Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

Book Review

If you’re a fan of memoirs and/or ownvoices, this is a must read!

I finished this book several weeks ago, but I haven’t stopped thinking about it. In her powerful debut book, Ashley C. Ford beautifully writes about coming-of-age in America while her father is incarcerated.

As a young Black girl struggling with poverty and puberty, the author recounts both the joys and traumas that defined her adolescence. From the unwanted male attention that accompanies her changing body and a sexual assault by someone that claims to love her to a challenging relationship with her mother and a heartfelt look into fatherly love despite unforgivable crimes, no topic is off limits in this revelatory story.

I think the most fascinating part of the book for me was the exploration into the author’s complicated relationship with her father. As a child, the author remained unaware of the reason for her father’s imprisonment. However, once she discovers the truth about the heinous crimes he committed, she is forced to reconcile her love for her father with the knowledge of his unforgivable transgressions. I found this particular issue incredibly fascinating, as it perfectly highlights the fact that people are more than just one thing….a person who commits a horrible crime is still capable of loving his/her family.

I included this book in my “Great books for book clubs” post earlier this week, as I have no doubt it will inspire many thoughtful conversations. This is a book that will force you to put yourself in the author’s shoes and reflect on the injustices that she experiences as a young Black woman in America.

I listened to this one on audio, which I highly recommend, as it’s narrated by the author and you can feel the emotion in her voice as she reads her words.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

TW: Rape, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, toxic relationship, death, grief

What’s the most fascinating memoir you’ve read recently??