Notes on Her Colour

Notes on Her Colour is a captivating read that transcends its exploration of race, delving into themes of familial bonds, the tempestuous nature of Florida, the entrancing pull of music, and the concept of code-switching in unexpected dimensions. Jennifer Neal crafts a narrative rich with pain, magic, love, and sorrow. As Sami Shah aptly states, "Read it twice, because a book like this comes along rarely."

"It wasn't long before my wet and sticky fascination with life beyond the walls of our home could be read all over my face like soot."

The novel conjures a vibrant and humid Florida, susceptible to devastating weather - a place where 'survival is a season'. This lush setting enhances a tale woven with trauma, grief, queer love, and sheer, uplifting joy, as described by Sonia Nair of Books + Publishing.

The protagonist, Gabrielle, inherits the extraordinary ability to change the colour of her skin from her mother, Tallulah. This power is kept under wraps within their home, rendered starkly white by Gabrielle's father, Robert. As a man of colour navigating the corporate world, Robert craves the refuge of a whitewashed domain, insisting that his family conforms to this monochrome existence.

Behind these white walls lie secrets. Unbeknownst to Robert, Tallulah carries a spectrum of spices clandestinely sewn into her handbag, and in his absence, she and Gabrielle indulge in the freedom to transform their skin into vivid, rebellious hues. Gabrielle's newfound passion for the piano offers her an additional avenue for expressing her identity, allowing her to find joy and acceptance independent of her mother. As Gabrielle explores the world beyond her family’s constructed façade, Tallulah observes her daughter’s journey.

Notes on Her Colour is an imaginative exploration where the surreal intertwines with the kitsch of Florida. It examines the dynamics of a family fractured by racial violence in North America. It's a glistening, acerbically witty narrative concerning race, privilege, music, and queerness.

Ultimately, this is a story about a mother, illustrated through the eyes of her daughter.