the two lives of sara catherine adel west

Sara's story brought tears to my eyes and will be one that I will continue to revisit for years to come.' - Taj McCoy Catherine Adel West's masterful way with words is vibrant, gut-wrenching, and hauntingly beautiful. 'The Two Lives of Sara completely took my breath away. 'An utterly absorbing and dazzling novel about the stories we tell to stay alive and the secrets we keep to protect ourselves.' - Nancy Jooyoun Kim A stunning journey of a mother's love and sacrifice.' - Nancy Johnson Through complex characters, exquisite detail, and rich language, West explores the impossible choices we make to protect those we love.

'A heartfelt story of family, community, and the secrets that won't turn us loose. Sara King and the family she finds at the Scarlet Poplar will stay with you long after the final page.' - Lane Clarke 'A gripping reflection on our need to be loved and our fear of rejection, Catherine Adel West crafts a timeless and complex narrative of family, loss, and what it means to lose faith in religion and ourselves. Catherine Adel West has woven a rich story filled with warmth, faith, and hope while also incisively exploring the limits of resilience.' - Maisy Card 'This heartfelt novel about a survivor trying to build a new life among a found family cuts deep. With a charismatic cast of characters, The Two Lives of Sara is an emotional and unforgettable story of hope, the limitations of resilience and unexpected love. Romance blooms between them, but secrets from Mama Sugar’s past threaten their newfound happiness and lead Sara to make decisions that will reshape the rest of their lives. Black literature and music provide the stories and soundtrack for these turbulent and hopeful times, and Sara finds herself drawn in by conversations of education, politics and a brighter tomorrow with Jonas, a local schoolteacher.

Across the country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. Like many cities in early 1960s America, Memphis is still segregated, but change is in the air. She is welcomed with open arms by Mama Sugar, a kindly matriarch and owner of the popular boardinghouse The Scarlet Poplar.

Sara King has nothing, save for her secrets and the baby in her belly, as she boards the bus to Memphis, hoping to outrun her past in Chicago. Magazine, The Root, Popsugar, Bustle, and many more! “An utterly absorbing and dazzling novel about the stories we tell to stay alive and the secrets we keep to protect ourselves.” - Nancy Jooyoun Kim, New York Times Bestselling author of The Last Story of Mina Lee In 1960s Memphis, a young mother finds refuge in a boardinghouse where family encompasses more than just blood and hidden truths can bury you or set you free. Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Ms.

The two lives of sara catherine adel west