Description: In this atmospheric novel set in the Jim Crow South, a powerful Black family fights to protect their empire--an "unforgettable must-read" for readers of Tayari Jones (Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling author).
Jordan Sable, a prosperous undertaker turned political boss, has controlled the Black vote in St. Louis for decades. Sara, his equally formidable wife, runs the renowned funeral establishment that put the Sable name on the map. Together they have pushed through obstacles in order to create a legacy for their children. When tragedy bursts their carefully constructed empire of dignity and safety, the family rallies around an unconventional solution. But at what cost? Set in the Midwest in the 1940s, The Sable Cloak is a rarely seen portrait of an upper middle class, African American family in the pre-Civil Rights era. This deeply personal novel inspired by the author's own family history delves into legacy and the stories we tell ourselves, and celebrates a largely self-sustaining, culturally rich Missouri community that most Americans may not be aware of.Review Quotes: "The Sable Cloak is an exquisite story about the Black middle class in the 1940s and it has a pulse that rings steady and strong, making it a real page-turner. It is both bold and imaginative with characters who leapt off the page and into my heart. A fascinating piece of historical fiction that visits Black wealth, politics, love, and the ability to choose one's own destiny and protect your legacy. A must read."--Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve