Firstborn Girls

A Memoir

De: Bernice L. McFadden

Narrado por: Robin Miles, Bernice L. McFadden

From award-winning author and creative writing professor at Tulane University comes an intimate and powerful memoir exploring inherited trauma, family secrets, and the enduring bonds of love between mothers and daughters.

On her second birthday in 1967, Bernice McFadden died in a car crash near Detroit, only to be resuscitated after her mother pulled her from the flaming wreckage. Firstborn Girls traces her remarkable life from that moment up to the publication of her first novel, Sugar.

Growing up in 1980s Brooklyn, Bernice finds solace in books, summer trips to Barbados, and boarding school to escape her alcoholic father. Discovering the works of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, she finally sees herself and her loved ones reflected in their stories of “messy, beautiful, joyful Black people.”

Interwoven with Bernice's personal journey is her family's history, beginning with her four-times enslaved great-grandmother Louisa Vicey Wilson in 1822 Hancock County, Georgia. Her descendants survived Reconstruction and Jim Crow, joined the Great Migration, and mourned Dr. King’s assassination during the Civil Rights Movement. These women's wisdom, secrets, and fierce love are passed down like Louisa's handmade quilt.

A memoir of many threads, Firstborn Girls is an extraordinarily moving portrait of a life shaped by family, history, and the drive to be something more.

©2025 Bernice L. McFadden (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A distinguished novelist explores the history that shaped her and the women in her family. . . . A powerful, richly tapestried book about race, history, love, and the healing power of the written word.”—Kirkus

“Novelist McFadden delivers the captivating, multigenerational stories of her family in a poignant memoir.”—Booklist

“In her remarkable memoir, Bernice McFadden revisits the chaos of girlhood and her journeys as a mother, daughter, and writer, all beneath the specter of white supremacy, patriarchy, and domestic violence. Hailing from generations of hard-loving, bold, flawed Black women, McFadden’s recounting of their lives and intimacies is masterful and mesmerizing. Fueled by compassion and anger, resilience and curiosity, McFadden reveals family secrets, strivings, and struggles, against the backdrop of our country’s long legacy of racial injustice. Revelatory and enthralling, Firstborn Girls is an absolute treasure.”—Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

Best Memoir Ever! Seriously

I loveBernice McFaddens work and this was byfar the best book I had read this year. I felt like I knew all the people she wrote about and could relate. This book caused me to think and act.

First Born Girls

Loved the story subject and how well it flowed. Kept me captivated and intrigued to continue. The voice of the reader was also soothing

Amazing

This book was amazing from beginning to end. This story about first born daughters was so relatable for me .

Oh What A Read

This book spoke to my soul. I love how she told her truth entwining it with history. I felt her when she said I’m tired of not speaking the truth well something like that and starting speaking about the secrets in her family. Every family has skeletons in their closet. As a child we were took to not repeat anything and not to say what goes on in your home. This memoir was her truth! I love listening to how the narrator made each page come to life. You want be disappointed. A GREAT READ!!!!!

Great Read!

This is a deeply honest memoir that often reads like a conversation (I love those). The author gives such a transparent look into her life as the eldest daughter, the pressures of her family and love life, her responsibilities and her journey to becoming a writer. Throughout the book, she displays superb story-telling and vulnerability. This is definitely a well-written story that pulls the reader in and makes one excited for her wins. (And I also remembered seeing her brother on In Living Color and Martin). 😊

Wow! Felt like a movie.

Thank you for sharing so vunerablay and openly. Grateful for your strength and gifts that we get to witness.

Outstanding

this is one of the best memoirs that I've ever read. I felt so attached to the author and all of her family members. fantastic storytelling. Bernice McFadden is one of my favorite authors

Life and living

I enjoyed the story of these firstborn girls being a first born girl. As a black woman feeling all the feelings.

The tapestry that the author weaved as we journeyed though her life story.

This book is refreshing, a balm for my soul filled with all life gives us in every stage.

Loved every minute of this book

Bernice McFadden - I was waiting for this book and it did not disappoint. She is one of the best writers of our lifetime, and after reading this I understand her even better. Bravo!