My neighborhood had our monthly book club last week. The host chooses a few options, the group votes, and everyone settles in for a shared read. I was excited when Kin by Tayari Jones was selected because it had been sitting on my to-be-read list for quite some time.
At its core, Kin is a multigenerational story centered around family, identity, class, loyalty and the complicated ways love can shape us. Set against the backdrop of the American South, the novel explores the lives of African American families across different social and economic classes, weaving together relationships, expectations and long-held tensions.
For me, this was one of those books that started stronger than it finished. I was very drawn in at the beginning, but as the story progressed, I found myself dropping a “star” from my rating. There were still moments I genuinely loved and characters I became invested in, but overall it never fully came together in the way I hoped it would.
I especially appreciated the way the novel explored the differences within the African American community itself. Too often books flatten those experiences into one narrative, and Kin allowed space for different family dynamics, different levels of wealth and opportunity, and different expectations placed on each generation.
That said, the ending felt extremely abrupt to me, while the middle started to drag on. I kept expecting one more chapter, one more conversation, one more moment of closure. There were storylines and emotional threads that felt unfinished, and I walked away wanting more.
Joette was also a difficult character for me. While I understood her love and concern, it often felt controlling rather than supportive. I found myself repeatedly wishing she would step back and allow Nicey the freedom to make her own choices and find happiness on her own terms. At times, her love felt more rooted in fear and control than trust.
Still, even with those frustrations, I am glad I read it. It sparked meaningful discussion and gave our group plenty to talk about, which is really the mark of a worthwhile book club selection.
Have you read Kin? I would love to know where you landed on Joette… and whether the ending worked for you.
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