'Allegedly' by Tiffany D. Jackson is a gripping and dark novel that follows the story of Mary, a teenager who was convicted of killing a baby at the age of nine. The book delves into the injustices of the penal system, tackling themes of abuse, group homes, teenage pregnancy, and the labels that young individuals struggle to escape. Through a series of twists and turns, the narrative questions Mary's guilt while exploring the challenges she faces in trying to prove her innocence and secure a future for herself and her unborn child.
The writing style of 'Allegedly' has been praised for its raw and honest portrayal of difficult subject matters. Readers have highlighted the book's ability to keep them on the edge of their seats, with a constant foreboding that adds to the suspense. The unreliable narrator, Mary, adds a layer of complexity to the storytelling, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read that delves into issues of memory, child incarceration, and the impact of a broken justice system on young lives.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains high triggers including child abuse, murder, mental illness, and discussions about systemic injustices.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in the book, primarily focused on Mary’s relationship with her boyfriend.
From The Publisher:
4 starred reviews!
Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer's Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut by Tiffany D. Jackson about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.
Mary B. Addison killed a baby.
Allegedly. She didn't say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: a white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it?
There wasn't a point to setting the record straight before, but now she's got Ted-and their unborn child-to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary's fate now lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But does anyone know the real Mary?
Ratings (15)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (6) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (43):
Read It (15) | |
Want To Read (25) | |
Not Interested (3) |
2 comment(s)
Loved this story. I was really shocked to see it was a debut ! I listened to the audiobook and recommend it !
Allegedly is the second book I've read by Tiffany D. Jackson, and let me just say that it was a trip. I think the book is a good commentary on how broken the justice system really is, especially for Brown and Black peoples. However, so many things happened in this book that I'm struggling to pinpoint what the overarching message was. All I can say is that Jackson is a master at writing imprisonment and entrapment to the extent that the reader also feels trapped.
Allegedly is arresting, but, overall, not my favorite book.
What can you read after
Allegedly?
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