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Caucasia: A Novel Paperback – February 1, 1999

by Danzy Senna (Author)
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From the author of New People and Colored Television, the extraordinary national bestseller that launched Danzy Senna’s literary career

“Superbly illustrates the emotional toll that politics and race take … Haunting.” —The New York Times Book Review

Birdie and Cole are the daughters of a black father and a white mother, intellectuals and activists in the Civil Rights Movement in 1970s Boston. The sisters are so close that they speak their own language, yet Birdie, with her light skin and straight hair, is often mistaken for white, while Cole is dark enough to fit in with the other kids at school. Despite their differences, Cole is Birdie’s confidant, her protector, the mirror by which she understands herself. Then their parents’ marriage collapses. One night Birdie watches her father and his new girlfriend drive away with Cole. Soon Birdie and her mother are on the road as well, drifting across the country in search of a new home. But for Birdie, home will always be Cole. Haunted by the loss of her sister, she sets out a desperate search for the family that left her behind.

A modern classic, Caucasia is at once a powerful coming of age story and a groundbreaking work on identity and race in America.
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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 1, 1999
  4. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1573227161
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1573227162
  7. See all details
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From the Publisher

From award-winning and bestselling author, Danzy Senna: CAUCASIA

Haunting and deeply intelligent, says THE NEW YORK TIMES

A stunning debut says THE BOSTON GLOBE about CAUCASIA by Danzy Senna

As taut and fast-paced as a thriller, says The Washington Post Book World

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lucid and magnificent."—James McBride, author of The Color of Water



"The visual conundrums woven through Danzy Senna's remarkable first novel [will] cling to your memory. There's Birdie, who takes after her mother's white, New England side of the family—light skin, straight hair. There's her big sister, Cole, who takes after her father, a radical black intellectual. It's the early seventies, and black-power politics divide their parents, who divide the sisters; Cole disappears with their father, and Birdie goes underground with their mother...Senna tells this coming-of-age tale with impressive beauty and power."—Newsweek



"[An] absorbing debut novel...Senna superbly illustrates the emotional toll that politics and race take on one especially gutsy young girl's development as she makes her way through the parallel limbos between black and white and between girl and young woman...Senna gives new meaning to the twin universal desires for a lost childhood and a new adult self by recounting Birdie's struggle to become someone when she can look and act like anyone."—The New York Times Book Review



"Extraordinary...A cross between Mona Simpson's Anywhere But Here and James McBride's The Color of Water, this story of a young girl's struggle—to find her family, her roots, her identity—transcends race even while examining it. A compelling look at being black and being white, Caucasia deserves to be read all over."—Glamour



"Brilliant...a finely nuanced story that explores the matter of race through the eyes and heart of another white black girl."—Ms.



"Senna brings an accomplished voice to this vivid coming-of-age tale, offering images sweet and sorrowful of a child caught on the fault line between races."—USA Today

About the Author

Danzy Senna is the author of five previous books, including the bestselling Caucasia and, most recently, New People. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, she teaches writing at the University of Southern California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Books; Edition Unstated (February 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1573227161
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1573227162
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Danzy Senna

Danzy Senna

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
589 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline engaging, riveting, and breathtaking. They also describe the reading experience as amazing and well-written. Readers also find the racial issues interesting and empathetic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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StorylineReading experienceWriting styleRacial issuesCharacters
21 customers mention "Storyline"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the storyline engaging, interesting, and immersive. They also appreciate the strong protagonist whose strength and vulnerability carry the narrative. Readers say the book is thoughtful, readable, and riveting. They say it's a slice of American history and makes for a good discussion.

"...The understanding that I've gotten from this book is eye-opening. The entertainment, meanwhile, is completely immersive...." Read more

"...been her very first book the writing was brilliant and the storytelling was captivating...." Read more

"The introductory part of the plot is intriguing and I enjoyed learning about the main character and her unique background...." Read more

"An amazing story and beautiful ending." Read more

17 customers mention "Reading experience"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an amazing read.

"...It is simply one hell of a read." Read more

"...I just finished reading Caucasia and it was one of the best books I have ever read. I am recommending it to everyone...." Read more

"Awesome novel, takes you back in time with interesting look at race relations." Read more

"Engaging, and kept me reading, but I wish the overall tone had been somewhat more hopeful...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style of the book well-written.

"This is an engaging story, well written, that keeps you hooked right the way through it...." Read more

"...For it to have been her very first book the writing was brilliant and the storytelling was captivating...." Read more

"...I know it is a slice of American history and is written easy to read. I am a non-white, naturalized citizen of USA over 35 years." Read more

"...It is intelligently written...." Read more

6 customers mention "Racial issues"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, nuanced, and empathetic. They also say it takes them back in time with an interesting look at race relations.

