I came to The Davenports, written by Krystal Marquis, after seeing clip after clip of The Gilded Age on IG. The drama, the lavishness, the wealth, and the rigid societal rules drew me in. And I’m so glad it did. This novel’s heart is its historical depth.

Set in a time when Black folks were forging futures between the lingering pain of slavery and the tightening grip of Jim Crow, the story follows a wealthy Black family in Chicago who own and operate a carriage business, and their three children, trying to make sense of societal demands in relation to their own personal desires. All successful, respected, yet trying to forge a future for the generations to come.

One line that stuck with me early on captures that shadow beneath success: “Olivia remembered the moment she’d realized that every Black person she knew was touched by the horror of slavery. Sometimes Olivia felt it like a wound hidden deep under smooth skin—one that she didn’t remember receiving, but that ached nonetheless.” Wonderfully written and eloquently conveying both the pain and hope of this time.

If you finish this book wanting more (you will), I strongly recommend More Than This, the second book in this series. It draws you even deeper into the world of the Davenport family, society, pressure, and promise.

The word on the street is that The Davenports is going from page to popcorn! If the rumors are true, seeing this on this big screen is going to be rich and powerful!

Trip Summary: This was a story that drew me in from the very beginning. Five passport stamps ⭐ 5️⃣.

~ RR