The Davenports

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but found that it didn’t keep my interest throughout. While I was very intrigued with the overall plot (based on a real family) -the realm of Black Victorians and the unique challenges they faced in the early 20th Century- I found myself bored with the repetitive thoughts and actions of each character. There were a lot of characters too; so here and there I found myself doing a double-take to keep them straight. This book is worth a read due to the fact there is not much fiction like this. I hope that the next book in the series has a tighter approach with less repetitive characters. Overall, this book could have been 25% shorter than it was.

The Davenports follows a rich black family in a time period where it is uncommon. We see the points of view of four main characters as they go through changes in their lives. Olivia is the oldest sister who can be seen as more traditional. Helen is the youngest sister who would rather break away from expectations. Amy-Rose is the girls' maid, and Ruby is Olivia's best friend. First of all, I really like the cover of the book and the colors. The beginning of the book was a little slow and not as enjoyable as the rest. Once I had actually gotten into the book and began reading, I kept wanting to continue reading. There was not a part where I was bored and I was engaged the whole time. I like the characters and seeing them realize their own faults while growing from them. I also liked seeing how the relationships between characters developed from the beginning of the book to the end. The ending was not as satisfying to me as I would have liked but overall I really enjoyed the book.

The Davenports is set in 1910s Chicago and is told from the points of view of four young Black women. Formerly enslaved, William Davenport has built the successful Davenport Carriage Company and has become very wealthy. His daughters Olivia and Helen find themselves wanting to follow paths that do not meet their parents' approval. Ruby, Olivia's best friend is under pressure to make a match to further her parents financial and political aspirations. Amy-Rose grew up with Olivia and Helen, now works as the family's maid, and has the goal of opening her own salon. The characters are distinct, and each has a coming-of-age storyline. I really enjoyed the socioeconomic, political, historical and civil rights aspects of the book. It was fascinating to see Chicago at such a pivotal time through the eyes of these four Black women. I would like even more of the historical context in future books in the series. The Davenports is well-written romantic fiction filled with drama, conflict and a unique historical perspective. Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy to review.