The Blackwoods

By: Brandy Colbert

Narrated by: Alaska Jackson

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

From Boston Globe/Horn Book Award-winning author Brandy Colbert comes the story of four generations of a Hollywood family—an unforgettable tale of ambition, fame, struggle, loss, and love in America.

The Blackwoods. Everyone knows their name.

Blossom Blackwood burst onto the silver screen in 1962, and in the decades that followed, she would become one of the most celebrated actors of our time—and the matriarch of the most famous Black family in Hollywood. To her great-granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, she has always just been Bebe. And when she passes away, it changes everything.

Hollis Blackwood was never interested in fame. Still, she’s surrounded by it, whether at home with her family or at the prestigious Dupree Academy among Los Angeles’ elite. When private photos of Hollis are leaked in the wake of Blossom’s death, she is thrust into the spotlight she’s long avoided—and finds that trust may be a luxury even she can’t afford.

Ardith Blackwood has always lived in the public eye. A television star since childhood, she was perhaps closer with Blossom than anyone—especially after Ardith’s mother died in a drug overdose. Ever since, she has worked to be everything her family, her church, and the public want her to be. But as a family secret comes to light and the pressures from all sides begin to mount, she wonders what is left beneath the face she shows the world.

Weaving together the narratives of Hollis, Ardith, and Blossom, award-winning author Brandy Colbert tells an unforgettable story set in an America where everything is personal, and nothing is private.

©2023 Brandy Colbert (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Epic Story and Fantastic Narration!

I am an avid reader but new to listening to a book. After this I would listen to anything Alaska Jackson read aloud! Brandy Colbert has a hit with this multi- generational story that caught me from page one.

A seamless balance of fiction and historical accuracy.

I enjoyed how the story weaved between the past and present, and gave you a clear and complete picture of who this family is

Fabulous!!

What a great story about the struggle of black talent in Hollywood!! It was touching, sad, beautiful and joyous. The back forth from Past to Present gave such a great view of the connection and legacy of this family. Sad that it’s come to an end! Fabulous just absolute fabulous story telling! And the narrator… another WIN by Alaska Jackson! She was the perfect narrator for this story and told it with such character and dedication! Love love love it and her !!

Loved all of this book

I loved the storyline. How it told Blossom’s story while telling her family. Michael is on my list. This is a good read/listen. Worth it.

Confusing narration

2.5 STARS rounded up to three

THE BLACKWOODS are Black Hollywood royalty, not unlike the Barrymore family, with a generational history of performers. Told in the points of view of Blossom, who started in Black Vaudeville and her granddaughters Ardith, a teen actress and Hollis, a student. Blossom’s portions are from a historical fiction perspective and the teens from a contemporary POV.

Blossom’s chapters, while historically accurate for the times seem to involve twenty first century thinking. Her character’s emotionally journey didn’t feel as realistic as the historical content. Still, they were enjoyable.

Both Hollis’s and Ardith’s journeys were unremarkable but for their family’s history.

THE BLACKWOODS is a slice of life, character driven tale, so not much happens. The audiobook narration made following the story a bit difficult. The male and female voices all sounded female, so in dialogue I was often confused on who was speaking. Some of the character names were unisex, so with the genders sounding the same, I needed 1/2 the book to remember Matty wasn’t a girl named Maddy.

Bottom line, THE BLACKWOODS is a very good book that could have been great.