The Hurston-Wright Award Finalist makes her long-awaited return with this electrifying sagaas moving and indelible as The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, The Turner House, and The Love Songs of W. E. B. DuBoisthat explores three generations of a family trying to overcome trials and trauma and free themselves from the darkness of the past.
Lottie Rebecca Lee is spoken into the world in Fayetteville, North Carolina by a Black nurse who declares, Lord Jesus, if that aint the blackest little baby born this side of heaven. Later, Lottie will prove that she is the ancestors promise to unearth the Mississippi and Ghanaian atrocities that have tormented Benjamin Lee, her grandfather who was born during the Great Depression in Mississippis red clay tobacco fields, and Benjamin Junior, his son and Lottie Rebeccas father, born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the post Korean War GI Bill promises prosperity. These two generations of men are haunted by the Mother-Spirit who did not survive enslavements post-traumatic stress violence. Trinity is the riveting story of the daughter-spirit born to stitch love back into the scattered wombs of her Black mothers and call love back into the fishing blues songs of her Black male kin. Lottie Rebecca Lee is the Divine spirited daughter born to set everything back up right again, in this daringly original novel.
Dive into the heart of a family's enduring struggle with Zelda Lockhart's powerful and evocative novel, "Trinity: A Novel." A Hurston-Wright Legacy Award Finalist, Lockhart returns with a sweeping, multi-generational saga that echoes the profound themes of resilience and healing found in acclaimed works like "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie," "The Turner House," and "The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois." This is more than just a story; it's an exploration of generational trauma, the enduring strength of Black womanhood, and the transformative power of love. Set against the backdrop of the American South, "Trinity" introduces us to Lottie Rebecca Lee, a child born with a destiny to unravel the deeply rooted pain that has haunted her family for generations. From the red clay tobacco fields of Mississippi, where her grandfather Benjamin Lee endured the hardships of the Great Depression, to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where her father, Benjamin Junior, grapples with the broken promises of the post-Korean War era, Lottie's lineage is steeped in hardship. The men in her family are shadowed by the specter of the "Mother-Spirit," a woman lost to the brutal realities of post-slavery trauma, leaving a void that echoes through their lives. But Lottie is different. She is the "daughter-spirit," the one destined to mend the fragmented pieces of her family's past. Her journey is one of unearthing hidden truths, confronting the legacies of slavery and violence, and stitching love back into the lives of her Black mothers and fathers. Through Lockhart's lyrical prose and deeply empathetic storytelling, we witness Lottie's evolution as she confronts the Mississippi and Ghanaian atrocities that have been haunting her family, and ultimately reclaims their story. "Trinity" is a testament to the strength of Black women, the enduring spirit of Black men, and the profound ability of love to heal even the deepest wounds. Lockhart crafts a narrative rich in historical detail, capturing the essence of Southern Black life across decades. The novel explores themes of identity, family secrets, the search for belonging, and the persistent echoes of the past. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, prompting reflection on the enduring impact of history and the transformative power of hope. Fans of family sagas, historical fiction, and women's fiction will find themselves captivated by the intricate relationships, vibrant characters, and ultimately uplifting message of "Trinity." Prepare to be moved by this daringly original novel that confirms Zelda Lockhart's place as a vital voice in contemporary literature.