Staff Pick
This innovative novel from 1974 offers a unique look at the Black experience, as well as a new take on the Theseus myth. Our heroine, Christine (nicknamed Oreo by her grandmother), is intelligent, quick-witted, and immanently relatable. I loved anticipating how she would use her vast knowledge to deal with the situations that befall her, as well as the sly humor that is weaved in throughout. Every aspect of this story, from the language and the characters to the structure of the novel itself, is unprecedented and fascinating. Oreo is a must-read for any fan of atypical fiction. Recommended By Corey S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Born to a Jewish father and black mother who divorce before she is two, Oreo grows up in Philadelphia with her maternal grandparents while her mother tours with a theatrical troupe. Soon after puberty, Oreo heads for New York with a pack on her back to search for her father; but in the big city she discovers that there are dozens of Sam Schwartzes in the phone book, and Oreo's mission turns into a wickedly humorous picaresque quest. The ambitious and playful narrative challenges accepted notions of race, ethnicity, culture, and even the novelistic form itself.