Libertie

By: Kaitlyn Greenidge

Narrated by: Channie Waites

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

“Pure brilliance. So much will be written about Kaitlyn Greenidge’s Libertie - how it blends history and magic into a new kind of telling, how it spins the past to draw deft circles around our present - but none of it will measure up to the singular joy of reading this book.” (Mira Jacob, author of Good Talk)

The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award-winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.

Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else - is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it - for herself and for generations to come.

Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new novel resonates in our times and is perfect for fans of Brit Bennett, Min Jin Lee, and Yaa Gyasi.

©2021 Kaitlyn Greenidge (P)2021 Recorded Books

What is freedom??

Mother daughter relationship. Reminded me of my mom and my differences on what defines success and how she looked at success equating to freedom. I loved the description of Haiti and I look forward to this book being made into a screenplay
I loved that book was written in main character’s voice.
I’m soooo glad I listened to this book as opposed to reading printed version. Narrator was excellent. Slow first chapter. I had to read it three times!!!
Chapters were tooo long. It should have been chopped down to hour in length not two hours.

everything

kind of slowed down in parts, also some places that didn't tie good in transition of locations & locations

Libertie

I did not understand this book. I kept trying to find meaning. Libertie to me was a selfish girl who focused too much on herself and her thoughts.
It became a chore to finish the novel. I only did so because my Book club selected it for our next meeting. The plot tires you out,
I suppose the color of it would make a good movie. The sexual references are done well, the author gets points for that. Can’t recommend.

Beautiful

I love the twists and turns this book makes, as much as the lyrical beauty of the words. It’s a song of hope, a song of strength, a song of mother’s and daughters. We often don’t understand our mothers until it is too late. The song of Libertie teaches us, frees us, to love each other.

absolutely loved ir

my only qualm is about the quality of recording. the narrator occasionally speaks so softly I cannot hear her. aside from that she is amazing for the role and the book was very enjoyable.

Beautiful Written

Libertie was as complex as women are today as we still fight the same fight in this country. Only difference there was pride and the will to want better by more people.

wonderful writing

I loved this story. so beautifully told. She is free. "The water has no enemy."

Loved it!

I am so glad that I chose to listen to this book. I thought it was phenomenal and I plan on looking into other titles by this author. The narration was excellent as well!

Great Story

I felt like the book was a great story, with plenty of reality within it. A nice way to spend some time.

FANTASTIC!

Great writing, great characters, great story! The relationship between mother and daughter pulled at my heart. I think, being in my thirties now, I have a better appreciation and perspective to empathize with both characters. Loved this!