I don’t typically read much nonfiction but the synopsis of McFadden’s memoir convinced me to give it a chance, and I’m glad I did. I love the interweaving of so many of the stories of the other women in her life and the focus on Black women’s experiences. I did struggle sometimes with the lack of linearity because stories would be interjected with historical context and it would make it hard for me, personally, to hold onto all the details and references and who had what experiences. That aside, though, this is a really intense memoir with lots of experiences and also an abundance of love. I’m really glad I read this and looking forward to trying some of McFadden’s fiction.

First Born Girls
By: Bernice L. McFadden

What Bernice L. McFadden has offered with First Born Girls, is a family memoir; and I loved it. It is one thing to to tell your story and include the people, places and events that are relevant; it is quite another to honor the people (mostly women) who loved, guided and pushed you to become the person that you are, by telling the collective story. That is what this book is. It feels like a “thank you” letter to all whom contributed to the brilliant author and dynamic woman that McFadden has proven to be time and time again. The story flowed with such beauty and ease that even the difficult and painful moments didn’t feel as biting. I loved the way McFadden would veer off and offer a story about a great aunt, or distant cousin that didn’t always seem to have a direct connection, but added so much texture to the narrative. It is not a full accounting of the author’s life, but she takes us from her birth to the birth of her debut novel Sugar. It was an enlightening journey and an all around fantastic read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. I love everything this author has written. This book definitely is not for the weak. What it gives us is her back story and insight to her other works. I heavily related to this book and the patriarchy in it. This was a very emotional ride and I can’t wait to read this one again. As a first born daughter it really reinforced my thought during adulthood and coming to terms as a mother. Things that could have been a lot different.This is a story that will sit with you and challenge everything you think a parent should be. I loved the author’s vulnerability and honesty. I will forever recommend this book to my audience.

Bernice McFadden's *Firstborn Girls* is a powerful story about family pain, ancestral lineages and healing. She shares how she almost died as a toddler and grew up with a father who struggled with addiction. Her honesty makes her journey feel real and relatable- the writing is so vivid that it makes you feel as if you were at home with her reliving the scenes.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, McFadden found comfort in books and summer visits to Barbados. These escapes helped her deal with the chaos at home. Her words paint a clear picture of both the difficult and joyful parts of her childhood.

The book made me think about my own experiences as a firstborn daughter and the complicated emotions tied to my relationship with my mother. McFadden explores the idea of the "mother wound," those unanswered questions we carry about our mothers' struggles and choices. She examines how as we grow from girls to women we begin to regard our mothers differently and this is also an act of healing.

What stood out most was her idea of 'angelcestors," ancestors who spiritually guide her. This concept is woven throughout the narrative as a way to point to signs and synchronicities along her own journey of becoming and spiritual growth. The way this book is written reminded me how powerful our connections to the past can be. McFadden's story encourages personal reflection and emotional growth in a way that's accessible to everyone. This book provides an equal dose of grit and grace. I loved every page!

Firstborn Girls is a really compelling true story of deep rooted family drama and trauma. Bernice's story is unrelentingly heartbreaking with the cycles of abuse from maternal and paternal figures. The most that I took away is that looking at the cycles and cycles of abuse from Bernice's grandparents and parents, you can really see how centuries of systematic racism affects the micro.

4/5 Thanks to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Memoir detailing not only her life but also those of family and friends growing up in the United States, disconnected
from ancestral Black history and the impact on their lives.The author shares heart wrenching details and the courage it
takes to keep moving forward for a better life and opportunities to advance.
#FirstbornSisters #PenguinGroup #Dutton #NetGalley

From the very first page, McFadden weaves a narrative that is as poetic as it is powerful. Her prose captures the essence of love, loss, and the enduring strength of familial ties. The characters are beautifully complex, their struggles and triumphs resonating with raw authenticity. One of the most striking aspects of *Firstborn Girls* is how McFadden deftly blends past and present, allowing readers to see the ripple effects of decisions and traditions across time. Each chapter is a tapestry of emotion, pulling readers into the lives of these remarkable women and their interconnected stories. This novel is more than just a story—it’s an experience. It invites readers to reflect on their own family histories and the legacies that shape who we are. McFadden’s ability to evoke such introspection is a testament to her talent as a writer. *Firstborn Girls* is a book that lingers long after the final page. It’s the kind of novel you’ll want to share with friends, discuss in book clubs, and revisit over the years. Bernice L. McFadden has truly outdone herself with this stunning work. Highly recommended for anyone who loves multi-generational stories, rich character development, and prose that speaks directly to the soul. A must-read!

deeply heartfelt and well written memoir about discovering and learning ones identity. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I read everything Bernice McFadden!

