The novel explores the emotional journey of a teenager named Lucille Odom as she navigates the complexities of her family falling apart. With her mother having left, her father in a state of confusion, and her older sister consumed by her own troubles, Lucille finds herself shouldering responsibilities beyond her years. Amidst the backdrop of her crumbling family life in the South, she grapples with the challenges of impending adulthood, the meaning of love, and the idea of what it truly means to be rich in life. Her resilience and introspection lead her to a deeper understanding of the bonds that hold her family together, even as they seem to fray.

The 4856th greatest book of all time