The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: An Oprah's Book Club Pick (Oprahs Book Club 2.0)

"The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois," an Oprah's Book Club selection and National Book Critics Circle Award Winner for Fiction, explores the profound journey of one American family's legacy from the colonial slave trade to the present day. This magisterial epic, authored by an NAACP Image Award-winning poet in her fiction debut, masterfully intertwines the lives of Ailey Pearl Garfield and her ancestors, weaving a tapestry rich with the history of racial, indigenous, and gender injustices. Ailey, named after significant Black American figures, grapples with W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of "Double Consciousness" throughout her life, as she seeks to reconcile her identity amidst the lingering shadows of trauma and the powerful voices of the women in her lineage. Set against the backdrop of historical and contemporary America, this novel invites readers, particularly those at the college level studying social justice, to reflect on the enduring impact of the past on our present and the intricate melodies of struggle and resilience that compose the American experience. Released on August 24, 2021, this narrative not only captivates but also educates, urging a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities of racial justice, indigenous rights, and gender equality.