As a firstborn girls from a firstborn girls, this book was relatable on so many levels that I am still processing.

A story family, beginnings, longing, pain, domestic violence, and finding your voice while reaching for the stars. Bernice McFadden gives us her story with all its imperfections that many of us know up until the publication of her first novel 𝑆𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑟.

I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!

First Born Girls is a novel about the life of Bernice McFadden. It is a hard life filled with abuse and misfortune. I kept wondering why the generations of women in her family tolerated that continual abuse from the men in their lives, but I had to remind myself that they felt they had no other options. Bernice , as well as most of the other women in her family tolerated, became pregnant and was forced into
abusive marriages. They endured and survived, but only Bernice had a will to change her life. Her writing was her salvation and she succeeded after many years of struggle to get published.
I had known about her novel, Sugar, so I was curious about her life. After reading her autobiography, I now want to read some of her books to see how her experiences influenced her writing.
This novel is hard to read, but it is worth the effort .

I really wanted to love this book but it was slow and confusing. I couldn’t connect to the characters. This might be one that I just needed to read at a different time and not during the hustle of Christmas with too much other stuff going on. I’ll try it again another time.

Firstborn girls chronicles the historical account and modern connections the author has with her ancestors. The journey of learning about your ancestors and learning that you lives are inexplicably tied to each other is a journey that Mcfadden brilliantly shares. The author shares the first born daughter experience throughout the book and the path in which the responsibilities and role of first born girls endure is so relatable though overwhelming. The sharing of something so personal and deeply touching as the author shares her history with the reader and so intricately connects the patterns that repeat throughout her lineage. Introspective and intrigued is how I felt throughout this wonderful reading experience.

This is a beautiful look at McFadden's family history and how it shaped her and brought her to where she is today.
A sometimes hard to swallow story, but very necessary to showcase diversity of life.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Firstborn Girls is an expansive memoir by Bernice L. McFadden as she traces back hers and her family's roots, history, and identities. Such a journey requires a deep dive into history, all around the world, from the United States to Barbados. While the memoir seeks to cover everyone in her family, the emphasis on women and girls is important and ever-present throughout the novel. The memoir explores coming-of-age and growing up; it explores what it is like to be a black woman in the United States—as a young girl, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and so forth. The memoir delves into McFadden finding herself, but also her family.

McFadden's story was difficult to read at times, from the jumps in time to people, and of course, all of the harrowing moments experienced by her, her family, and others throughout history. However, the story was still illuminated with hope and love and perseverance. McFadden has a knack for weaving her own stories and thoughts between her own perceptions of her family's colorful histories, and all of the histories around them. Her writing brought a vulnerability to the page that was difficult to look away from. McFadden's story is a worthwhile read, given the immense amounts of perspective she offers, as well as the hidden histories she reveals with her careful wording, and I think her story will stay with me after this.

Firstborn Girls is a deeply heartfelt memoir about family, identity, race, and history. McFadden explores her roots, dating back to her four-times great-grandmother in 1822, and uses the information she finds about her ancestors and about the history of Black people to trace a map of her own life. This is a uniquely beautiful book that not only includes the life and lessons of one woman but of many, each life offering its own trials and tribulations, wisdom and power. I loved the emphasis on McFadden’s ancestors and the connection that she so clearly feels to them—it added an additional special touch on this already stunning piece of work. I appreciated McFadden’s directness in her writing about her past and about the discrimination that non-white people and communities, specifically Black communities, have faced; she doesn’t sugar-coat and I admire that in an author and a memoir. Firstborn Girls is a story of survival and resiliency against all odds; a book that everyone should read.

Thank you Dutton Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Mar. 4 2025

Beautifully written! Such rich history embededed throughout the book. Thank you for sharing your story!

I am always excited to read anything Bernice McFadden writes, and this book was no exception. Her story is, at times, harrowing but also deeply inspiring. While it was challenging to read about the many hardships she overcame, I greatly appreciate her vulnerability. Through this, I gained a deeper understanding of how she evolved into the remarkable author she is today.

Firstborn Girls: A Memoir by Bernice L. McFadden is a powerful and moving account of life, family, and identity. McFadden’s storytelling is deeply personal, and she captures the complexities of being a firstborn daughter with honesty and grace. The book is filled with emotional depth, and her reflections are poignant and thought-provoking. I was drawn into her journey and felt connected to her experiences. The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of 5 is that some parts felt a bit slow, but overall, it’s a beautifully written memoir that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.