Three Girls from Bronzeville

A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood

By: Dawn Turner

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times and Washington Post Notable Book

A Best Book of 2021 by BuzzFeed and Real Simple

An “unmissable” (Vogue), “exceptional” (The Washington Post), and “evocative” (Chicago Tribune) memoir about three Black girls from the storied Bronzeville section of Chicago that offers a penetrating exploration of race, opportunity, friendship, sisterhood, and the powerful forces at work that allow some to flourish…and others to falter.

They were three Black girls. Dawn, tall and studious; her sister, Kim, younger by three years and headstrong as they come; and her best friend, Debra, already prom-queen pretty by third grade. They bonded—fervently and intensely in that unique way of little girls—as they roamed the concrete landscape of Bronzeville, a historic neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, the destination of hundreds of thousands of Black folks who fled the ravages of the Jim Crow South.

These third-generation daughters of the Great Migration come of age in the 1970s, in the warm glow of the recent civil rights movement. It has offered them a promise, albeit nascent and fragile, that they will have more opportunities, rights, and freedoms than any generation of Black Americans in history. Their working-class, striving parents are eager for them to realize this hard-fought potential. But the girls have much more immediate concerns: hiding under the dining room table and eavesdropping on grown folks’ business; collecting secret treasures; and daydreaming about their futures—Dawn and Debra, doctors, Kim a teacher. For a brief, wondrous moment the girls are all giggles and dreams and promises of “friends forever.” And then fate intervenes, first slowly and then dramatically, sending them careening in wildly different directions. There’s heartbreak, loss, displacement, and even murder. Dawn struggles to make sense of the shocking turns that consume her sister and her best friend, all the while asking herself a simple but profound question: Why?

In the vein of The Other Wes Moore and The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, Three Girls from Bronzeville is a “deeply personal” (Real Simple) memoir that chronicles Dawn’s attempt to find answers. It’s at once a celebration of sisterhood and friendship, a testimony to the unique struggles of Black women, and a tour-de-force about the complex interplay of race, class, and opportunity, and how those forces shape our lives and our capacity for resilience and redemption.

©2021 Dawn Turner. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

A New York Times and Washington Post Notable Book

A Best Book of 2021 by BuzzFeed and Real Simple

My home!

love it! I'm from bronzeville. I remembered everything was said in this book. Gina

A glimpse into a life worth sharing

Dawn Turner does a fantastic job of sharing her memoir about life, love and the meaning of true friendships. Must read!!

It Can Happen Anywhere

This book was beautifully written and narrated. Couldn’t put it down. Must read Turner’s other books.

Fulfilling in every way

I’m embarrassed to admit that in spite of her exceptional accomplishments and status as a journalist & author, I wasn’t familiar with Dawn Turner prior to reading this book. Now I cannot wait to dig into her other work!
This book was the whole package for me: A poignant story of home and the bonds that come from growing up together, masterfully written with heart and skill. Ms. Turner’s descriptive language is second to none! With it, she created such a sensory rich experience for me, the reader/listener, that the story of these three women will forever be with me. And I’m glad of it!
Gratitude and admiration to Janina Edwards, Narrator, whose talent did justice to this wonderful book.

Sister-Friends

This was a great “listen” while driving and taking my daily walks. The emotional roller coaster of family and friendships resonated—although I’ve never lost a sister or friend as described here, I could relate to heartache from loss and still trying to keep it all together. The tie that binds and the intricacies of family and friends makes this a great book because the characters here are any of us on any given day. Awesome!

Captivating, in a Every-Day-Life Way

I found this book to be very captivating, not in an action way, I wasn't at the edge of my seat at any time, but in a normal, every day life way. When you lean in with your friend and they tell you a very personal story, kinda way.
They picked the right story teller, her voice is smooth and comforting, it's as if it is her own.
I couldn't put the audio away I started, what 2 days ago, and I wrapped it up already.
I found it relatable, even though we are worlds a part and found myself teary eyed, like her aunt Doris. Yet, at times I also chuckled. I am grateful to the author for sharing her story.

Awesome

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s so relatable and being from that south side of Chicago I feel like no was waking down those very same streets. I could not stop listening

My first audio book

I love books that offer real life stories and this one was great! 10/10 I would recommend to anyone. I found myself laughing and crying as I listened. The narrator is great too at capturing the emotion of the author's words.

Great Memoir and Narrator

This is a very well written and interesting memoir. Bronzeville in Chicago is a fairly unique place and Turner’s book captures it brilliantly. Turner also gives an accurate account of growing up in a big midwestern city during the late 60’s/early 70’s. The book was hard to put down. I HIGHLY recommend Three Girls from Bronzeville!

You Will Love This Book

Beautifully written memories of days gone by, growing up and beyond. The book communicates to every one human. You will love listening to these stories. The narration is lovely. Wish it had been 100 hours long. Communication skills are magical. You will live that life too.