Family Spirit

A Novel

By: Diane McKinney-Whetstone

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

Diane McKinney-Whetstone’s latest character-rich, page-turner blends her signature style with a little magic in her depiction of the Maces, a vibrant family of Philadelphia clairvoyants with issues.

Ayana has inherited the Knowing gene that the Maces believe have been passed down to at least one girl child in every generation from as far back as they can trace. But her mother has tried to convince her that she is nothing like those weird Mace women. To keep the peace, Ayana lies to everyone--to the Maces, insisting she’s never felt a Knowing, to her mother about participating in the rituals, and to herself about her relationship with a man who helps her recover time and time again from the mania she experiences after seeing into the future. Ayana’s aunt Lil, banned from the Mace home decades ago after violating a sacred vow, has returned to Philadelphia for a medical procedure. She settles into the chaos of her brother’s home where Ayana, a failing college senior, has also returned.

After a harrowing premonition, Ayana must decide whether to deepen family schisms by enlisting her aunt’s help, even as she learns the shocking details of Lil’s breech.

Meanwhile Nona, becomes more of a participant than creator as her own drama is deftly interspersed throughout, as she too yields to the power of the Mace family and its indomitable spirit.

Enjoyed Listening But Not Enough Family Spirit For Me

I’m going to always Love a Diane McKinney Whetstone book. I love how she weaves Philly into her writing. DMW, never fails painting the beauty of Philadelphia into her writings. I love being taken there.
However, even with the Philly visits I found this one difficult to keep track of who was whom. I kept having to restart each chapter to see who was whom and who was doing the narrating. This one left me confused. Who was Grandma GiGi? The Aunties and these strong women. I also found the timeline was confusing as well. Overall this one left me wanting for the sequel.

All over the place

Timeline and introducing too many short-term characters with not enough background to bring story together.