'No Small Thing' is a lyrical debut novel which explores motherhood and intergenerational trauma by following the lives of three Black women who spend a year living together: Livia, who walked out on her husband and daughter fifteen years ago; her daughter Mickey, who reluctantly turns up on Livia with nowhere else to go; and Mickey's ten-year-old daughter Summer who is constantly in trouble at school. The novel alternates between the perspectives of these three women as well as their upstairs neighbour Earl who observes 'Running Woman' (Livia), 'Firecracker' (Mickey) and 'the Child' (Summer) and gradually forming a bond with the latter.

This is a powerful but often uncomfortable and harrowing read which pulls no punches about the challenges its three protagonists face, from systemic racism to domestic abuse. As Summer's strict but supportive headteacher (also a Black woman) tells Mickey, "she's a Black child in a world which will judge and adultify her", something which Mickey understands all too well.

The opening chapter makes it clear that something terrible will happen at the end of the novel without explaining exactly what. Nonetheless, the novel offers tentative signs of hope beyond this tragedy through the bonds that are formed between some of the characters. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this novel to review.

It's poignant, emotionally charged, and often heartbreaking. Three generations, women who are wounded and facing something different in their life.
A moving story, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have just finished this, I am kind of bereft. This is a beautiful novel about mothers and daughters brimming with emotion and heart, frustration, hope and desire. A powerful and beautiful debut. Recommend.

4-4.5

I do not have the words to describe this book, or how I felt about it.
Just know, I was left at the end, a little bit broken, and with tears in my eyes

A stunning look at mothers and daughters. Heartbreaking and insightful written with true style. Told from multi characters in the first POV the daughter, the mother and the grandmother along with an outsider looking we go on a journey of year where see how the past affects the present and beyond. I found this book poignant a truly brilliant read that will stay with you. Powerful opening that sets the tone for the full novel.