Firstborn Girls

In Firstborn Girls, award-winning author Bernice McFadden presents an intimate memoir that delves into inherited trauma, family secrets, and the profound love between mothers and daughters. Starting with her miraculous survival from a car crash on her second birthday, McFadden recounts her journey from a tumultuous childhood in 1980s Brooklyn to her path as a celebrated novelist, exploring the influences of literary icons like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Interwoven with her narrative is the rich history of her family, tracing back to her great-grandmother, whose legacy of resilience and wisdom shapes McFadden's identity and aspirations. This memoir offers a powerful portrait of a life deeply connected to the past and the enduring bonds of family.