of life novel where a young girl shares her family’s love and dreams to the very last page.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Mika loves her family and the neighborhood she grew up. Her parents give her and her family everything they could ever want or need. Mika likes listening to her grandparents stories. This book was an emotional read.