Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Another Brooklyn summary
Brief summary
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson is a poignant novel that follows the story of four young girls growing up in 1970s Brooklyn. It explores themes of friendship, memory, and the complexities of urban life.
Topics
Table of Contents
Another Brooklyn
Summary of key ideas
Exploring the Complexities of Friendship
In Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson, we are introduced to August, a woman who returns to Brooklyn after many years for her father's funeral. This visit triggers a flood of memories from her childhood, particularly her early teenage years when she moved to Brooklyn with her father and brother after her mother's death. The story revolves around the friendships she formed during this time, and the complexities that came with them.
August's first friend in Brooklyn is Sylvia, a confident and street-smart girl who introduces her to the neighborhood's harsh realities. They soon meet Angela and Gigi, and the four girls form a tight-knit group. They navigate the challenges of adolescence together, from dealing with boys and puberty to coping with the loss of innocence. Despite their different backgrounds, they find solace in each other's company.
The Dark Side of Brooklyn
Woodson paints a vivid picture of 1970s Brooklyn, a place marked by racial tensions, poverty, and violence. The girls' lives are deeply affected by these harsh realities. Sylvia, for instance, is a victim of sexual abuse, and Angela's mother is mentally unstable. Gigi, on the other hand, is the only one with a stable family life, but she is haunted by the fear of losing it.
As the girls grow older, they begin to understand the limitations of their environment. They realize that their dreams might not come true, and their friendship might not be enough to shield them from the harsh realities of life. Despite their efforts to stay together, they eventually drift apart, each following a different path.
Coming to Terms with the Past
Throughout Another Brooklyn, August grapples with her past, trying to make sense of the events that shaped her. She reflects on her father's struggle to raise her and her brother alone, her mother's untimely death, and the disintegration of her childhood friendships. These memories are bittersweet, filled with both joy and pain.
As the story progresses, we see August's journey to adulthood. She becomes a successful anthropologist, but her past continues to haunt her. She realizes that she can never fully escape the memories of her childhood, nor does she want to. Instead, she learns to embrace her past, acknowledging that it has made her who she is.
Embracing the Power of Memory
In the end, Another Brooklyn is a poignant exploration of memory and its impact on our lives. Woodson beautifully captures the essence of girlhood, the power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. She reminds us that our past, no matter how painful, is an integral part of our identity.
As August leaves Brooklyn once again, she carries with her the memories of her friends and the experiences that shaped her. She understands that while she might have left Brooklyn physically, it will always remain a part of her, a place that shaped her in ways she could never have imagined.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Another Brooklyn about?
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson is a poignant novel that delves into the complexities of friendship, memory, and coming of age. Set in 1970s Brooklyn, it follows the life of August as she reflects on her childhood and the inseparable bond she shared with her group of friends. Woodson's lyrical prose beautifully captures the essence of friendship and the bittersweet realities of growing up.
Another Brooklyn Review
Another Brooklyn (2016) by Jacqueline Woodson is a captivating coming-of-age novel that explores themes of friendship, love, loss, and identity. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through vivid and poetic language, it beautifully portrays the complexities of growing up in 1970s Brooklyn, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.
- The author masterfully weaves together the narrator's memories, allowing readers to reflect on their own experiences and emotions, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia and empathy.
- With its sensitive exploration of race, gender, and sexuality, the book provides thought-provoking insights into the challenges faced by young girls navigating their way through adolescence.
Who should read Another Brooklyn?
- People who enjoy literary fiction with a focus on female friendships
- Readers who appreciate lyrical and evocative writing
- Those interested in exploring themes of memory, identity, and belonging
Categories with Another Brooklyn
Book summaries like Another Brooklyn
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Another Brooklyn FAQs
What is the main message of Another Brooklyn?
The main message of Another Brooklyn is the resilience and power of female friendship in the face of adversity.
How long does it take to read Another Brooklyn?
The reading time for Another Brooklyn varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Another Brooklyn a good book? Is it worth reading?
Another Brooklyn is a beautiful and poignant novel that captivates readers with its lyrical prose and heartfelt exploration of friendship and identity.
Who is the author of Another Brooklyn?
Jacqueline Woodson is the author of Another Brooklyn.
What to read after Another Brooklyn?
If you're wondering what to read next after Another Brooklyn, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens
- In Pursuit of the Unknown by Ian Stewart
- The Sleepwalkers by Christopher Clark
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
- ISIS by Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan
- Bloodlands by Timothy Snyder
- Gutenberg the Geek by Jeff Jarvis
- The True Believer by Eric Hoffer
- Genome by Matt Ridley