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.