"...Caucasia is a compelling and nuanced coming-of-age story about race, identity and family amid the backdrop of 1970s-1980s America...." Read more

"...'s characters are human and flawed in a way that makes them identifiable and empathetic, even when it is sometimes difficult to like them." Read more

"Great story maintained throughout the book. Good insights into black life among whites and white life among blacks." Read more

"Awesome novel, takes you back in time with interesting look at race relations." Read more

3 customers mention "Characters"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book human and flawed.

"...I felt very close to the characters. Anyway, I can't wait until my friends and family tell me how they felt about it...." Read more

"...Birdie is a strong protagonist whose strength and vulnerability carry the narrative...." Read more

"...Beautifully executed, Senna's characters are human and flawed in a way that makes them identifiable and empathetic, even when it is sometimes..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked on the characters and story. Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is an engaging story, well written, that keeps you hooked right the way through it. Most of the characters are people I have known in my life -- so much better defined that I ever knew. After reading this I remember those people very differently. Learn what you didn't know about what you didn't know. This is the best book I've read that told me what a tangle "race" is in the lives of those who aren't white. (I put "race" in quotes because I have believed that race is not based on anything but a cultural construct. I've learned something and gotten some understanding about that perception, too.)
The understanding that I've gotten from this book is eye-opening. The entertainment, meanwhile, is completely immersive. I didn't want it to end, I wanted it to go on and on.
2 people found this helpful
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Cheryl
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2011
Verified Purchase
I have to give Ms. Senna respect for this book. For it to have been her very first book the writing was brilliant and the storytelling was captivating. This is truly a coming of age tale that shouldn't be skipped out on as a reader. I felt a lot of times I was right there in the moment with the characters in every setting. The Birdie Lee character really touched my heart in more ways than one. She was the perfect survivor and I'll go as far as saying a heroine. My only knock on the book I'm use to many reads of mine having a resolve at the end. When it came to Birdie's mother I would had liked to know what she was running from. However I'm sure the author wanted to leave that open ended for the readers to decide for themselves why Birdie's mother went on the run. Other than that, I would highly recommend to all individuals, particularly those who take sociology course(s) in college or reading for the pure enjoyment. It is simply one hell of a read.
5 people found this helpful
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Deborah Klein
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Hi,
I just finished reading Caucasia and it was one of the best books I have ever read. I am recommending it to everyone. There were only two drawbacks in the book. One is that the parents were cursing in front of the children and the children never responded and I felt more could have been done with the end of the book. It was very predictable. The book was about an interracial family in the first person of the daughter named Birdie.When I read the book the feelings I felt were similar to the ones I felt when I read The Kiterunner. I felt very close to the characters. Anyway, I can't wait until my friends and family tell me how they felt about it. My cousin says she wants to read this and possibly use it for her book club.
4 people found this helpful
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dram
3.0 out of 5 stars It's Okay
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2012
Verified Purchase
The introductory part of the plot is intriguing and I enjoyed learning about the main character and her unique background. However....it seems that about 2/3rds of the way through the plot seems to unravel. At that point I was completely lost and had no idea where the story was going. I became bored and no longer felt interested in her story. I was initially hooked on because I was wanted to read about the experience of being mixed-race, but the story turns into a 5th grade reading level, coming-of-age story about a girl whose parents are separated.
Kind of disappointing.
7 people found this helpful
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Tara Saluja
4.0 out of 5 stars wild ride
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
Although it started off a bit slow- she painted a vivid picture of the struggles they were going through as a family and a society which quickly turned into a wild and traumatizing ride with her mother
A rewarding emotional ending
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Shek
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
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An amazing story and beautiful ending.
One person found this helpful
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Joan Winnek
5.0 out of 5 stars biracialism
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2008
Verified Purchase
This excellent novel provides insight into issues of race and biracialism, of particular interest in this presidential election.

Barack Obama has addressed some of the complications--there is much more to be said.

I read a library copy for my book club, but ordered this for a neighbor, who has just completed her junior year of high school, whose father is white and mother is black (British). I have known her and her older sister since they were born. Both know the complexities of their mixed heritage. This is one book that doesn't gloss over that.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Maria Holmgren Troy
5.0 out of 5 stars prompt delivery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
The book arrived and pretty much matches the description so no complaints.
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パインジャム
3.0 out of 5 stars It wasn’t a brand new book
Reviewed in Japan on May 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
It doesn’t matter anymore since I already started reading, but I received the book as “used”.
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